Snoop Lion’s ‘Reincarnated’ Documentary Finds Rapper at Peace With Himself

When Snoop Dogg hosted a press conference in New York City last July for his upcoming album, he also announced that he'd taken on a new identity as Snoop Lion and converted to Rastafarianism.

The Long Beach, Calif., native held a listening session in New York just a few months ago for his upcoming reggae-tinged LP and industry insiders were no doubt befuddled by the rapper's new direction. Thankfully, Snoop had already made plans to clear up the confusion by recruiting Vice Films -- and his own Snoopadelic Films -- to shoot a documentary following his spiritual transition while on vacation in Jamaica last year.

The film, entitled 'Reincarnated,' is set for a limited release in New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Chicago and Atlanta on March 15. Recently, TheDrop.fm had the opportunity to get an advanced look at the documentary inside Atlanta's Plaza Theatre.

'Reincarnated' includes footage from various moments in Snoop's career that led to his spiritual change. Focusing on the different chapters within his personal and professional life, the film draws on several parallels, both visually and figuratively. In one scene, the rapper, born Calvin Broadus, and his cousin, Daz Dillinger are riding to the next location on the island when Daz receives a text relaying the message that his nephew had died.

The sudden loss inspired a following montage where Snoop reflects on all his loved ones that had passed on, including his longtime friend and LBC member Nate Dogg. Footage from Nate's funeral, where Snoop delivered a tearful tribute, flashed across the screen. The initial text sent to Daz inspired a flood of memories and creatively speaking, a song as well, 'Ashtrays & Heartbreaks' -- the production of which was also recorded.

There are several experiences like the aforementioned in 'Reincarnated,' making the film cohesive. By the end, Snoop's conversion seems to be much more logical than it did when first announced in that press conference last summer.

While in Jamaica, Snoop visibly humbles himself. He was seemingly at peace everywhere he went. The documentary even includes the Rastafarian ceremony where Snoop was brought into the faith with a new name. The rapper repeats several times that he feels the values of the religion mimic his own code of conduct, which he hadn't realized until recently.

Even if the hip-hop industry remains skeptical, the Broadus family believes that Snoop is doing what's necessary for himself. It's not a publicity stunt for them. "He used to just come home sometimes and just be mad and nobody knew why," says his daughter Cori. "But he's a lot happier now. He's happy."

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