Rastafarianism is a form of Christianity. Yes, that means you are to routinely read the Bible and live a positive life. This religion represents peace, love and equality; cannabis is just supposed used for spiritual purposes. Reggae music is supposed to reflect all of these beliefs. So how can a person make such a drastic change? Snoop is attempting to switch from rapping about sex, violence and drugs to Jah/Zion (God/Heaven), peace, political equality, civil rights and women's rights. Does he really grasp the concept of this religion and this music or is he doing it for show?
It appears as if he just woke up one day, threw on a dreadlock beanie and thought "Hey, I look Jamaican today and I like to smoke weed so why not change my name to Snoop Lion?" It is just like someone looking in the mirror and saying “Hey, I look Italian today so why not tell everyone that I am an Italian.” He already has this gangster image that he has been well known for, for almost 30 years. His personality does not accurately reflect the Rastafarian religion at all. He claims that this new-found religion has changed him but the only things that are different are his clothes and his name. He still acts like the same old Snoop. Sadly, he is just feeding the stereotype that being a Rasta is only about smoking weed.
Real Rastas would probably be disappointed and offended to hear that he is the celebrity that wants to represent them. A Rasta doesn’t necessarily need to be Jamaican but the fact that he is not Jamaican would probably irritate them even further. Snoop is nearly 50 years old anyway. He is clearly doing this to stir up controversy and stay relevant in the entertainment industry. I say he should either retire or go back to gangster rap. However, even if he did return to gangster rap, it wouldn’t be the same; he is a millionaire now with a wife and three grown children, he just doesn’t have that lifestyle anymore. Whatever he chooses to do, all I know is I definitely will not be referring to him as Snoop Lion, will you?
I'm glad someone made a post about this. I wish I did. He apparently did go to Jamaica and had a "spiritual awakening." I won't judge how he dresses or acts. I just care about the music he makes. I do see where you are coming from. This is the same guy that almost went to jail back in the 90's. I have learned to accept that nothing will beat his debut album Doggystyle. I am willing to give his "Snoop Lion" a chance. But if it fails, he better pursue on other things in life.
ReplyDelete"He is clearly doing this to stir up controversy and stay relevant in the entertainment industry." I agree that this is the main reason for doing something like this, but I don't think this was his only motivation. "However, even if he did return to gangster rap, it wouldn’t be the same; he is a millionaire now with a wife and three grown children, he just doesn’t have that lifestyle anymore." This quote I disagree with. While the "gangster rap" style relies heavily on content that discusses various hardships in a rappers life, I don't think the fact that he is a millionaire will make his music any worse. The only thing that determines what his music will sound like is his state of mind and what his goals are music wise.
ReplyDeleteWhen rappers become millionaires and decide to make music about still leading a gangster lifetyle, they're essentially being insincere. That is the point I was trying to make, CelticsFan.
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