RIP Snoop Dogg — Hello Snoop Lion! [VIDEO]

Snoop Dogg has always referred to himself as "Bob Marley reincarnated." Here, he is pictured with Bob's wife on her birthday. And now he has a documentary, reggae album and new name to go along with his claim.

Upon returning to America from a spirtual journey in Jamacia, Calvin Brodus has officially changed his name and given up rap game!

2012 seems to be the year that many are making their transition to the LIGHT, and Snoop is on that enlightened list!

During a press conference in NYC yesterday, Snoop said that after traveling to Jamaica recently as part of a spiritual cleansing, a Rastafarian priest convinced him to take his life in another direction. The radical transformation began with a name change.

"The High Priest asked me what my name was, and I said, 'Snoop Dogg.' And he looked me in my eyes and said, 'No more. You are the light; you are the lion.'"

Yes, Snoop Dogg changed his name to Snoop Lion, and if you don't know, now you know! But wait, there's more!!!!

"Rap is not a challenge to me. I had enough of that. It's not appealing to me no more. I don't have no challenges. With no disrespect to other rappers, but they can't f*** with me in rap."

Enter the new reggae album Reincartnated, recorded in Jamaica alongside the royal Marley family!

Another reason he gave for his musical shift is a desire "to perform for kids and my grandmother, people around the world who really love me and can't really accept the music that I make," he told press. "This reggae music is music of love – happiness and sadness."

Check out the first single, "La La La."

Make sure you check him out this weekend in Caribana.

And if you're wondering if Snopp still smokes, find out in the video below! He documented the making of the album in a full-lenghth film, set to debut at the Toronto film Festival.