In 2013, Long Beach rapper Snoop Dogg decided to reinvent himself. Most known for being an emcee, the weed-loving act resonated with Rastafarianism in the early 2000s, and, as such, decided to visit Jamaica and explore the beliefs and traditions associated with Rastafarianism.
Snoop (real name Calvin Broadus) is most likely to have been interested in how Rastafarians consider the Cannabis leaf as a religious herb and the spiritual lens through which they view the practice of smoking it.
Reggae music is one of Jamaica’s biggest exports. The jazzy and uptempo calypso of Trinidad, Grenada and Barbados is a far cry from reggae’s slow, relaxing bass, which has become one of the island’s most well-known musical assets.
As Broadus reached the end of his commercial run in 2010, he explored various avenues, such as acting alongside Wiz Khalifa in Mac Devin Go To High School and making reggae music. The Doggystyle musician visited Kingston and even the neighbourhood of Trenchtown, where Bob Marley.
While recording his 2013 album Reincarnated, Snoop Dogg introduced himself to a lot of reggae and Caribbean music for inspiration and ended up having some personal favourites. Below, you can see Snoop Dogg’s five favourite reggae tracks.
Snoop Dogg’s five favourite reggae songs ever:
5. Steel Pulse – ‘Roller Skates’
“Life without music I can’t go go…” pretty much sums up the way I feel about this song. It reminds me to always explore and keep my ears open to new music, genres and artists.”
4. Gregory Isaacs – ‘Rumours’
“A real classic song from Gregory Isaacs that’s just an overall feel good track that makes me happy.”
3. Snoop Lion, ‘No Guns Allowed’
“Of course this song means a lot to me. Not only is it featured on my Reincarnated album and features Drake and my baby girl Cori B, but it’s a strong message that our nation needs right now with all the tragic events occurring. We need a song like this to help spread the message of “non-violence” and the bring peace, love and unity to our communities all over the world, which is the theme throughout my entire project.”
2. Peter Tosh – Legalize It
“The message is in the title!! JAH RASTAFARI!”
1. Bob Marley – ‘Redemption Song’
“This is poetry at it’s best. The almighty Bob Marley inspires me on a daily basis and couldn’t have said it better — “Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds.”
