Regulate (song)

Regulate

Company type	Single
Industry	Music
Founded	1994
Founder	Warren G, Nate Dogg
Products	Music single

Regulate is a 1994 single by American rapper Warren G featuring vocalist Nate Dogg. Issued as the primary single from the Above the Rim (soundtrack) and subsequently included on Warren G's debut album, Regulate... G Funk Era, the track achieved significant commercial success and became a mainstay on MTV. It reached number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and climbed to number 8 on the R&B/Hip-Hop chart. Additionally, it was ranked 98th on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop and placed 108th on Pitchfork Media’s list of the Top 200 Tracks of the 1990s.

The composition incorporates a four-bar sample from Michael McDonald's "I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)", along with elements from Bob James' "Sign of the Times" and an interpolation of Dr. Dre's "Let Me Ride". The accompanying music video features clips from Above the Rim, including a cameo appearance by Tupac Shakur. The introduction of "Regulate" features a quote taken from Casey Siemaszko’s character in the movie Young Guns:

Background

Warren acquired a collection of vinyl records for $250 from a vendor outside Roscoe's House of Chicken 'N Waffles in Hollywood, among which was Michael McDonald's I Keep Forgettin’, later sampled for "Regulate". At that time, Warren resided in a modestly furnished apartment in North Long Beach, outfitted with recording equipment such as a Numark mixer, Technics 1200 turntables, and an Akai MPC 60.

Motivated by the film Young Guns and its line “Regulators: We regulate any stealing of this property,” Warren collaborated with engineer Greg Geitzenauer to utilize ADAT digital recording technology for sampling at home. Warren used his label advance to invest in a multi-track studio setup, while Geitzenauer procured gear from Guitar Center. The ADAT and VCR were linked via adapters into the MPC 60 sequencer to capture the sample.

Warren also whistled a melody from Bob James' 1981 album Sign of the Times, which was further enriched by Geitzenauer’s keyboard contributions employing a Yamaha SY77 and Minimoog-style sounds.

Prior to this session, Warren had been crafting beats. When Nate Dogg stopped by, he immediately took a liking to the instrumental, prompting their collaboration on "Regulate". Together they wrote and recorded the track in one session, drawing inspiration from duets such as Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre's Nuthin' but a 'G' Thang and Run-DMC. The song consists solely of verses with semi-autobiographical lyrics reflecting experiences they encountered on 61st Street.

Warren explained that the lyrics mirrored personal stories as well as those of friends, intending to allow listeners to envision the narrative.

Geitzenauer re-recorded vocals at Track Studio in North Hollywood. The track notably lacks a conventional chorus; its primary riff appears only during the introduction. A radio edit was created at Def Jam’s request due to explicit content; this version became the main album cut while the original explicit version remained unreleased.

Initially circulated among industry contacts, "Regulate" was eventually included on the Above the Rim soundtrack following A&R Mike Lynn playing it for Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine, who supported it as a single. Despite contractual challenges—Nate Dogg being signed to Death Row Records and Warren to Def Jam—clearance was secured through Suge Knight and Death Row Records. Subsequently, Lyor Cohen and Def Jam reissued the single.

During production of the music video, Warren missed most filming after being arrested for leaving a gas station with the fuel pump still attached; he was released later that evening.

Synopsis

Warren G cruises alone through the Eastside, Long Beach, California streets at night in search of women. He encounters a group of men engaged in a dice game who instead hold him up at gunpoint and rob him. In this moment of peril, Warren G sings the memorable line, "if I had wings I would fly," which serves as the song's distinctive refrain. Meanwhile, Nate Dogg is on the lookout for Warren G and passes by a car full of distracted women who subsequently crash. Nate Dogg confronts the assailants, driving them off with gunfire. Afterward, the duo returns to the women and proceeds to the "Eastside motel." In the third verse, Warren and Nate articulate their signature G-funk sound, signaling a transformative period in hip hop.

Critical reception

Bill Speed and John Martinucci of the Gavin Report emphasized how the artists cleverly incorporate Michael McDonald's I Keep Forgettin' groove to enhance their storytelling raps in "Regulate." The pan-European publication Music & Media commended its classic soul ambiance, with Maria Jimenez describing it as a "relaxed, lyrically flowing hip hop jam." Alan Jones from Music Week characterized the track as a "smooth" rap layered over a timeless sample, highlighting notable endorsements from 2Pac, Lord G, and Treach/Riddler.

Dele Fadele of NME noted that Dr. Dre and Warren G introduce a somber keyboard element to the otherwise laid-back tune, adding depth beyond its easygoing vibe. James Hamilton from Record Mirror referred to it as a "charming, languid US gangsta rap hit featuring catchy whistling." Gareth Grundy of Select pointed out its slick jeep beats that appeal to a wide audience. Charles Aaron from Spin described Warren G as a more accessible counterpart to Snoop Dogg and lauded his polished production techniques.

Impact and analysis

"Regulate" emerged as Def Jam's most successful single. Throughout much of summer 1994, its music video dominated MTV's top charts. Certain lyrics were censored on MTV—for instance, the phrase "Nate Dogg is about to make some bodies turn cold" had the word "cold" muted—an action criticized for racial bias since explicit lyrics from white artists like Johnny Cash were left uncensored. The video interwove scenes from the movie Above the Rim with newly filmed material; however, guest vocalist Nate Dogg did not appear due to disputes between Suge Knight and Def Jam.

The song’s lyrics have been described as "a surreal collage of partially sung verses about violence and romance." Craig Marks praised "Regulate" for its "light rock synthesizer melodies and flowing basslines," though he regarded Warren G's rapping as average. The track was also featured in the mockumentary series Yacht Rock, underscoring its lasting cultural significance.

Awards and nominations

1995 International Dance Awards

• Tune of the Year – "Regulate" by Warren G and Nate Dogg (nominee)

1995 MTV Movie Awards

• Best Movie Song – "Regulate" by Warren G and Nate Dogg (nominee)

1995 Grammy Awards

• Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group – "Regulate" by Warren G and Nate Dogg (nominee)

Track listing

Interscope Records issued "Regulate" as a maxi single, available on 12-inch vinyl (catalog number 6544-95917-0) and CD (catalog number 6544-95917-2), which included three extra songs:

1. "Regulate" – Warren G (featuring Nate Dogg)
2. "Pain" – 2Pac (featuring Stretch)
3. "Mi Monie Rite" – Lord G
4. "Loyal to the Game" – 2Pac (featuring Treach and Riddler)

Weekly charts

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Chart (1994)	Highest position
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)	10
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)	7
Europe (European AC Radio)	13
Europe (European Dance Radio Chart)	9
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)	13
Iceland (Íslenski listinn)	6

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Chart (1994)	Highest position
UK Airplay (Music Week)	13
UK Dance (Music Week)	2
Record Mirror Club Chart (Music Week)	48

Year-end charts

Chart (1994)	Rank
Australia (ARIA)	47
Belgium (Ultratop)	91
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)	38
Germany (Media Control)	37
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn)	44
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)	71
Netherlands (Single Top 100)	69
New Zealand (RIANZ)	16
Sweden (Topplistan)	26
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)	31
UK Singles (OCC)	35
UK Airplay (Music Week)	36
US Billboard Hot 100	22

Chart (1995)	Rank
France (SNEP)	60

Remixes and covers

• As early as 2007, the track was performed live in a cover version by Umphrey's McGee.

External links

• Official "Regulate" music video