"When the pimp's in the crib ma. Drop it like it's hot. And if a nigga get a attitude. Pop it like it's hot," and well Snoop Dogg is dropping Dogg like it's hot.

Born as Calvin Broadus, the rapper says he was born again during the 35 day stay in Jamaica, in which he discovered the true Rastafarian self and claims he is like Bob Marley, born again, according to the NY Daily News and because of that life-changing trip snoop took, he will now be known as Snoop Lion.

Can you picture yourself no longer saying, "I'm listening to Snoop Dogg" but better yet "I'm listening to Snoop Lion."

"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," he explained at a press conference.

Snoop says he always felt a connection to Marley. "I have always said I was Bob Marley reincarnated. I feel I have always been a Rastafarian. I just didn't have my third eye open, but it's wide open right now."

Bob Marley's son Rohan attended the event that Snoop was speaking at about his name change and gave him his blessing, according to FOX News.

Snoop didn't give an explanation as to why he was switching from "Dogg" to "Lion," but it's likely a reference to the Lion of Judah, a religious symbol popular in Rastafarian and Ethiopian culture.

After being in the rap season sine the early 1990s, Snoop says that genre of music doesn't move him the same way it used to. Instead, this spiritual development is reviving his artistic and creative energy.

"I've been on the top ever since I've been in it," he explained. "I got rap songs that will never die. And that ain't with no disrespect but I'm tired of rap."

While in the studio, Snoop reportedly referred to his musical past in third person, saying, "F*** Snoop Dogg. Don't think about none of the s*** he rapped about: hustling and making money and drug-dealing and shooting. All that s***'ll be out of here."

And now, he's ready to make music that his "kids and grandparents can listen to." In fact, he even performed a few songs at the event, one of which included a song titled, 'No Guns Allowed," which features his daughter.

"I'm a wise man in the music industry," he said. "Not that I'll never do rap again because I'm always gonna do what I love, but right now I'm Snoop Lion and I'm having fun with this reggae movement so hopefully you guys will enjoy it as well."

Snoop Lion is set to release a reggae album in the fall, which will be followed with a documentary that will feature his music and will include personal elements of his life.

At 40 years old, Snoop says after discovering his inner Rastafarian, he feels much younger.

"It feels like I'm 19 or 20 years old again," he said.

Source:

http://www.examiner.com/article/snoop-dogg-changes-name-to-snoop-lion