Snoop Dogg has had a spiritual awakening.  The rapper has traded in his famous moniker for Snoop Lion and revealed further plans for a reggae album inspired by his journey to Jamaica.

During a press junket at Jamaican-themed record store and restaurant, Miss Lily’s, Snoop introduced his reggae alter ego and Reincarnated project, which includes an album produced by Diplo and the Major Lazer production team, documentary, photo book, and a non-profit initiative called Mind Garden.

He was originally planning to do another “gangsta” album, but had an epiphany one day.  “This called me and it put all of that to rest,” he said.  “Anytime the spirit calls you, you gotta know that it’s serious and it’s real.  When the spirit called me, it told me to find something that was connected towards the Bob Marley spirit.  Because I’ve always said that I was Bob Marley reincarnated.”

He hopes the album will appeal to people of all ages.  “I’ve always wanted to perform for kids and my grandmother and people around the world who really love me that can’t really accept the music that I make,” he explained.  “This reggae music is a music of love, happiness, and struggle.  Now as a 40-year-old man in the music industry and the artists call me Uncle Snoop, I gotta give them something new.”

He revealed one powerful song called “No Guns Allowed.”  “It’s so real with so much shooting and killing going on in this world, and nobody ever speaks on it until it happens.  And I’m tired of it.  We made this record because I’ve always wanted to make a song that can stand for something.”

While he may return to rap one day, for now, he’s enjoying being Snoop Lion.  “I’m a wise man in the music industry, not that I’m never gonna ever do rap again because I’m gon’ always 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.  Jah Rastafari.”

Listen to “La La La,” the first single from Reincarnated