#10 - Warren G and Nate Dogg - Regulate
Regulate isn't the best rap song from 1994 (I still have two above it), but if I could only ever listen to one rap song from that year for the rest of my life, Warren G and Nate Dogg's take of a day in the 213 would be it. The beat, the story, the Michael McDonald sample, and Nate's smooth vocals blend perfectly into one of the defining songs of G-Funk.
Warren G grew up in Long Beach as the stepbrother of Dr. Dre. When he was 20, he formed a trio with Snoop Dogg and Nate Dogg. A couple of years later, Dre signed Snoop to Death Row and Nate soon followed. Warren G chose Def Jam instead.
Regulate was released in April 1994 as the lead single from the
Above the Rim soundtrack and soon became the biggest rap song of the year (according to the charts) and Def Jam's top single ever. Warren G went on to sell a lot more records throughout the decade and Nate had a string of hits as well, including a #1 with 50 Cent in 2003. Nate Dogg suffered multiple strokes in 2007 and 2008 and died at the age of 41 in 2011. Warren G is still making music and also produces his own line of BBQ rubs and sauces.
Regulate