The summer of 2024 is shaping up to be a sizzling one for Long Island’s grill game, with the National BBQ Festival taking center stage. And the headlining act? The one and only Warren G, the hip-hop legend behind the iconic 1994 anthem “Regulate.”
But Warren G is more than just a name in the music industry – he’s also a budding pitmaster with a passion for funk and flavor. With his debut in the National BBQ Festival, he’s taking the stage as “Hip Hop’s Pitmaster” and blending his musical legacy with a new chapter in culinary arts.
“To me, music and good food soothe the situation,” Warren said. “Even before I was Warren G, I would always pull out the pit and cook – even though I wasn’t that good at it back in the day. But I kept doing it and it stuck with me.”
The multi-platinum artist, born Warren Griffin III, has sold millions of records worldwide and influenced generations of artists. Now, he’s using those same creative instincts to build his line of sauces and rubs, Sniffin’ Griffins BBQ.
“Launched in 2019, Sniffin’ Griffins BBQ pays homage to my father, Warren Jr., a U.S. Navy chef who often manned the grill at family gatherings,” Warren explained. “Those childhood memories of smoky meats and joyful cookouts lit a flame that still burns.”
“My dad always cooked – that’s what he did,” Warren said. “We’d be like, ‘Dad, you cooking today?’ And he would. It’s just another passion outside of music. I’m never going to stop doing music, but barbecue is right up there.”
Warren G’s first foray into professional barbecue competition is already generating buzz, and fans can expect his full product line on-site at the National BBQ Festival, including sauces, rubs, and merchandise.
“It’s going to be lovely,” Warren said. “I can’t wait to powwow with a lot of the greats – pitmasters, chefs, all of ’em. I’m just a guy who loves to barbecue. I’m not doing all the fancy plate tricks – I just love good food, family, and flavor.”
The National BBQ Festival promises to be a sensory overload of smoky aromas, sizzling meats, live music, and fierce competition. And with Warren G’s headline performance on Saturday, June 14, the event is expected to bridge cultures and generations with his signature sound.
“We say, ‘We’re not mad at all,’” Warren explained. “The struggles we went through helped turn us into who we are now – able to take care of our families, be businessmen, and guide the next generation.”
Warren’s journey from the recording booth to the smoker is more than a brand pivot – it’s a natural continuation of his creativity. Whether layering sounds in a studio or seasoning ribs, the same soul fuels it all.
When asked about his favorite meat to cook, Warren replied, “Flanken ribs – a lesser-known but beloved cut he prepares with care. You wrap them up in butcher paper, pull them out – they’re fall-off-the-bone, so tender.”
“I wish I could do that in the competition, but I’ll be in the ribs competition,” Warren said. “We’re gonna get it in.”
Sniffin’ Griffins BBQ products are available online at sniffingriffinsbbq.com, and festival-goers will have the chance to buy them in person at the National BBQ Festival.
“From Long Beach to Long Island, Warren G’s journey continues to evolve – fusing beats with brisket, legacy with flavor, and bringing a whole new meaning to the phrase’regulate the grill.”
| Key Facts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Event Name: National BBQ Festival | Date: June 13–15 | Location: Eisenhower Park |
| Featured Artist: Warren G | Product Line: Sniffin’ Griffins BBQ | Competitive Category: Ribs |
Some Key Highlights
- Warren G will headline the National BBQ Festival on Saturday, June 14.
- The festival promises to be a sensory overload of smoky aromas, sizzling meats, live music, and fierce competition.
- Sniffin’ Griffins BBQ products will be available online and at the festival.
- Warren G’s first foray into professional barbecue competition is a milestone moment for the hip-hop legend.
Meet Warren G: The Man Behind Sniffin’ Griffins BBQ
“To me, music and good food soothe the situation.” – Warren G
“I’m never going to stop doing music, but barbecue is right up there,” Warren said. “It’s just another passion outside of music.”
Warren G, born Warren Griffin III, has sold millions of records worldwide and influenced generations of artists. He’s using those same creative instincts to build Sniffin’ Griffins BBQ.
“Launched in 2019, Sniffin’ Griffins BBQ pays homage to my father, Warren Jr., a U.S. I’m never going to stop doing music, but barbecue is right up there.”
Warren G’s first foray into professional barbecue competition is a milestone moment for the hip-hop legend. Fans can expect his full product line on-site at the National BBQ Festival, including sauces, rubs, and merchandise.
The Future of Sniffin’ Griffins BBQ
Warren G is currently working on new music in Atlanta, collaborating with artists like CeeLo Green, Wiz Khalifa, Icewear Vezzo, LaRussell, and even Lil Wayne.
One standout track, “Mad at All” featuring Wiz, offers a reflective take on the ups and downs of the industry and life.
“We say, ‘We’re not mad at all,’” Warren explained.
