Exclusive: Warren G Talks ‘G Funk’ Music DocumentaryPosted by Wilson Morales
July 13, 2018
Available NOW on YouTube Premium, G FUNK recounts the untold story of hip-hop’s most iconic subgenre through Warren G! G FUNK explores the sound’s origination and lasting impact on music and culture. The film also chronicles Warren G’s journey with Snoop Dogg and Nate Dogg during the early 90s, as they rose to international fame while he returned to Long Beach, California without a record deal.
In his full-length directorial debut, 24-year-old Karam Gill has G FUNK feature never-before-seen footage and interviews with Warren G, Snoop Dogg, Chuck D, Ice Cube, Ice T, Too Short, The D.O.C., Wiz Khalifa and others who detail Warren G’s story and the impact of g-funk on pop culture.
Blackfilm.com spoke exclusively with Warren G about getting his story on screen.
Where did the inspiration come to put your story on film?
Warren G: I’ve had the story for years but most of the major companies wanted to change a lot about it and I wanted it to be 100% authentic. So, I just sat on it and didn’t do any deal with anyone. One day I had a show in Orange County at the observatory and these kids came down to see and one of them Karam Gill asked if he could film my show. He filmed it, edited it and sent it to me, and I looked at it and thought it was incredible. The stuff that he did was great. I had him follow me around for a bit, filming my shows and stuff and all of them were great footage. Can you shoot a documentary? He said, “Yeah.” I told him I have a documentary that I wanted to do and fund myself. I told him the story and I broke everything down, step for step, scene by scene and he took it and put it on paper. With a couple of producers on board, we told him the story and that’s how it got kickstarted.
What more did you want to get across on the doc, the music or the story?
Warren G: I wanted to tell my story, as well as Nate and Snoop’s story. I wanted everyone to know what we went through in this journey in trying to be a superstar and a legend. I want the young generation to see that and to know about the things that we went through and to learn about us as human beings. I want them to know that we’re regular people too. It wasn’t handed to us on a single platter. It also brings them back to a little bit of the music.
After being in the game for over 20 years, would there be anything you could change if you went back in time?
Warren G: I would change a few things. I would not want for my mom to have died, as well as my aunty, my grandfather and my cousin. I would have loved to have them around. Other than that, I wouldn’t change a thing.
What do you think is missing is the rap world today that we need stories like G Funk to be told?
Warren G: More storytelling. We have the party fast life. We have dudes talking about birds. If you’re making $250K a show, there’s no way in the world you should be talking about birds. It’s just have be more story content and being yourself. You have to be original. That’s why the guys who are winning have longevity. They are being different, while everyone is trying to do the same thing. That’s not going to work.
Was there anything left out in the documentary?
Warren G: Yeah. I left some stuff out. I’ll probably put it in part 2.
It was great to see Snoop, Dre, and others on camera. Was it an easy pitch to get them to agree to be on camera and part of the doc?
Warren G: Everyone was down because they are all my friends. They know I’m not on some weird trip and trying to put them in different positions. They know if I do something, it’s going to be solid; and I have relationships with all of them. It’s all good and I would do the same for them.
You mentioned earlier that some of the companies you brought the doc to wanted you ton change things. Can you talk about what they wanted?
Warren G: They wanted me to say certain names and things and stuff like that, but I wanted to do it on my own and my way.
How does one stay in the game?
Warren G: Just being humble and staying out of the way. Don’t get in anyone’s business. Don’t be a shit in the industry where you have everyone hating on you. Just be yourself and mind your business. Stay involved in a positive way.
Are you still performing?
Warren G: I just got off the road and ready to go back. In a week or two, I’ll be back on the road. I travel and tour all the time. I haven’t stopped. I’m developing a young artist right now. I’m focused on that, the documentary and new music. I was glad that YouTube Premium was able to give us the platform to let millions and millions of people see this story. I’m sure this is the biggest platform in the world. Big up to YouTube Premium.
What do you want folks to get from seeing G Funk?
Warren G: I want people to know who we are. We weren’t thugs as some stories say. We’re human being making music. I want the new generation to know what it takes to be in this business and how tough it is to stay in it to become a superstar.
