This D.J.

Last updated
"This D.J."
This DJ.jpg
Single by Warren G
from the album Regulate... G Funk Era
B-side "Regulate" (remix)
ReleasedJuly 5, 1994
Studio Track Record, Inc. (North Hollywood, Los Angeles)
Genre G-funk [1]
Length3:23
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Warren G
Warren G singles chronology
"Regulate"
(1994)
"This D.J."
(1994)
"Do You See"
(1994)
Music video
"This D.J." on YouTube

"This D.J." is a song by American hip hop artist Warren G. It was released in July 1994 by Def Jam as the second single from his debut album, Regulate...G Funk Era (1994). Released as the follow-up to his smash hit, "Regulate", "This D.J." was another success for Warren G, becoming his second consecutive top 10 single in the US, peaking at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100. The single was certified gold by the RIAA and sold 600,000 copies. [3] [4]

Contents

Warren G revealed in 2023, during an interview for Drink Champs, that "This DJ"'s chorus was written by Snoop Dogg, that was supposed to perform it as well, but because of discrepancies between their labels, he couldn't be on the song and Warren G performed it instead. Because of the labels' involvement, Snoop Dogg ended up not being credited for the writing as well. [5] The song was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance at the 37th Annual Grammy Awards.

Critical reception

Taylor Parkes from Melody Maker named "This D.J." Single of the Week, describing it as "smoother still, an ecstatic groove." [6] Dele Fadele from NME came to the conclusion that the song is "a good thing, a way to sidestep reality and just luxuriate in sound. Whistling keyboard noises, boosted bass, subtle guitar licks, no obvious Michael McDonald sample, and the smooth, considered rapping all add up to pop thrills." [7] Jordan Paramor from Smash Hits gave it four out of five, writing, "WHOA! Close your eyes and suddenly you're in downtown LA, cruising through the backstreets, bopping along to another funky laid-back masterpiece from Mr Warren G Esq. He's undoubtedly the king of cool (even if he does use rude words). Buy it, you'll love it." [8]

Single track listing

A-Side

  1. "This D.J." (LP Version)- 3:23
  2. "This D.J." (Radio Edit)- 3:23

B-Side

  1. "This D.J." (LP Instrumental)- 3:23
  2. "This D.J." (Remix Instrumental)- 3:43
  3. "Regulate" (Remix)- 4:18

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [25] Gold500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

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G-funk, short for gangsta funk, is a sub-genre of gangsta rap that emerged from the West Coast scene in the early 1990s. The genre is heavily influenced by the synthesizer-heavy 1970s funk sound of Parliament-Funkadelic, often incorporated through samples or re-recordings. It is represented by commercially successful albums such as Dr. Dre's The Chronic (1992) and Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle (1993).

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