G-funk

G-funk is one of the pioneering sounds of West Coast Hip Hop defined by a relaxed and organic atmosphere created through the use of P-Funk samples, layered synth melodies, deep bass, and high-pitched portamento sine wave leads. Additionally, it may incorporate female vocals or a talkbox effect for choruses. Prior to G-funk's emergence in the early 1990s, the Bay Area had developed its own sound, Mobb Music, which used slowed-down Funk samples synced to clap-led drum beats. This slow, pounding production would go on to heavily influence the West Coast as a whole. In the city of Compton in Los Angeles, the group N.W.A and their producer Dr. Dre created songs like “Dopeman (Remix)” which sampled from the Ohio Players’ “Funky Worm.” This early sound would later be expanded on in their last release Efil4zaggin. Around the same time, the group Above the Law showcased a similar production, leading to debate over who the genre's "true" creators are. It would not be until 1992 that Dr. Dre’s debut album The Chronic would propel this particular style into the mainstream with several Top 40 singles and establish a historic run with Suge Knight’s Death Row Records.