Warren G G-Files Genres:Pop, Rap & Hip-Hop Warren G exploded out of the burgeoning Long Beach rap scene in 1994 with the smash single "Regulate". This debut release quickly became a massive hit, peaking at #2 on the Billboard charts and pushing his debut "Regulate... more »....G-Funk Era" album up to the same position. The album eventually went triple platinum as Warren's laid-back raps and funk-based grooves quickly became his trademark style..... the ""G-Funk" style. Warren followed up this success with multiple chart topping releases including the 2004 union with Snoop Dog and Nate Dog--213. 213's the "Hard Way" release quickly went gold further establishing Warren as a hip-hop legend. His 2005 release "In The Mid-Nite Hour" created an underground frenzy and debuted at a robust #15 on Billboard's R&B/Rap Albums Chart. With over 5 million records sold, Warren G. is an icon whose public eagerly awaits what he brings next with the much anticipated "The G Files".« less
Warren G exploded out of the burgeoning Long Beach rap scene in 1994 with the smash single "Regulate". This debut release quickly became a massive hit, peaking at #2 on the Billboard charts and pushing his debut "Regulate....G-Funk Era" album up to the same position. The album eventually went triple platinum as Warren's laid-back raps and funk-based grooves quickly became his trademark style..... the ""G-Funk" style. Warren followed up this success with multiple chart topping releases including the 2004 union with Snoop Dog and Nate Dog--213. 213's the "Hard Way" release quickly went gold further establishing Warren as a hip-hop legend. His 2005 release "In The Mid-Nite Hour" created an underground frenzy and debuted at a robust #15 on Billboard's R&B/Rap Albums Chart. With over 5 million records sold, Warren G. is an icon whose public eagerly awaits what he brings next with the much anticipated "The G Files".
"I had been anticipating "The G-Files" since Warren G announced it in 2002. Then he released "In The Mid-Nite Hour" in 2005, which proved to be a solid album from Warren. When he said "The G-Files" would be released in 2009, I was excited because I figured he would improve upon the last album and create one of the year's best hip-hop albums.
However, Mr. Regulator let me down. "The G-Files" is a below average album and easily one of his worst. Why? The album is 13 songs and a skit, with G only appearing on 11 of the actual songs. The song topics are old and uninspired, such as "The West is Back" and "Let's Get High." The topic of the west coast being awesome, and smoking weed has been done a million times, and many times by Warren himself.
I don't know, I just had high expectations for Warren G, considering "In The Mid-Nite Hour" pushed the envelope lyrically and musically in 2005. I thought this album would do the same. But it seems like he back tracked and tried to create an album that would have appealed in the Death Row era or teenage pop rap fans. The last two tracks, "Ringtone" and "Crush" (feat. Ray-J) are something I would expect from someone like Soulja Boy or Plies.
There is one highlight of the album, "100 Miles and Runnin" (feat. Raekwon and Nate Dogg). The song is a classic example of collaborations between Warren and Nate. Although it seems odd Raekwon is on the song, he's lyrically on point and helps create the album's best song.
Overall, I believe die hard Warren G fans will be disappointed with this album. It doesn't live up to the hype, and doesn't offer anything fantastic besides the one song. I've come to realize that Warren G can either hit or miss with his albums, and in this case he missed...by a lot."
G-Files Improves Upon In the Midnight Hour
D. Conte | Mount Sinai, NY United States | 09/29/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"In the Midnight Hour, Warren G's last album in 2005, was released to mixed reviews and went in an entirely different sound direction than the rest of his catalog. However, with his sixth studio LP, the G-Files, Warren G returns to the formula that turned him into one of raps brightest stars fifteen years ago. The record's short and concise, featuring just thirteen tracks, fourteen if you count the intro. At least half of the record is great. The West Is Back is a classic, summertime flavored west coast anthem. Let's Get High is a vintage G-Funk smoke-out session that should please even Warren's most die hard fans. 100 Miles 'n' Runnin' is a modern day classic, featuring raps by Warren and Raekwon with Nate Dogg spicing up the hook. A collaboration with Snoop Dogg on Swagger Rich is a taste of Warren G meets Timbaland. Suicide is a relatively old, unheard of track that only the hardcore fans will be familiar with. It was featured on the video game soundtrack to True Crime: Streets of LA. It was the first track ever announced for the G-Files in 2003, but when In the Midnight Hour came in its place, this one was placed on the back-burner until now. It's slightly re-worked, but largely untouched and is a classic West Coast vibe. Hold On & What's Wrong are both standouts because they give you a sound of a more introspective Warren G than you're usually used to hearing. The rest of the tracks, save for the uninspired Ringtone and Crush, are all in the average to above average category. However, the good clearly outweighs the bad, which in this case, are the two final tracks on the record, which are a curious way to end an otherwise satisfying, enjoyable experience."
6th solo is a step back in the right direction
G$ | B-More, MD | 10/22/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Warren G returns after 4 year to finally drop his long awaited, pushed back "G Files" album. All in all, I think this is better than his last 2 albums ("Return of Regulator" and "Mid-Nite Hour"), not as good as his 4.5 star "Take A LOok Over Your Shoulder' & "I Want It All" and worth 4 stars (just below his "Regulate...G Funk Era" album. His last 2 being disappointing I think he is moving back into the right direction on this one. With 13 songs (1 he isn't on), you get 4 ok songs, and 9 good ones, with a few being real good but no classics. He does have some bad attempts on here to appeal to the radio and teen-rap, overall I thinkk it's a nice album. Guests are on all but 2 songs, but that's with all his albums, guests are heavy. Production is nice as well, not surprisingly since Warren did 12 of the 13 (the other done by THX). A nice album to have for those longing for that old great G-Funk sound.
#2 - 9 (Halla & Bad Lucc - No Warren -- nice beat)
#3 - 8 (f/ BJ)
#4 - 7.5 (f/ Black Nicc & Travis Barker)
#5 - 8.5 (f/ Raekown & Nate Dogg)
#6 - 7.5 (f/ Halla)
#7 - 7 (a bad attempt at a radio friendly song)
#8 - 7.5 (f/ Snoop Dogg & Cassic Davis -- anotehr bad attempt at a radio friendly song)
#9 - 9 (f/ RBX -- nice beat)
#10 - 9 (f/ Halla & Bad Lucc -- nice beat)
#11 - 8
#12 - 9 (deeper song f/ Black Nicc, Halla & BJ -- nice relaxing beat)
#13 - 8.5 (f/ BJ -- goood beat)
#14 - 8 (f/ Ray J -- another radio friendly song)
Warren Griffin III -- b. 11/10/70 -- Long Beach, CA
Check all my reviews"
Warren G - The G files
Stanislav Vysopal | Los Angeles | 03/08/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Warren G on independent label. A lot of people forgot him, because he went independent, but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't research. I recommend you this album, because I like it. Warren G can make for sure a little bit better music, that doesn't mean that you don't have there big great songs, just he is relaxing a little bit more as he should, I think. Definitely worthy."