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G-funk

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For the record label, seeG-Funk Entertainment.For the documentary, seeG-Funk (film).
G-funk
Stylistic origins
Cultural originsEarly 1990s,Greater Los Angeles,California
Other topics
Example of a g-funk instrumental

G-funk,short forgangsta funk,(orfunk rap[5]) is a sub-genre ofgangsta rapthat emerged from theWest Coastscene in the early 1990s. The genre is heavily influenced by thesynthesizer-heavy 1970sfunksound ofParliament-Funkadelic(aka P-Funk), often incorporated through samples or re-recordings.[4]It is represented by commercially successful albums such asDr. Dre'sThe Chronic(1992) andSnoop Dogg'sDoggystyle(1993).

Characteristics

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G-funk, which usesfunkwith an artificially alteredtempo,incorporates multi-layered and melodicsynthesizers,slow hypnotic grooves, a deep bass, heavy use of the snare drum, background female vocals, the extensive sampling ofP-Funktunes, and a high-pitchedportamentosaw wave synthesizer lead. G funk is typically set at between 90 and 100BPM.[6]The lyrical content depended on the artist and could consist of sex, drug use (especiallymarijuana), love for a city, love for friends. There was also a slurred "lazy" or "smooth" way ofrappingin order to clarify words and stay inrhythmic cadence.Many R&B and pop singles of the 1990s incorporated the G-funk sound to their music.

The trademark West Coast G-funk style of hip-hop was a very defining element of the region's music and helped distinguish it from the rivaling rap scene on the East Coast. In essence, the smooth, slow-tempo sound of G-funk accompanied the perceived "laid-back" stereotype of Californian culture whereas East Coast hip-hop typically featured more aggressive attitudes alongside a fast-paced tempo (e.g.hardcore hip hop).[7][8]

Unlike other earlier rap acts that also utilized funk samples (such asEPMDandthe Bomb Squad), G-funk often utilized fewer, unaltered samples per song.[9]Music theorist Adam Krims has described G-funk as "a style of generally West Coast rap whose musical tracks tend to deploy live instrumentation, heavy on bass and keyboards, with minimal (sometimes no) sampling and often highly conventional harmonic progressions and harmonies".[10]Dr. Dre,a pioneer of the G-funk genre, normally uses live musicians to replay the original music of sampled records. This enabled him to produce music that had his own sounds, rather than a direct copy of the sample.[11]

History and origins

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1989–1992: Beginnings

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Early examples of the genre began to show up in 1989 withThe D.O.C.'s"It's Funky Enough"and"The Formula",[12][13]the former was an early minor hit for the genre, reaching No. 12 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[14]Two years later, in 1991,N.W.A.released another early example of the genre with their albumNiggaz4Life,[15]which reached No. 1 on theBillboard200,[16]and No. 2 onBillboard'sTop R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.[17]The same year, Ice Cube's diss track towards N.W.A., "No Vaseline",was made in the style.[18]Dr. Dre, who producedNo One Can Do It BetterandNiggaz4Life,is often seen as the originator/creator of the G-funk sound.[19][1]Though these claims have been disputed withCold 187um,a member ofAbove the Law,claiming that he came up with the name and sound.[20]

1992–1997: Mainstream peak

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1992 was the breakout year for the genre, with Dr. Dre dropping his albumThe Chronic.The album was a massive success, having three top 40 singles: "Nuthin' but a 'G' Thang",the Eazy-E diss"Dre Day",and"Let Me Ride."[21]It also reached No. 3 on theBillboard200,[22]and No. 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[23]The album was eventually certified Triple Platinum by theRIAAin 1993 for selling three-million copies,[24]it has also been selected by theLibrary of Congressfor preservation in theNational Recording Registryfor being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".[25]Though G-funk had previously existed, Dr. Dre'sThe Chronicis often seen as the beginning of the genre.[26][1]

Dr. Dre,considered a pioneer of G-funk.

The following year had numerous successful songs and albums,Ice Cube'ssongs "It Was a Good Day"and"Check Yo Self"both made it to the top 20, peaking at No. 15 and No. 20 respectively,[27]and were both certified at least gold.[28]"It Was a Good Day" is commonly placed high on best of lists for the genre, being considered "one of the best G-Funk tracks ever made".[29][18]Snoop Dogg released his first albumDoggystyle,which debuted at No. 1 on theBillboard200,[30]and contained the hits "Gin and Juice"and"What's My Name?",both songs reached No. 8 on the Hot 100.[31]The album was certified Quadruple Platinum, and both singles were certified gold.[32]Eazy-E released the G-funk-influenced albumIt's On (Dr. Dre) 187um Killa,[33]which reached No. 5 on the Billboard 200,[34]and contained the No. 42 hit "Real Muthaphuckkin G's",[35]which was made as a response to Dre's song "Dre Day" from the previous year.[36]

