Warren G facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Warren G
Warren G in 2015
Born	Warren Griffin III (1970-11-10) November 10, 1970 (age 54) Long Beach, California, U.S.
Other names	G-Child
Education	Jordan High School
Occupation	Rapper songwriter record producer disc jockey actor
Years active	1991–present
Spouse(s)	Tennile Griffin ​ (m. 1998)​
Children	6, including Olaijah
Relatives	Dr. Dre (step-brother)
Musical career
Genres	West Coast hip hop gangsta rap G-funk
Labels	G-Funk Violator RAL Def Jam

Warren Griffin III (born November 10, 1970), known as Warren G, is an American rapper, songwriter, and music producer. He helped make West Coast hip hop popular in the 1990s. He is known for his unique G-funk style of music.

Warren G became famous with his 1994 song "Regulate", which featured Nate Dogg. He is also known for helping Snoop Dogg start his music career. Warren G introduced Snoop Dogg to the famous producer Dr. Dre.

His first album, Regulate... G Funk Era (1994), was very successful. It sold over three million copies. The songs "Regulate" and "This D.J." were nominated for Grammy Awards.

Later, his albums Take a Look Over Your Shoulder (1997) and I Want It All (1999) also sold well. He formed a group called 213 with Snoop Dogg and Nate Dogg. They released an album called The Hard Way in 2004.

In 2015, he released an extended play (EP) called Regulate... G Funk Era, Part II. This EP featured recordings of Nate Dogg, who had passed away in 2011.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Warren Griffin III was born on November 10, 1970, in Long Beach, California. He lived with his mother and three sisters when he was young. Later, he moved to North Long Beach to live with his father.

His father's new wife had a son named Andre Young, who later became the famous Dr. Dre. Dr. Dre was already a successful DJ and producer. Warren G learned how to use music equipment from him.

In 1990, Warren G started a music group called 213. He formed it with his friends Nathaniel "Nate Dogg" Hale and Calvin "Snoop Dogg" Broadus. They created a new sound called G-funk.

Warren G helped connect Nate Dogg and Snoop Dogg with Dr. Dre. This led to Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg becoming huge stars. Warren G decided to sign with Def Jam Recordings in New York City to make his own way in music.

Forming the Group 213

Warren G, Nate Dogg, and Snoop Dogg were all from Long Beach. They loved the music of a group called 415, which was named after an area code. So, they named their own group 213 after the Los Angeles area code.

They practiced and recorded songs in a small studio in a Long Beach record store. They made a demo tape of their music. At first, Dr. Dre was too busy to listen to Warren G's requests.

But soon, copies of 213's songs became popular in Los Angeles county. One day, Warren G met Dr. Dre at a party. Warren G played the 213 tape for Dr. Dre, who loved it. Dr. Dre was especially impressed by Snoop Dogg's rap.

Soon after, the 213 group moved into Dr. Dre's house, which had a recording studio. In 1992, Dr. Dre's first solo song, "Deep Cover", introduced Snoop Dogg to the world. Warren G helped Dr. Dre find sounds for his album The Chronic.

Snoop Dogg became a superstar with his own album, Doggystyle. Nate Dogg also signed with Dr. Dre's record label. Warren G decided to return to Long Beach to start his own solo career. The 213 group finally released their album The Hard Way in 2004.

Solo Music Career

Becoming a Star (1993–1996)

In 1993, Warren G met John Singleton, a famous movie director. Singleton asked Warren G to produce a song for his movie Poetic Justice. Warren G produced the song "Indo Smoke", which featured himself and Nate Dogg.

This song's success led to Warren G signing a record deal with Def Jam Recordings. Also in 1993, Warren G and Nate Dogg were featured on a popular song called "Ain't No Fun (If the Homies Can't Have None)" from Snoop Dogg's album.

In April 1994, the song "Regulate" was released. It was a duet between Warren G and Nate Dogg. This song was a huge hit! It stayed on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 20 weeks and reached number 2.

"Regulate" sold over a million copies and became a platinum record. It was also number 1 on the MTV charts. Even in Japan, fans who didn't speak English knew all the lyrics. This song became Def Jam's biggest hit ever.

Warren G's first album, Regulate... G Funk Era, came out in June 1994. It sold a million copies in just three days and reached number 2 on the Billboard 200 album chart. The album's second song, "This D.J.", also became a hit.

Both "Regulate" and "This D.J." were nominated for Grammy Awards in 1995. By August 1994, the album had sold two million copies. It later sold three million copies, becoming triple platinum.

Later Albums (1997–2001)

Warren G's second album, Take a Look Over Your Shoulder, was released in March 1997. It sold half a million copies and became a gold record. One of its songs, "What's Love Got To Do with It", was a hit in the UK.

Another song, "Smokin' Me Out", was very popular on Los Angeles radio. His third album, I Want It All, came out in October 1999. On this album, Warren G focused more on producing the music.

Many other artists, like Nate Dogg, Snoop Dogg, and Eve, sang on the album. I Want It All also became a gold record. The song "I Want It All" was his last song to reach the Top 40 on the Hot 100 chart.

His fourth album, The Return of the Regulator, was released in December 2001. This album featured many famous musicians, including George Clinton. However, it did not reach the same level of success as his earlier albums.

Independent Music (2005–Present)

In October 2005, Warren G released his fifth album, In the Mid-Nite Hour. This was his first album released without a major record label. It featured his friends Nate Dogg and Snoop Dogg.

This album was a personal project for Warren G, made on a smaller budget. Many critics felt it showed his true style as a G-funk artist. However, it was mostly known by his loyal fans.

His sixth album, The G Files, came out in September 2009. Warren G said it kept the classic G-funk sound but added a modern electronic touch. He wanted to bring back a "great soulful sound" to rap music.

In 2013, Warren G toured with other artists in the West Coast Fest. He also acted in a TV show called Newsreaders. In 2014, he directed a music video for the South Korean boy band BTS.

Fans often asked Warren G for more classic G-funk music, especially featuring Nate Dogg. In 2015, he released an EP called Regulate... G Funk Era, Part II. This EP had four new songs and featured Nate Dogg on all of them.

Personal Life

Warren G is married to Tennile Griffin, and they have six children. As he gets older, Warren G enjoys cooking and telling stories, like his father. He values family time and good morals.

His oldest son, Olaijah, played college football for the USC Trojans. In 2021, Olaijah signed with the Buffalo Bills in the NFL.

In 2019, Warren G started his own line of barbecue sauces and rubs called Sniffin Griffin's BBQ. He was inspired by his father, who was a cook in the U.S. Navy and loved to barbecue.

Discography

Studio albums

• Regulate... G Funk Era (1994)
• Take a Look Over Your Shoulder (1997)
• I Want It All (1999)
• The Return of the Regulator (2001)
• In the Mid-Nite Hour (2005)
• The G Files (2009)

Collaborative albums

• The Hard Way (with 213) (2004)

Filmography

• The Show (1995)
• Speedway Junky (1999)
• Little Richard (2000)
• The Parkers (2000)
• Old School (2003)
• All of Us (2005)
• BTS American Hustle Life (2014)
• The Eric Andre Show (2016), 1 episode

Video Games

• Rap Jam: Volume One (1995)
• Def Jam: Fight for NY (2004)
• Def Jam Fight for NY: The Takeover (2006)

Awards and Nominations

Grammy Awards

American Music Awards

Brit Awards

MTV Movie & TV Awards

Soul Train Music Awards

NME Awards