Rastafarianism holds that the late Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie was not only the messiah, he also descended from King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. Unlike dogs, lions hold a place of pride in Rasta theology, explained Edmonds, author of a forthcoming history of the religious movement. The new documentary, "Reincarnated," captures the rapper's conversion in Jamaica last February. The priest, a member of the most traditional branch of Rastafarianism, Nyabingi, rechristened the rapper Snoop Lion. Little surprise, then, that a Rasta priest in Jamaica shook his head and said "no more" when the man born as Calvin Broadus introduced himself as Snoop Dogg. It expresses how the corrupt world - Babylon, in Rasta theology - had distorted the rapper's true spiritual nature. "Rastas would probably see calling yourself a dog as an indication of lack of self-knowledge," Edmonds said. But the faith was born in Jamaica, where calling someone a dog is deeply insulting, Edmonds said. The religious movement doesn't require converts to change their names. So, did the onetime gangsta rapper have to drop the "d-o-double-g" when he became a Rasta? Yes, and no, said Ennis Edmonds, a scholar at Kenyon College and an expert on Rastafarianism. "I want to bury Snoop Dogg and become Snoop Lion," he said at a press conference. Announcing his conversion to Rastafarianism on Monday (July 30), the rapper unveiled a new answer to that lyrical question. Snoop Lion pulls off this album off stronger than Lil Wayne did rock ( Rebirth), but still, Snoop is best suited spitting over luxurious west-coast beats.(RNS) Snoop Dogg scored a huge hit with the hip-hop anthem "What's My Name?" back in 1993. That said, the effort still stumbles into the pitfalls of a musician altering his direction and leaving his comfort zone. Uneven though sometimes enjoyable, Reincarnated is surprisingly better than expected. “La La La”, the best of the bonus quartet, would’ve been at home on the standard edition. While the song has good intentions with its weighty message, it just misses the mark. Cyrus’s vocals are incredibly quick, over-processed, and barely decipherable on the hook. Worse is the album’s most shocking collaborative effort, “Ashtrays and Heartbreaks” featuring Miley Cyrus. “The Good Good”, featuring Iza, is merely good enough and nothing more while “Torn Apart”, featuring British pop star Rita Ora, sounds more quirky and unexceptional than valedictory. From thereon, things take a questionable turn. “Tired of Running” is assured, given its cover status (from Akon’s 2006 album Konvicted). The hook is simple and direct: “Smoke the weed, everyday / don’t smoke the seeds, no way / smoke the weed.” Profound it ain’t, but Snoop also manages to tie in mother nature. Drake delivers one of the best moments: “Bullets do not choose a victim / it is the shooter that picks ‘em / they just can’t wait to get you in the system / the district attorney could use a conviction.” “Fruit Juice” contrasts by going smaller, while the obligatory ode to marijuana arrives via “Smoke the Weed”, featuring Collie Budz. Single “No Guns Allowed” atones, featuring Snoop’s daughter Cori B as well as Canadian rapper Drake. Manic and overambitious, the song is all over the place. “Get Away” proves even less triumphant, in spite of slick production work. “So Long” remains pleasant, if less alluring, adhering to more of a traditional reggae sound. Possessing the total package, “Lighters Up” benefits from superb production and being enjoyable. Even given the positive message of rising above haters, Snoop’s best line comes way of “Ganja makes me lord of the land.” Closing a solid opening trio, “Lighten Up” features Mavado and Popcaan, both Jamaican musicians. Snoop Lion delivers his verses soundly enough, though it is the hook that highlights: “You can’t run away, run away / you gotta face this… time is moving fast.” “Here Comes the King” follows capably, featuring vocal assistance from Angela Hunte, who thrills on the hook. The production work balances traditional reggae cues while keeping in step with contemporary production work. “Rebel Way” opens Reincarnated with great promise. Look no further than Reincarnated’s smoke-filled cover art. While the new Snoop refrains from many of the excesses of his gangsta past, he does, in Jamaican/reggae tradition, continue to assert his love for weed. The ‘reincarnated’ artist keeps things relatively clean. Another break with the past comes with Snoop’s eschewal of the infamous parental advisory label. Throughout the course of the 12-track set (16 tracks in deluxe form), Snoop Lion sings or pop-raps, never assimilating into his traditional MC flow. Switching gears from a comfort zone of gangsta rap, Snoop’s 2013 effort Reincarnated, released via RCA, is a reggae album.
Snoop Lion arrives as the alter ego of veteran west coast rapper Snoop Dogg.
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