Warren G Says ‘Regulate’ Was Recorded in a Closet

Less than one week after the death of his cousin, singer Nate Dogg, rapper Warren G is revealing a few interesting memories about the veteran West Coast singer. In an interview with DJ Skee, Warren explained that Nate recorded his portion of the 1994 hit 'Regulate' in a closet.

"I had an apartment on Long Beach Boulevard and San Antonio, and I didn't have no furniture," he reminisced. "I had dog s--- all over the floor, and I had two bedrooms. In one of my bedrooms, all I had was studio equipment. I did the sample, plugged in my VCR into the MPC60, sampled [the music], and after I finished it, I called Nate, and said 'Nate, I got a record I think we should do, and go back-and-forth on it. I think it'd be dope.' He came over, he heard it, and was like, 'Damn!' So from there, we hooked up a mic in the closet, and I called my engineer, Greg. He came over and recorded it, and there it is."

A sample of the Michael McDonald hit 'I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)' catapulted the song into the spotlight, shinning light on rap from Long Beach, Calif. Although Warren went on to release several singles and albums, 'Regulate,' remains one of his biggest hits.

Peaking atop the Billboard Rap charts the single snagged the twosome a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. For his part on the track, Nate ushered in a new era of mixing his signature vocals with gangsta rap, recording with the likes of 50 Cent, Dr. Dre and Eminem.

Warren G and Snoop Dogg recently paid tribute to Nate Dogg at this year's SXSW music festival, during their annual Respect the West party. "I honestly don't know how this is going to turn out," Warren told MTV News just before the performance. Rocking T-shirts with Nate's picture, Snoop and Warren launched into notable hits including 'It Ain't No Fun,' 'Xplosive,' and 'Regulate.'

Nate Dogg, 41, born Nathaniel Hale, passed on March 15. It was later revealed that his death was the end result of health complications brought on by two strokes.