Rapper Snoop Dogg Is Now A Reggae “Snoop Lion”

Major giggles and smiles at this story.

If you didn’t know, Snoop Dogg has had a sort of metamorphosis. After 20 years of dominating the rap scene, 40-year-old Snoop has decided that he is a reincarnated version of Bob Marley.

Unveiling his new documentary (something to promote?) called Reincarnated, to go along with his new album of the same name, Snoop says in the opening of the film, “F— Snoop Dogg. All that sh– be out of here. Rastafari called me.”

The rapper recently spoke about the movie, which has been chosen to premiere at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival. Here he talked about his transformation from hip-hop/rap star to reggae legend.

Snoop talked to a small media group Monday, which included MTV’s Sway Calloway, his album’s producer Diplo, singer Melanie Fiona, and supporters including Bob Marley’s son, Rohan Marley. He told them, “I always said I was Bob Marley reincarnated.”

Snoop explained that after all these years in hip-hop, his creative edge had been dulled, but a trip to a Rastafarian temple in Jamaica changed all that. Apparently, after meeting a high priest, he was enlightened. “No more. You are the light; you are the lion,’” the priest told him. After this, Snoop decided to change his name to Snoop Lion, and his music direction towards the reggae genre.

Excited about his new transition, Mr. Lion says that he sees this as a “rebirth”, joking that he’s “19 again.” Snoop says that fans can be introduced to his new style by listening to his first single “La La La”, which you can check out below.

I’m not a die-hard reggae fan, but seriously, I like this song, and I’m looking forward to hearing more!