Snoop Lion? Snoop Changes His Name After Jamaica Trip
He started off as Snoop Doggy Dogg, so it was no surprise when the rapper decided he wanted to be referred to as simply Snoop Dogg. But what may be a surprise is that the name has changed again, and the artist formerly known as Snoop Dogg now wants to be called Snoop Lion. Oh, he also says that he is Bob Marley reincarnated.
Apparently all of these changes stem from a trip the newly dubbed Snoop Lion took to Jamaica this February, where he says he was “born again,” according to the Associated Press. Perhaps fittingly, the artist will release a reggae album later this year, and wants to make music his “kids and grandparents can listen to,” rather records with lyrics about guns and gang culture.
“I feel like I’ve always been Rastafarian,” Snoop said a press conference announcing the changes. While in Jamaica, he visited a temple where he was renamed Snoop Lion, and he was also giving the Ethiopian name Berhane, which means “light of the world.” The AP speculates that the Lion change may refer to the Lion of Judah, which is a popular symbol in Rastafarian and Ethiopian culture.
He said at the conference that he will not be retiring completely from hip-hop, but he is tired of the genre.
“Reggae was calling… it’s a breath of fresh air,” he said. “Rap isn’t challenging.”
For a small crowd at the conference, he played five songs, including one called “No Guns Allowed.” The songs contains the lyrics, “No guns allowed in here tonight, we’re going to have a free for all, no fights.” He touched on his new attitude towards guns when he spoke, as well.
“It’s so tragic that people are doing stupid things with guns,” he said…later adding that he is excited to perform music his family can listen to.
“As a 40-year-old man… I’ve got to give them something,” he said. “That’s what you do when you’re wise.”