Variety
The Blue & White Flash Page 7 - September 6, 2012
Rapper Snoop Dogg to release new ablum as ‘Snoop Lion’ Derrick Walton Staff Writer Yes, it’s true! Famous Rapper Snoop Dogg has changed his name to Snoop Lion and transitioned his genre from hip-hop to reggae. According to the Washington Post, a trip to Jamaica gave Snoop Dogg a different view on life and he was born again. “I want to bury Snoop Dogg, and become Snoop Lion,” the 20-year-rap veteran said in the Washington Post article. “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.” Snoop Dogg, who was known to rap about things such as murder and misogyny, now wants to sing music that people like his family can enjoy. Hip-Hop isn’t based on peace and harmony when comparing it to reggae music and Snoop Dogg wants to change the image of his music career.
“I think Snoop Dogg, by being so far in the game, will probably have to set his space and do something different,” said Darnell Cannon, a freshman business administration major from Marietta, Ga. Martel Williams, a freshman engineering major from Lake Charles, La. said, “He’s making a big change and trying to do something with himself.” According to Foxnews.com, Snoop stated, “As a 40-year-old man ... I’ve got to give them something,” he said. “That’s what you do when you’re wise.” Some music fans do not believe the change will be beneficial for the rapper. “I don’t think he will be successful changing genres of music,” said Arianna Cargin, a freshman biology major from Jackson, Miss. Snoop however makes it clear in an Allhiphop.com report that he is not fully retiring from Hip-Hop, but felt a need to express his personal growth through the music. Music fans will have to wait to see if this transition pays off for the veteran rapper when he releases his first reggae album, entitled “Reincarnated” this fall.
Photo: Alain Williams for http://martlet.ca
Depiction of Snoop Dogg as ‘Snoop Lion,’ the name he will use for his upcoming reggae album.