It may sound as if Snoop Dogg has gone barking mad, but at a conference meeting on Monday, the rapper said he was "born again" after a 35 day stay in Jamaica. From now on, he will embrace reggae music, leaving behind the gangster rap and hip-hop that he is known for today.

Oddly enough, he claims that while in Jamaica he felt a connection to Bob Marley, and he believes that he is now "Bob Marley reincarnated" . Snoop Lion, as he is now known as, is quoted as saying he feels like he has always been a Rastafarian, which is the spiritual Jamaican movement. It was in a temple there that he switched his name from "Dogg" to "Lion". This may have some reference to the Lion of Judah, a religious symbol in Rastafarian culture, but it is not certain that this is the reason. His new album, which is to be released in Autumn, will be named "Reincarnation". This album will be followed by a documentary going by the same name, both produced by Vice. The trailer can be found on his website, www.snooplion.com .

During his stay in Jamaica, the musician grew closer to his wife, and is said to be excited to play music that his wife and children can listen to. "As a 40 year old man... I've got to give them something," he said. "That's what you do when you're wise." Although he is not completely retiring from rap, Snoop says "Reggae was calling" and that the genre of rap is no longer challenging, causing him to be "tired" of it. His new music includes a song called "No Guns Allowed" , a song which features his daughter and one that he performed to a small crowd in Jamaica.

Will Snoop Lions music be as popular as hits by Snoop Dogg such as "Drop it like it's hot"? Only time will tell!

Sources:Associated Press, dailymail.co.uk and images from Google