A year has gone by since we last caught up with Warren G, after the death of his longtime friend and collaborator, Nate Dogg. Over that period of time, Warren’s been busy laying down tracks and preparing for the release of the Warren G & Nate Dogg EP he spoke about in our last interview.
With the release of the EP nearing, AllHipHop.com caught up with Long Beach’s G-Funk maestro, for an update on all the music projects he’s been involved in, and even those erectile dysfunction pills that he was pushing last year. The G-Funk Era lives on!
AllHipHop.com: We spoke to you around this time last year after Nate Dogg passed away. How has life been for you since then?
Warren G: It’s been cool. I’m still missing my homeboy, but it’s been cool. I’ve been working in the studio doing a lot of production and working on the EP that’s coming. I released a new mixtape called No One Could Do It Better. I wanted people to hear some songs that they may not have heard before. I put together songs that me, Nate and Snoop Dogg did together just to give the new generation an introduction to the good music that we made. This way they are not asking, “Who is Warren G?”
AllHipHop.com: So this is just a collection of old tracks?
Warren G: No, some stuff is exclusive. Overall, I’m just putting it out to let people get that “good feeling” music that you can chill and smoke to.
AllHipHop.com: I can’t recall you ever putting out a mixtape before.
Warren G: Never. Actually, you know what? This is the second time that I have. I didn’t put it out myself, but I did one with a cat who’s name I can’t remember. Things didn’t turn out right so people didn’t really get it, but it was off the chain. I remade some of those records but I haven’t put those out.
AllHipHop.com: Do you have an update on the EP that you’re putting out with Nate Dogg?
Warren G: I’m just about finished. I’m waiting for Young Jeezy to put his 16 bars on. I’m pretty much done after that. The single is already mixed and ready to go. The date I’m looking to drop the EP is April 17.
AllHipHop.com: That soon?
Warren G: Yeah, that soon. I just want everybody to get ready because it’s going down this month, for real.
AllHipHop.com: You mentioned Young Jeezy. Are there any other guests on this EP?
Warren G: There’s Too $hort, E-40, Game, and Bun-B. That’s about it.
AllHipHop.com: That’s a nice little lineup. What’s the EP’s name?
Warren G: It’s called No One Could Do It Better, just like the mixtape. I’m releasing this independently via digital outlets. I may end up doing a physical deal for it also, but it’s going to be digital. People aren’t even going into stores to buy CDs. I know the ones that do love to buy CDs will be upset, but they have to understand that most of the records now are being sold digitally. I’m going to eventually make it possible for the ones that want to get it physically.
Right after that, I’m dropping Regulate – The G-Funk Era Part 2 – The EP. It’s going to be mainly me, but I will have some great appearances on there. I’m just doing the live music like I do it.
AllHipHop.com: G-Funk Era Part 2 is going to be an EP and not an album?
Warren G: It’s an EP, but depending on how well it does, I’ll do a sequel to that which will be a full album. My thing is that I go so hard and put my heart in to what I do. My first dealings as an Independent artist weren’t good. I poured my heart in to a lot of stuff and it didn’t get pushed like it was supposed to. I don’t want to go through that again, even though I’m more knowledgeable of how this goes now.
I’ve also got a bunch of young artists that I’m working with. I’m doing a compilation called The Westside Story. That album is going to be my Chronic. It’s going to be a display of my production with top notch artists and singers. I just want to do some great music. That’s what it’s all about for me. I want the music to make people feel good because that’s what it does for me. It makes me feel good to see an audience of people singing my song. That’s what I get out of it. I love it because they feel me and understand my story.
AllHipHop.com: When you are not producing, what is your life like?
Warren G: When I’m not producing, I’m with my kids. I’ve got three boys and two girls. I try to be with them as much as I can, because I’m out on the road so much. I do try to make every important event that I can. When I don’t, my wife takes care of that. I’m always out on the road too. You’ve got to provide. You can’t just sit at home. This is a job and you’ve got to be able to put food on the table.
AllHipHop.com: Which artists have you produced for lately?
Warren G: I just did Young Jeezy’s first single with Ne-Yo called “Leave You Alone.” I also did one with E-40 called “What Happened To Them Days.” I’ve also made tracks for Styles P and Tone Trump. Actually, I did five hot ones for Tone Trump’s new project. Let’s see, who else? I gave Young Jeezy some more tracks, and I sent some to Game too.
AllHipHop.com: I’m glad to see you so active. I don’t think we hear enough from you. What are you mostly doing? Samples or live music?
Warren G: I do samples and live music. I listen to records for different ideas.
AllHipHop.com: I’ve always enjoyed the basslines that you use. You really have an ear for that.
Warren G: To me, the bassline is the backbone of production. If the bass isn’t right, then something is wrong.
AllHipHop.com: Are you still a spokesperson for those Affirm XL erectile dysfunction pills?
Warren G: I’m still a part of it, although we are going through negotiations right now. The commercials were all comedy and fun, but it is about getting the product to those who need it. I don’t need it, but it works – I’ve tried it. It’s a great product, and I love it. People with diabetes need to use it. It’s safer than Viagra, and I’m not disrespecting Viagra. It’s more of an herb than regular, like, medicine.
AllHipHop.com: It’s sad to read all of the drama about Nate Dogg’s estate and people pointing fingers about his unpaid medical expenses.
Warren G: I don’t even listen to it. I’ve been there for him. I was right there with him! I don’t even know why all of that stuff is being put out there like that. A lot of that stuff isn’t real. It’s messed up because Nate isn’t here to defend himself. I don’t get in to all of that. They try to put me in that, but I’m not in to that stuff.
AllHipHop.com: Do you like any of the new “Ratchet” music that’s coming out of the West Coast?
Warren G: Some of it is cool, and some of it is bullsh*t. I’m not mad at anybody for trying to do what they love. I can’t be mad at them for doing music how they want to do it. Good luck. Keep doing that sh*t. It’s a job. It’s a love, but it’s also a job. You’ve got to feed your babies and your families.
Fans can keep up with Warren G on Twitter (@regulator) and via his official website, www.warreng.com