Snoop Dogg has had a change of heart. In the documentary, “Reincarnated,” about the making of his new reggae-influenced album of the same name, he explains that he felt the need to put positive energy and love into the universe through his music. “There”s so much negativity and death and destruction that we need to match that with peace, love and happiness, as opposed to matching that negative with a negative,” he tells HitFix.
As the documentary, which opens Friday, chronicles, Snoop Dogg, now known as Snoop Lion, goes to Jamaica to record “Reincarnated” with production duo Major Lazer at the helm. While much of the movie shows him getting stoned with any and everyone, there are also poignant segments that touch upon his path and light the way to his unexpected conversion to Rastafarianism. “I wasn”t expecting nothing but a reggae album, and the spirit called me,” he tells HitFix.
As he records, he meets with Bunny Wailer, helps his cousin through a tragedy that occurs during their trip, and tries to resolve the horrible pain he still feels about his friend Nate Dogg”s death, as well as Tupac Shakur”s murder. He also discovers a sense of connection between the rappers, like Bob Marley, growing up in Trenchtown in Jamaica and his own upbringing in Long Beach, Calif. “It gave me a feeling of, ‘wow, music is the same no matter where you go.” It made me feel like what we were doing as kids was definitely destiny.”
A few days ago, I interviewed Snoop at Westlake Recording Studios in West Hollywood, Calif. Though he was running about 90 minutes behind, when I did sit down with him (he, of course, was lighting up between interviews), he was very forthcoming about the project and how long he thinks Snoop Lion will be around (will he ever sing “Gin & Juice” again?). He candidly addressed why he will never be able to let go of Tupac”s death, and had a few words for Wailer, who has disavowed Snoop”s reggae career and the intention behind it.
Whether it”s the marijuana or his nature or both, Snoop Dogg is definitely the mellowest person I”ve even interviewed who was vertical.
The album, “Reincarnated,” which also features Drake and Chris Brown, as well as Snoop”s daughter, Cori B, comes out April 23. He also talks about how being a parent informed his changes.