Genre
G-Funk
2 artists
What is G-funk? G-funk (gangsta funk) is the West Coast sound of the early '90s: laid-back gangsta rap over slow, melodic funk. Think of a lowrider cruising through Long Beach on a sunny afternoon.
Where it comes from. Dr. Dre created the blueprint with The Chronic (1992) on Death Row Records, and Snoop Doggy Dogg's Doggystyle (1993) perfected it. Warren G, Nate Dogg and DJ Quik shaped the sound too, and 2Pac's All Eyez on Me (1996) took it to its commercial peak.
The sound. Samples and replayed parts from Parliament-Funkadelic, Zapp & Roger and other '70s funk. A high, whining synthesizer lead, deep live bass, talk box, soulful female backing vocals and a relaxed tempo. The lyrics are about gang life, but the music feels like a party.
Key albums
- The Chronic, Dr. Dre (1992)
- Doggystyle, Snoop Doggy Dogg (1993)
- Regulate... G Funk Era, Warren G (1994)
- All Eyez on Me, 2Pac (1996)
- 2001, Dr. Dre (1999)
