Snoop Dogg went to Jamaica a Dogg but returned as Snoop Lion after a religious and artistic awakening.
Not only he claims to be possessed by the spirit of the late reggae icon, he even switched his name Snoop Dogg the new identity Snoop Lion during his spiritual awakening guided by rastafarian priests. Rastafarian priests bestowed the new moniker Snoop Lion upon the music icon when he visited Jamaica in search of “a new path.”
“I didn’t know that until I went to the temple, where the High Priest asked me what my name was, and I said, ‘Snoop Dogg.’ And he looked me in my eyes and said, ‘No more. You are the light; you are the lion.’ From that moment on, it’s like I had started to understand why I was there,” he explained at a press conference.
Born Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr., Lion has always felt a special connection with Jamaica’s most celebrated music legend, according to news.com.au. “I have always said I was Bob Marley reincarnated,” Lion said. “I feel I have always been a Rastafari. I just didn’t have my third eye open, but it’s wide open right now.”
With reggae, Lion has the chance to create music that all ages can enjoy – from children to his grandparents, who might not have been able to enjoy his harder-edged rap catalogue. ”I’m a wise man in the music industry,” he said. “Not that I’ll never do rap again because I’m always gonna do what I love, but right now I’m Snoop Lion and I’m having fun with this reggae movement so hopefully you guys will enjoy it as well.”
Vice Films – in association with Snoopadelic Films – will release a documentary about the artist’s transformation from Snoop Dogg to Snoop Lion at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 7.
If you enjoyed this post, the CAS highly recommends:
25 Celebrity Actors Who Turned Down Blockbuster Movie Roles
