Dr. Dre

Lyrics

[Verse 1: Snoop Dogg & Dr. Dre]
One, two, three and to the four
Snoop Doggy Dogg and Dr. Dre is at the door
Ready to make an entrance so back on up
'Cause you know we're 'bout to rip shit up
Give me the microphone first so I can bust like a bubble
Compton and Long Beach together, now you know you in trouble
Ain't nothin' but a "G" thang, baby
Two loced out niggas goin' crazy
Death Row is the label that pays me
Unfadeable so please don't try to fade this (Hell yeah)
But, um, back to the lecture at hand
Perfection is perfected so I'ma let 'em understand
From a young G's perspective
And before me dig out a bitch I have to find a contraceptive
You never know, she could be earnin' her man and learnin' her man
And at the same time burnin' her man
Now, you know I ain't with that shit, Lieutenant
Ain't no pussy good enough to get burnt while I'm up in it (Yeah)
And that's realer than Real-Deal Holyfield
And now you hookers and hoes know how I feel
Well, if it's good enough to get broke off a proper chunk
I'll take a small piece of some of that funky stuff

[Chorus: Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg, Snoop Dogg]
It's like this and like that and like this and a—
It's like that and like this and like that and a—
It's like this and like that and like this and a—
Dre, creep to the mic like a phantom
[Verse 2: Dr. Dre]
Well, I'm peepin' and I'm creepin' and I'm creepin'
But I damn near got caught 'cause my beeper kept beepin'
Now it's time for me to make my impression felt
So sit back, relax, and strap on your seat belt
You never been on a ride like this befo'
With a producer who can rap and control the micstro
At the same time with the dope rhyme that I kick
You know and I know, I flow some old funky shit
To add to my collection, the selection
Symbolizes dope, take a toke, but don't choke
If you do, you'll have no clue
Of what me and my homie Snoop Dogg came to do

[Chorus: Both & Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg]
It's like this and like that and like this and a—
It's like that and like this and like that and a—
It's like this, and who gives a fuck about those?
So just chill 'til the next episode
[Refrain: Kid Dynamite, Public Enemy & Congress Alley]
You've got the feeling
Rock the other side
You've got the feeling (Yeah, yeah)

[Verse 3: Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre & Both]
Fallin' back on that ass with a hellafied gangsta lean
Gettin' funky on the mic like a old batch of collard greens
It's the capital S, oh, yes, I'm fresh, N, double-O, P
D, O, double-G, Y, D, O, double-G, you see
Showin' much flex when it's time to wreck a mic
Pimpin' hoes and clockin' a grip like my name was Dolemite
Yeah, and it don't quit
I think they in the mood for some motherfuckin' G shit (Hell yeah)
So, Dre (What up, Dogg?)
Gotta give 'em what they want (What's that, G?)
We gotta break 'em off somethin' (Hell yeah)
And it's gotta be bumpin' (City of Compton)
[Verse 4: Dr. Dre]
Is where it takes place, so when asked, your attention
Mobbin' like a motherfucker but I ain't lynchin'
Droppin' the funky shit that's makin' 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 motherfuckin' homie Doggy Dogg has got my back
Never let me slip, 'cause if I slip, then I'm slippin'
But if I got my nina, then you know I'm straight trippin'
And I'ma continue to put the rap down, put the mac down
And if you bitches talk shit, I have to put the smack down
Yeah, and you don't stop
I told ya I'm just like a clock when I tick and I tock
But I'm never off, always on to the break of dawn
C-O-M-P-T-O-N and the city they call Long Beach
Puttin' the shit together
Like my nigga D.O.C., no one can do it better

[Chorus: Both & Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg]
Like this, that and this and a—
It's like that and like this and like that and a—
It's like this, and who gives a fuck about those?
So just chill 'til the next episode

[Outro: Kid Dynamite, Public Enemy & Congress Alley]
You've got the feeling
Rock the other side
You've got the feeling (Yeah, yeah)
You've got the feeling
Rock the other side
You've got the feeling (Yeah, yeah)
You've got the feeling
Rock the other side
You've got the feeling (Yeah, yeah)
[Produced by Dr. Dre]

If we speak about the greatest hip-hop songs of all time, “Nuthin' But a ‘G’ Thang” by Dr. Dre (Ft. Snoop Dogg) surely secures a prominent position on the list. The single was unveiled as the lead single of Dr. Dre’s first solo album, The Chronic, in 1992. It encapsulated the performance of Snoop Doggy Dogg following their first collaboration, “Deep Cover,” which was released a few months earlier. The song utilized a sample of Leon Haywood’s 1975 track “I Want'a Do Something Freaky To You” and grabbed the attention of hip-hop enthusiasts worldwide.

About Nuthin’ But a “G” Thang

“Nuthin' But a ‘G’ Thang” was undoubtedly one of the most popular hip-hop tracks of the 90s. The track was released on No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Hot Rap Songs and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Furthermore, it sold millions of copies in the market and became one of the best-selling singles of the year.

When we talk about the video, it was directed by none other than Dr. Dre himself, and it features cameos from Daz, Warren G, and The D.O.C. The video perfectly encapsulated the life of gangsta rap at the time, and millions of people around the world connected with the song.

Regarding its influence, “Nuthin' But a ‘G’ Thang” shaped rap music for a generation. The song received nominations at the Grammy Awards in the Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group category in 1994, placing it at an exalted position in hip-hop history. Furthermore, music critiques ranked it at No. 427 on Rolling Stone’s list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” and featured on the 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll list by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In addition, it was named the Greatest Rap Song of the 90s by XXL magazine, establishing its authority in hip-hop music.

Musician Colin Wolfe talked about how the song came together, stating that Warren G brought the Leon Haywood sample around for “Nuthin' but a ‘G’ Thang.” Snoop was serving time in prison, and he regularly contacted the house. He called one day, rapping to Wolfe the lyrics of “G” Thang and asked if it would please Dre. Wolfe loved the lyrics and found them captivating. The team faced challenges while recording the song since they had to record it three separate times. In one instance, the tape was left in the car and got damaged, and in another instance, it accidentally got erased. The song had live instruments, with Wolfe playing the synth string section and live bass. Dre added an 808 to the kick to make it more impactful, and the rest is history.

“Nuthin' But a ‘G’ Thang” emphasized Dre’s compositional skills and cemented Snoop Dogg’s position in the hip-hop genre. The track opened new doors for the genre and paved the way for a new era of music in rap's history.

Conclusion

In Conclusion, “Nuthin' But a ‘G’ Thang” was one of the most iconic songs in the hip-hop genre, which cemented Dre's name in history and established Snoop Dogg as one of the best rappers of all time. The song's continued popularity shows its influence, and its engaging lyrics, music, and music video continue to resonate with new generations of listeners. The song showcased the best of hip-hop, and it is safe to say that it will continue to do so in the future.

• Release Date: November 19, 1992
• Artist: Dr. Dre