Snoop Lion’s (born Snoop Dogg) high profile conversions to Rastafari and Reggae have caused somewhat of a stir in the world of music. The Rastafarian community hasn’t slept on this news either, articulated through the words of Benjamin Zephaniah, a British poet, writer, musician and prominent Rastafarian, who in his latest column for the Guardian newspaper writes to help diffuse some of the presumptions of Rastafarianism – and that Snoop Lion’s newfound philosophies of love and happiness are better communicated via the wider reaching medium of Hip Hop.

Zephaniah raises concerns that Snoop Lion has misunderstood the Rastafari religion:

Snoop, it seems, like many misunderstanders, believes that to be a Rastafarian you have to make, or listen, to reggae music, he believes that you have to wear red, gold and green hats, he believes that you have to smoke marijuana, all stereotypes that on the whole have done us no favours.

Perhaps he thinks Snoop could be more harm than good:

We need enough ambassadors to show the range of ideas within Rastafari. We need people to break down the stereotypes and show the diversity within our community, but sadly I don’t see that happening any time soon.

However, Snoop Lion isn’t all that guilty of sin:

… [Snoop Lion’s reggae] album is actually quite good, and after hearing him speak I have to confess I was moved. He spoke of using his music to spread love and happiness, he said he wants to contribute to the “struggle”, and teach people how to grow and become wise. He even wants to start a charity to help the poor, downtrodden people of Jamaica; he just wants to be nice.

But Zephaniah argues that the latest high profile Rastafarian is better off using his past:

Rastas know who they are, but Snoop has been at the top of the commercial hip hop tree for so long without knowing who he is…. Rastas don’t really need to hear more messages about Rastas

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