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Chapter 190: California Love

G-funk & California hip-hop

Los Angeles is a big place, and my experience of the city is not exactly like Dr. Dre’s or 2pac’s. But I feel a rush of hometown pride listening to the G-funk they created; no artists before or since have captured the Cali vibe as well. The slinky bass and freeway-long keyboard runs are bright, sticky and sweat-soaked; it’s a sound that conveys how too much sunshine can be oppressive, and relaxation can become enervation. On a dime, G-funk can turn futuristic too: just listen to Dre pack sci-fi drops and whooshes into “The Next Episode.”
1. Warren G

Regulate (ft. Nate Dogg)

2. Dr. Dre

The Next Episode (ft. Snoop Dogg)

3. Spice 1

Strap On the Side

4. Adina Howard

Freak Like Me

5. Da Brat

Funkdafied

6. MC Eiht

Compton 4 Death

7. 2Pac

Keep Ya Head Up

8. Ice Cube

It Was A Good Day

9. Dr. Dre

Nuthin' But A G Thang (ft. Snoop Dogg)*

10. 2Pac

California Love (Remix)

*Not on Spotify