Hear him roar
He Ain't Lion or is he? Snoop Dogg changes name, gives up rap and isReincarnated
Three months ago, Snoop Dogg was pandering on stage at Coachella as he rapped classic West Coast gangsta hits with Dr. Dre and Holographic Tupac. You would think being a part of that monumental “resurrection” event would be the most shock-inducing event of Snoop's year. But now the iconic figure has declared he's giving up rap and changing his name.
The Doggfather, aka Snoop Dizzle aka Snoop Doggy Dog aka Calvin Cordozar Broadus would now prefer to be called “Snoop Lion.”
Snoop decided to drop the name given to him 20 years ago (by his mother of all people) that has become synonymous with gansta rap after a spiritual "re-education" during a recent trip to Jamaica.
The reason for the change? As he states in an upcoming documentary of his life, Snoop believes his “life is lived in stages. Whether it is performing live on stage or going through stages in life. That’s what my life has always been based on. And that’s what forced me to find a new path.”
During his trip, Snoop was re-christened "Snoop Lion" by a Rastafarian priest, who clearly does not realize Snoop's mother's involvement or the fact that "Snoop Lion" doesn't even make any damn sense.
The reason for the change? Snoop believes his “life is lived in stages....And that’s what forced me to find a new path.” Apparently, this new title will set him on that new path.
It is more than safe to assume that there was a copious amount of ganja being smoked both before and during his spiritual awakening, as marijuana is one of the accepted components of the Rastafarian religion.
The reason for the change? As he states in an upcoming documentary, Snoop believes his “life is lived in stages. Whether it is performing live on stage or going through stages in life. That’s what my life has always been based on. And that’s what forced me to find a new path.” Apparently, this new title will set him on that new path.
VICE magazine was with Snoop in Jamaica as he began the journey on this path, filming the events that led to his transition. The result is the new film Reincarnated, which premieres at the Toronto International Film Festival next month.
So a musician changed his name, big deal. It happens regularly in the industry, right? Two of the most obvious examples are the Artist Formerly Known as Prince and Puff Daddy (or Puffy or P. Diddy or just Diddy. If we have forgotten one, please comment).
It is instead Snoop’s new musical style that has fans and insiders scratching their heads. The renamed Rastafarian is apparently done with rap. "It ain’t with no disrespect, but I’m tired of rapping,” he says.
The Doggfather of Rap doesn’t want to rhyme about “droppin’ it like it’s hot” or "that gangsta shit" anymore and is committing himself to reggae music and the Rastafarian religion, which emphasizes peace, love and unity. Essentially, everything that hip hop isn’t.
One subject of his music that is sure to remain the same: Snoop’s love of the chronic.
His first reggae album as Snoop Lion is set for release this year and includes the single “La La La” (released last month). Diplo produced the album along with members of his side project, Major Lazer.
The album is entitled Reincarnated — a title that derives from his belief that he is in fact the reincarnation of Bob Marley, despite Marley having died in 1981 and Snoop having been born in 1971.
