Snoop Dogg's Relationship with Faith Including the Nation of Islam and Rastafarianism

Rapper and actor Snoop Dogg, a Los Angeles icon since the early 90s, has had a very interesting relationship with different religions, including Rastafarianism.

In 2018, Snoop Dogg made headlines after releasing his first gospel album titled “Bible of Love.” Although it quickly topped the Billboard Gospel Albums Chart, the rapper was heavily criticized.

Those who have been following Snoop Dogg’s career know that many of his songs are about drugs, sex, and other not-so-gospel themes.

SNOOP DOGG’S GOSPEL ALBUM

However, the rapper defended his album by saying that he always had gospel music influences. He added that he referred to his “savior Jesus Christ” on most of the records he made.

Apart from that, Snoop Dogg claimed that he always had moments to reflect on Jesus and lets people know that he is a born again Christian.

The rapper even pointed out that “Bible of Love” was a spirit-driven project, not a money-driven one. For all those reasons, he decided that it was time for him to “put my money where my mouth was.” About the critics, he said:

“I thought church was supposed to welcome sinners. […] if you finding somebody trying to find their way back home, the natural thing to do is be warm and welcoming.”

During an interview with Jimmy Kimmel, Snoop Dogg admitted that the gospel album was his idea. He wanted to make something representing “peace, love, and happiness” as we are living in a world full of negativity and violence.

The rapper also shared his vision of heaven: a beautiful and happy place where people love each other, and there are no diseases or violence.

People don’t take his affiliation to the Christian faith too seriously.

SNOOP DOGG’S RELIGIOUS JOURNEY

While Snoop Dogg’s gospel album was quite controversial, it was not the first time his faith made headlines. Back in 2008, he revealed he had converted to Mormonism, a religious tradition of the Latter-Day Saints movement of Restorationist Christianity.

The rapper even opened up on his experience with Mormon missionaries claiming that he was “hooked from the start” as they talked about life’s purpose, played “Mousetrap,” and ate brownies.

Then, in 2009, Snoop Dogg confessed he had joined the Nation of Islam, a group founded in 1930 to promote Black Americans' conditions. One of its most famous members was Malcolm X.

Apart from praising the group’s supreme minister and representative Louis Farrakhan, Snoop Dogg opened up about his reasons for joining the group, and it was all about peace. He added:

“My whole thing is not about really trying to push my thing on you. It's just about the way I live, and I live how I'm supposed to live as far as doing [and representing] what's right.”

SNOOP DOGG’S A RASTAFARI

After visiting Jamaica in 2011, three years after joining the Nation of Islam, the rapper attracted a lot of attention after announcing his conversion to Rastafarianism.

This movement considers that Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia was the Messiah and that Black people are, in fact, the chosen ones who will eventually return to their African homeland.

Snoop Dogg took a film crew with him to Jamaica and met with plenty of Rastafarians who shared their knowledge and even baptized him into their religion.

Apart from that, the rapper said he didn’t want to be called Snoop Dogg anymore but Snoop Lion. He also released a reggae album and said he wanted to start a charity to help poor people in Jamaica.

Following the release of “Bible of Love,” it is fair to say that the rapper is now into Christianity, but again, people don’t take his affiliation to the Christian faith too seriously given his voluntary retirement from different religions.

What is clear is that his relationship with Shante Broadus is one of the longest one in the entertainment industry. Despite all of the obstacles, Snoop Dogg’s wife has been by his side for over two decades.