This D.J.

1994 single by Warren G
"This D.J."
Single by Warren G
from the album Regulate... G Funk Era
B-side"Regulate" (remix)
ReleasedJuly 5, 1994
StudioTrack Record, Inc. (North Hollywood, Los Angeles)
GenreG-funk[1]
Length3:23
Label
  • Violator
  • RAL
Songwriter(s)
  • Warren Griffin
  • Calvin Broadus[2]
Producer(s)Warren G
Warren G singles chronology
"Regulate"
(1994) 		"This D.J."
(1994) 		"Do You See"
(1994)
Music video
"This D.J." on YouTube

"This D.J." is the title of a song by American hip hop artist Warren G. It was released in July 1994 by Def Jam as the second single from his debut album, Regulate...G Funk Era (1994). Released as the follow-up to his smash hit, "Regulate", "This D.J." was another success for Warren G, becoming his second consecutive top 10 single in the US, peaking at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100. The single was certified gold by the RIAA and sold 600,000 copies.[3][4]

Warren G revealed in 2023, during an interview for Drink Champs, that "This DJ"'s chorus was written by Snoop Dogg, that was supposed to perform it as well, but because of discrepancies between their labels, he couldn't be on the song and Warren G performed it instead. Because of the labels' involvement, Snoop Dogg ended up not being credited for the writing as well.[5] The song was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance at the 37th Annual Grammy Awards.

Critical reception

Taylor Parkes from Melody Maker named "This D.J." Single of the Week, describing it as "smoother still, an ecstatic groove."[6] Dele Fadele from NME came to the conclusion that the song is "a good thing, a way to sidestep reality and just luxuriate in sound. Whistling keyboard noises, boosted bass, subtle guitar licks, no obvious Michael McDonald sample, and the smooth, considered rapping all add up to pop thrills."[7]

Single track listing

A-Side

  1. "This D.J." (LP Version)- 3:23
  2. "This D.J." (Radio Edit)- 3:23

B-Side

  1. "This D.J." (LP Instrumental)- 3:23
  2. "This D.J." (Remix Instrumental)- 3:43
  3. "Regulate" (Remix)- 4:18

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1994) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[8] 95
France (SNEP)[9] 25
Germany (Official German Charts)[10] 37
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[11] 5
Scotland (OCC)[12] 12
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[13] 22
UK Singles (OCC)[14] 12
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[15] 9
UK Club Chart (Music Week)[16] 51
US Billboard Hot 100[17] 9
US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)[18] 3
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[19] 14
US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[20] 3
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[21] 5

Year-end charts

Chart (1994) Position
US Billboard Hot 100[22] 59
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[23] 81

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[24] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ Appleford, Steve (April 25, 2016). "20 Best Things We Saw at Coachella 2016's Weekend Two". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
  2. ^ "Warren G Details His Many Contributions To The Chronic". Ambrosia For Heads. August 29, 2023. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  3. ^ "American certifications – Warren G – This D.J." Recording Industry Association of America.
  4. ^ "Best-Selling Records of 1994". Billboard. 107 (3). BPI Communications: 57. January 21, 1995. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  5. ^ "Warren G on Drink Champs". Revolt. 2023.
  6. ^ Parkes, Taylor (November 5, 1994). "Singles". Melody Maker. p. 34. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  7. ^ Fadele, Dele (October 22, 1994). "Singles". NME. p. 50. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  8. ^ "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – Week Ending 27 Nov 1994". Imgur.com (original document published by ARIA). Retrieved September 1, 2016.
  9. ^ "Warren G – This DJ" (in French). Les classement single.
  10. ^ "Warren G – This DJ" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  11. ^ "Warren G – This DJ". Top 40 Singles.
  12. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  13. ^ "Warren G – This DJ". Singles Top 100.
  14. ^ "Warren G: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 1, 2016.
  15. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  16. ^ "The RM Club Chart" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). November 5, 1994. p. 8. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  17. ^ "Warren G Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
  18. ^ "Warren G Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  19. ^ "Warren G Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
  20. ^ "Warren G Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
  21. ^ "Warren G Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
  22. ^ "The Year in Music: Hot 100 Singles". Billboard. December 24, 1994. p. YE-26. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  23. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1994". Billboard. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  24. ^ "American single certifications – Warren G – This D.J." Recording Industry Association of America.
  • v
  • t
  • e
Studio albumsEPsCollaborative albums
  • The Hard Way (2004) (with 213)
Singles
Featured singles
Other songs
  • "Ain't No Fun (If the Homies Can't Have None)"
Related articles