The genre's popularity grew even bigger in 1994, especially because ofWarren G'ssong "Regulate",which was featured on theAbove The Rimsoundtrack.The single reached the top 10 peaking at No. 2.[37]His albumRegulate... G Funk Erawhich also contained the song, and another top 10 hit "This D.J.", reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200.[38]Popular rapperMC Hammerwent for a more gangsta image and G-funk sound on his albumThe Funky Headhunter,[39][40]which contained the No. 26 single "Pumps and a Bump".[41]The G-funk groupThug Life,featuring2Pacreleased their first and only album,Thug Life: Volume 1,it peaked at No. 42 on the Billboard 200,[42]it had one minor hit single with "Cradle to the Grave", it charted on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and on the Hot Rap Songs charts, at No. 91 on the former and No. 25 on the latter.[43][44]Westcoast rapperCoolioreleased his debut albumIt Takes a Thiefin 1994. The album peaked at No. 8,[45]it contains the Top-10 hit "Fantastic Voyage".[46]

In 1995,2Pacreleased the albumMe Against the Worldwhich although not entirely G-funk, has been described as having "half the record [resound] to the boom and bap of New York" while having "the rest [shimmer] in a G-funk haze". The album reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200,[47]and was certified Double Platinum.[48]Later in the year,[49]he released the G-funk classic[18]"California Love"which as a double A-side with"How Do U Want It",hit No. 1 on the Hot 100.[50]In October 1995,Tha Dogg Poundreleased their debut albumDogg Foodand it debuted at number 1# on the billboard, continuing G-funk's dominance in the mainstream with the top 50 singles "New York, New York"and"Let's Play House".

In 1996, the super-groupWestside ConnectionreleasedBow Down.It had two hit singles, "Bow Down"and"Gangstas Make the World Go Round",which peaked at No. 21 and No. 40, respectively.[51]The album itself peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200,[52]and was certified Platinum by the RIAA in 1997.[53]2Pac released his albumAll Eyez on Me,which has been described as "lush G-funk" and as having a "commercial G-funk sheen".[54][55]The album hit No. 1.[47]In 1997 Warren G released his second album,Take a Look Over Your Shoulder,which peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard 200;[38]it had two Top-40 singles, a cover of "I Shot the Sheriff"and"Smokin' Me Out".[37]

Although the majority of G-funk music has come out ofCalifornia,the overall sound has been utilized by additional US rappers and hip-hop groups that were based in other states across the U.S. during the time of the style's popularity in the 1990s.[56]Some of the most notable of these artists includeOutkast(Georgia),[57]G-Slimm(Louisiana),[58][59]Bone Thugs-n-Harmony(Ohio),[60][61][62]Tela(Tennessee),[63]Top Authority(Michigan),[64][65]E.S.G.(Texas)[66][67]andDMG(Minnesota).[68]

In the 1990s,Houston,Texashad a small, but noteworthy G-funk scene at the peak of the genre's popularity with artists such as theGeto Boys,Blac Monks,E.S.G.,5th Ward Boyz,Street Military,Big Mello,Scarface,Ganksta N-I-P,Bushwick Bill,Big 50,5th Ward JuvenilezandSouth Circle.[69][70]

1997–present: Influences on modern hip hop

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In the late 1990s and 2000s, G-funk music significantly declined in mainstream popularity.[71][72]Dr. Dre's 1999 album2001,produced byMel-Man,was noted as "reinvent[ing] his sound, moving away from G-funk to something more gothic and string-heavy."[73]

In 2001 Warren G released his fourth studio album,The Return of the Regulator,including "Here Comes Another Hit"includingNate DoggandMista GrimmandLookin' at YouwithLaToiya Williams.The album can be considered a return to the roots of G-funk West Coast gangsta music, but it sold less than the rapper's two previous albums.

Midwestern rapperTech N9nemade use of the G-funk style on his early releases, most notably his second studio album,The Worst(2000).[74][75]His 2001 follow-up album,Anghellic,incorporated the subgenre's characteristics to a much lesser extent.[76]

Most recently, into the 2010s and onward, many contemporary West Coast rappers have released albums which contain strong G-funk influences, includingKendrick LamarwithGood Kid, M.A.A.D Cityas well asTo Pimp a Butterfly,YGwithStill Brazy,Schoolboy QwithBlank Face LP,Nipsey HusslewithVictory Lap,BuddywithHarlan & AlondraandTech N9newithThe Gates Mixed Plate.[77][78][79][80][81]

See also

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References

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