Ninja Man NOT Bad Just UGLY "Twins Of Twins"

Dancehall duo Twin of Twins are expressing discontent with Ninja Man's recent comments in which he challenged them to defend themselves against males instead of dissing Stacious.

According to member, Curly Locks, there is no credibility for Ninja Man because he is yet to defend himself against Merciless and Bounty Killer.

The Twins were referring to an interview with the veteran deejay that appeared in the last Saturday's STAR in which he pointed out that they were defeated in a lyrical clash with fellow deejay Tony Matterhorn.Ninja is also included in the intro for a song with Stacious where he verbally assaulted the Twins.

But according to the Twins; "Ninja Man really a talk bout lose clash? Him nuh get back him title from Merciless yet. How much time Bounty Killer slaughter him? All young artiste name History Man Kill yuh a Clarendon," Curly Lox said.

The twins also professed that Ninja Man is not the clash artiste who he proclaims himself to be. They claim the veteran only uses image to his advantage.

bad mind

"Ninja a you a diss comedy, when you whole life a joke? A just because yu ugly mek people believe seh you bad. Low Beenie Man cause nuh body nuh bad mind Shabba like yu. You haven't done quarter of what Beenie Man has done for dancehall. Your only hit song was Free Food Ticket. Nuh you fight Shabba an him overcome you bad mind an guh buss di world an lef yuh a Jamaica a duh one show a year?" Curly Lox further declared.

He further went on to class Ninja as old and miserable and someone who deserves pity.

"We understand Ninja Man's anguish, anybody wudda feel worthless fi get so old and nuh accomplish nothing. So we pity him for having to live in such a 'disillusional' state of mind where he overestimates his significance in the dancehall industry," he continued.

"People are always quick to talk about having respect for elders/veterans, wah should a happen wen veteran diss youth? As for your threats, please remember, ' Yuh old bone can't set," Curly Lox said.

no personal problems

In terms of Stacious, the duo said that they have no personal problems with her and expressed that she should have viewed their counteraction of her song in the same light in which she viewed her song Talk.

"We would like to clarify the fact that we don't have any ill-will towards her as we see her comments as just musical. We have also encouraged her that she should view our comments in the same light when we respond. Our song titled Weh Im Deh, which is a response to "ALL" critics wasn't done exclusively for this individual (Stacious)," he said.

He also refuted Ninja Man's claim that they were belittling female artistes.

"Any woman who wants to succeed will do so in any field, so long as they have the pride and common sense to safeguard their dignity and not fall prey to the short cuts offered by, mostly weak and ignoble men in control. Women with true talent and pride tend to make it despite the corruption; for example Etana, Tanya Stephens, Alaine, Tessanne Chin, and Queen Ifrica, just to name a few," he added.

The star

Popcaan and Tommy Lee Are Opportunists Vybz Kartel Speaks

As if there wasn’t enough drama resulting from the recent dissolution of the Portmore Empire, now the group’s former leader has thrown more gasoline on the proverbial fire with a stern rebuking of his ex-protégés.

According to several reports, incarcerated Dancehall superstar and former Empire founder, Vybz Kartel released a damning statement against his former group mates on Thursday, insinuating that prominent protégés, Popcaan and Tommy Lee are no longer committed to the ‘Gaza’ cause, labeling both artistes as ‘opportunists.’

The statement was reportedly issued through ex-Empire singer, Vanessa ‘Gaza Slim’ Saddler, who sent said statement to Anthony Miller of TVJ’s Entertainment Report.

The alleged statement reads, "I just want u to let the people know that all a dem runnin’ aroun’ sayin’ ‘Gaza, Gaza’ are not real. Before I came here we were 'good.’ No animosity, but within a week of my arrest, they started giving other people managerial and booking positions. But where were these people when I was building their careers? When I was investing time and money to transform them from nobody to somebody? They are opportunists and fake. I'm not surprised because this is Dancehall and I have no problem with them making their money. But I jus’ don't want them to be all over the place exploiting a movement that I built with blood sweat and tears when they and I know they aren't real. I want them to stop. The only two loyal people are Slim and Sheba (the girls) and maybe it’s because they haven't fully realized their potential.”

