Snoop Dogg Discovers Reggae, Becomes Snoop Lion

Snoop Dogg is no longer gangster, the infamous American rapper has told a press conference that he is changing his stage name to Snoop Lion after a soul-awakening trip to Jamaica.

Snoop - real name Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr - has been working on his new album in the Caribbean island and told journalists yesterday that a visit to a Rastafarian temple prompted not only a change in music direction, but a change in name as well.

According to reports Snoop said, "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 added, "Not that I'll never do rap again because I'm gonna always do what I love, but right now I'm Snoop Lion and I'm having fun with this reggae...

"With no disrespect to other rappers, but they can't fuck with me in rap... I've won every accolade you can get in rap, they call me 'Uncle Snoop' in rap. When you're an uncle, it's time to find something new... I want to feel like a kid again."

Jah rastafari. Droppn heat - spank n iza mixtape out, reggae single out. Onit like I wantit. Droppn mixtapes every tues n thurs!!

— Snoop Dogg (@SnoopDogg) July 31, 2012

Snoop's upcoming album, Reincarnated, will be his first reggae project.

It will also be his first with his 'third eye' open.

"I have always said I was Bob Marley reincarnated. I feel I have always been a Rastafari. I just didn't have my third eye open, but its wide open right now."

Snoop Lion trendn.JAH RASTAFARI #reincarnated #snooplion

— Snoop Dogg (@SnoopDogg) July 31, 2012