I remember when Prince became "The Artist Formerly Known As Prince". I remember when Puff Daddy became "Diddy". I remember when Soulja Boy became Soulja Boy Tell 'Em. But no musicians name change has prompted a WTF from me like Snoop Dogg's Lion's. Apparently, Snoop has looked 'pon de light and found Jah. That's right. Snoop is now a Rastafarian.
I understand that identity is complex. Contradictory. Constantly evolving. Fluid. I certainly am not the same person I was 10 years ago. But at the risk of sounding judgmental, I get the sense that Snoop suffers from a perpetual state of adolescent-like identity crisis. A mere three years ago, Snoop Dogg proclaimed himself to be a member of the Nation of Islam. I'm not sure if he became Snoop X privately, but his public persona didn't really change. Before that, he claimed to have given up marijuana but I don't think that lasted too long. With his newfound Rastafari I think we can safely assume the weed-free chapter in his life is closed.
Rastafari is a unique religion with an intriguing history founded (in part) on the idea of self actualization for Black people struggling in the New World. Babylon is a metaphor for oppressive Western societies and Zion (Africa) is to be respected as the cradle of mankind and the Black Man in particular. I guess I'm confused because this is in direct opposition to Snoop's earlier take on Africa, where he thanked slave masters for "bringing us niggas over here". I wish I was lying: