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.

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Waddle We Have Here

3 endangered penguin chicks just hatched at Galveston's Moody Gardens

A Humboldt penguin chick in an Easter Basket at Moody Gardens

Photo courtesy of Moody Gardens

Look what showed up in an Easter Basket!

Galveston's Moody Gardens announced this week that it has successfully hatched three Humboldt penguin chicks in the Aquarium Pyramid, the first time the facility has done so.

“This is our first ever time having Humboldt penguin chicks, so we’re very excited,” said Amy Jones, a biologist who works with the penguins and seals at Moody Gardens.

Two chicks were born to penguins Yolanda and Cusco, and another to Marcona and Ballesta, all between March 15 and 18. Aquarium staff has been monitoring the chicks and their parents, and all seem to be thriving.

Humboldt penguins are warm weather penguins that naturally inhabit the coasts of Peru and Chile. Moody Gardens introduced Humboldt penguins to its aquarium in 2017. A burrowing species, mating pairs lay and protect eggs in protected nests.

The new chicks will remain secluded in their nesting box for the time being until they develop their waterproof feathers. The parents are keeping them warm and fed. Sex will be determined via DNA testing at a later date, after which the chicks will be named and formally introduced to the public.

Achieving viable Humboldt penguins hatchings is a significant feat for a program that is less than 10 years old, according to Moody Gardens. The birds require strict diets and climate controlled habitats to thrive, and successfully housing a colony of 12 in an environment that makes them comfortable enough to breed is quite an achievement. Engagement and stimulation is key, and visitors to the aquarium can often see the penguins playing with bubbles and toys that simulate activity in the natural environment.

Successful hatchings are also a win in the fight against extinction. Humboldt penguins are classified as a vulnerable species, with only about 23,000 left worldwide. The birds are heavily impacted by El Niño events that disrupt the nutrient-rich Humboldt current that forms the base of the penguins' food pyramid. Driven by man-made climate change, these events are increasing in number and severity. Overfishing, pollution, habitat loss, and being caught in fishing nets also accounts for a decline in the population, according to press materials. Programs like the one at Moody Gardens help educate the public on the dangers the penguins face in the wild.

The real question is: when will visitors be allowed to see the babies? Staff continues to monitor the chicks with regular weigh-ins. The chicks will remain in the nesting boxes for at least several weeks until they are mature enough to start entering safe areas and, eventually, the main habitat. In the meantime, people can see videos on the Moody Gardens Instagram page.

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