Warren G exploded out of the burgeoning Long Beach rap scene in 1994 with the smash single "Regulate," a duet with longtime friend Nate Dogg, and its accompanying album, Regulate...G Funk Era.

G grew up in Long Beach listening to his parentsÕ extensive collection of jazz, soul and funk records, also frequently hanging out at the local V.I.P. record store. As a teenager, he and his friends Nate Dogg and future superstar Snoop Dogg formed a rap group called 213, after their area code. Eventually, the V.I.P. record store allowed the trio to practice and record in a back room. It was here that Snoop cut the demo "Super Duper Snooper," which G played for his half-brother Dr. Dre at a party. Dre invited all three to his studio and wound up collaborating with Snoop on The Chronic. While G also made several contributions, he opted to develop his talents mostly outside of DreÕs shadow. He honed his musical skills while producing such artists as MC Breed and 2Pac.

Known as Los Angeles' "Ambassador of Boogie Funk," Dãm-Funk represents the citizens of the Funkmosphere. Headquartered in the Leimert Park section of L.A., Dãm (pronounced: 'Dame' as in Damon) spent the last few years cultivating a musical renaissance rooted in the early-'80s styles known as Boogie, Modern Soul and Electro-Funk.

Inglewood rap duo U-N-I are the talk of the Internet and guiding hip-hop's path in the city by juxtaposing music with customized fashion and a positive outlook. Their progressive swagger and throwback fashion sense may initially compel comparisons to hipsters, but the duo's truth is more complex and far simpler: YO has been sporting a mohawk for almost five years. Thurz notes the group is innately fashion-conscious and not willing to sacrifice substance for style. YO explains, "What duo out of Cali you know looks like us? My man Thurz stays with the latest hats and kicks. I stay in thrift shops putting together $20 outfits and still walk the Red Carpet."