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:
AllHipHop.com: You mention unity. You recently went to Nigeria. Tell me about your trip to Africa, ’cause I have not yet been. Many people say that such experiences give them clarity on what it means to be Black in America. Did you have any such experiences? Did you learn anything?
Snoop Dogg: I got more in tune with my spirit musically out there, which I knew that I would. That American/African s**t, I’m not into all that s**t – I’m happy where the f**k I’m at; good look for bringin’ us n***as [as slaves] over here, we appreciate that. Good lookin’!
I don't think there is anything wrong with being proud of being American. I don't think there is anything wrong with being grateful or even happy that you don't suffer to the degree that many people in developing nations do. But to trivialize the struggle of your own ancestors, hell your own parents, by THANKING their oppressor is a form of self hate and ignorance that is unique to psychologically broken people. It's also a sign of a very shallow understanding of history. Like, perhaps Africa would be different if a huge chunk of the population has not been transported across the Atlantic. Just as the future has many possibilities, different outcomes could have been forged in the past. But the present is what it is. You don't thank oppressors for that. Have you ever heard a Jew thank the Nazis for helping shift international consensus to support the creation of Israel? No. Because they have DIGNITY. It's all the more confusing because Snoop did NOT come from privilege. He is not one of those Black people who can pretend to be so far removed from poverty and structural violence that it is no longer a real part of their identity in America.
I hope there is some kind of re-education program Snoop Lion has to go through before he commits to this ideology. I don't know many rastas that will take too kindly to thanking slave masters. They will plow their daughters, so I suppose they're grateful for that. But slavery? That's a stretch.
In the meantime I would like to get a betting pot going: What religion or movement do you think Snoop Lion will dabble in next? Scientology? Kabbalah? Snake handling??
Don't hate me, but I also thought about our good friend Ras Trent!
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