Snoop Dogg now known as Snoop Lion, readies reggae debut
Iconic rapper Snoop Dogg has changed his stage name to Snoop Lion and will unveil a new album of reggae tunes this fall, all after a self-described life-changing stay in Jamaica.
The "Gin & Juice" rapper is currently on the road for a handful of shows, continuing tonight (8/2) in Canandaigua, NY, and pushing through an Aug. 25 festival appearance in Los Angeles.
Earlier this year, Snoop spent 35 days on the Caribbean island of Jamaica, once the home of the late Bob Marley, in an effort to remain isolated and focus on his music.
"For this project, I had no intention of making a reggae album, but the spirit called me," Snoop explained. "Anytime the spirit calls you gotta know that it's serious and real."
Earlier this week (7/31), Snoop Lion explained the moniker change at New York City's Miss Lily's, a Jamaican-themed restaurant and record store.
"I didn't want to be Snoop Dogg on a reggae track...I wanted to bury Snoop Dogg and become Snoop Lion, but I didn't know that until I went to the temple and received the name Snoop Lion from the Nyabingi priest,” Snoop said. "From that moment on, I started to understand why I was there and was able to create something magical in this [Reincarnated] project ... something I haven't done before in my career."
Snoop's reggae debut, "Reincarnated," was recorded during his stay, and the lead single, "La La La," surfaced July 20. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Jamaica's independence on Aug. 6, Snoop has produced 1962 copies of a limited-edition 7" vinyl to distribute, according to a press release.
A documentary featuring footage from the performer's Jamaican experience will debut at the Toronto International Film Festival Sept. 7. Photos from the trip, shot by Los Angeles photography Willie T, will be unleashed in book format later this year via Vice Media.
2 - Canandaigua, NY - Constellation Brands Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center
3 - Toronto, Ontario - The Hoxton
4 - Montreal, Quebec - Osheaga Music & Arts Festival
5 - Atlanta, GA - Georgia World Congress Center
11 - Budapest, Hungary - Sziget Festival
12 - Krakow, Poland - Coke Live Music Festival
16 - Hasselt, Belgium - Pukkelpop
24 - Englewood, CA - Fall Jam
25 - Los Angeles, CA - Univision Radio H20 Music Festival
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