Nuthin' but a G' Thang

Since most of the recent posts have been about rap and hip hop in the early 90s, lets take a look at a song that released around the same time.

Nuthin' but a G' Thang was a single released by Dr. Dre featuring Snoop Dogg on Dr. Dre's The Chronic, which I am sure you heard before. Since Dr. Dre owned Death Row Records, that is the label the song was released under, and this was a west coast product. The song reached the tops of many charts, and was even selected by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as one of the 500 songs that shaped Rock and Roll.

The lyrics belong to Dr. Dre ad Snoop Dogg, who reference places in California including Long Beach and Compton. Also, the lyrics below identify that the artists belong to Death Row Records.

Compton and Long Beach together: now you know you in trouble Ain't nothing but a G thang, baby Two loc'ed out niggas so we're crazy Death Row is the label that pays me

Mobbing like a motherfucker but I ain't lynchin' Dropping the funky shit that's making the sucker niggas mumble When I'm on the mic, it's like a cookie: they all crumble Try to get close, and your ass'll get smacked My motherfucking homie Doggy Dogg has got my back

The lyrics above speak to the many symbols of hip hop culture of the time. Mobbing indicates a gangster lifestyle, which is also apparent in the title of the song. You can also tell by these lyrics that the MC is still a strong presence in the way that the lyrics are delivered.

The musical elements of the record are also quite special. It has bass kicks over a keyboard loop creating a sound that would be one of the most recognizable riff from any song, which basically defines the g-funk sound. Dr. Dre was the creator of the sounds of this record.

The song received many accolades. The track has been heavily sampled, most popularly by Ja Rule's "Livin' it Up." The song has also been included in video games and movies.

Check out the song below, let me know your thoughts!

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