This news comes several weeks after back and forth exchanges between Popcaan and former Empire singjay, Gaza Slim following a statement made by the former deejay address his status within the ‘Gaza’ as well as relationship with Vybz Kartel.

Furthermore, reports suggest that Vybz Kartel wanted a sizeable portion of Tommy Lee’s booking and publishing rights in an effort to exert more control over the Some Bwoy singer’s career while also implying that Popcaan owes ‘Di Teacha’ money in relation to bookings fees.

Kartel has publicly lashed out against former protégés before, doing so after ex-members like Black Ryno and Lisa Hyper left the Portmore Empire. The once dominant super group has also lost members such as Jahvinci, Kym Hamilton, co-founder, Deva Bratt and former Empire producer, Ainsley ‘Notnice’ Morris.

In a swift response to Kartel’s statement, Lisa Hyper disputed claims made by the self-professed ‘Worl’ Boss,’ intimating during an interview with one876entertainment.com that ‘Di Teacha’ should never take full credit for the growing ‘Gaza’ movement.

"Who is him fi talk bout loyalty? Him not even loyal to him (expletive) self. Him right fi say ah only dem two de, Sheba and Slim ah the most loyal to him because dem ah de two foolest people pon the Gaza, dem not even know what a split sheet is, dem nuh know nothing bout the business. Kartel caan stop nobody from say Gaza, Gaza belong to everybody now, this is a movement, Gaza mean fight for what you believe in and Kartel caan tek Gaza from nobody, Popcaan and Tommy Lee caan siddown and wait pon him fi come out, and further, Gaza belong to everybody, it bigger than Adidja Palmer, it bigga than me, it bigga than everybody who help start it. Mi breathe Gaza, mi bleed Gaza, Gaza for life," she said.

More details of this ongoing saga will emerge on TVJ’s Entertainment Report this Friday night featuring Kartel’s statement as well as reaction from the aforementioned Tommy Lee, who reportedly expresses his loyalty to the ‘Gaza’ in his interview with ER, despite his mentor’s comments.

VYBZ KARTEL NAMES SHEBA & GAZA SLIM AS THE REMAINING LOYALIST

Incarcerated Dancehall Superstar Vybz Kartel despite his legal woes his still having his say within the music industry even if bail isn’t an option.

Though his troubles, he his still as controversial as ever and is one of, if not the biggest artiste locally. The entertainer who molded and championed the infamous group Portmore Empire / Gaza had protojes such as Blak Ryno, Jah Vinchi, Lisa Hyper amongst others that paved the way for Gaza Slim, Sheba, Popcaan & Tommy Lee after their departure or being disbanded.

Now the group which has always managed to deliver hits has always been the center of some controversy but its in recent times with Kartel scraping the group from behind bars & rumors of Popcaan selling out that was the highlight and showed the new direction of Kartel with a new group emerging called PG 13 with Tommy Lee & Gaza Slim named as members.

According to a highly place source its alleged that, Vybz Kartel has stated that both Tommy Lee & Popcaan is no longer loyal to him or the Gaza/PG 13. In an alleged statement issued by him he labels the two as opportunist.

In addition he names SHEBA & GAZA SLIM as the only two artiste who has remain steadfast & resolute. He endorses them as the two that will hold the Gaza fort till he returns.

Its also alleged that Vybz Kartel reasons for dropping Popcaan is due his demand for fees of $1,000,000JMD which the artiste didn’t pay in full & now Tommy Lee which is the latest artiste to not have his blessing, is due his demand for 30% Booking Fee which the artiste camp wouldn’t allow.

The story which will be exclusive on Entertainment Report this Friday will make note of the alleged statement issued by Vybz Kartel and Tommy Lee’s reactions to it.
Stay Tuned for further updates.

"No Yaad Swag. The people say Street Vybz Rum" Corey Todd

After months off local shelves, the Street Vybz Rum brand has been officially re-introduced to the Jamaican market following a truce struck between the product’s high profile creators.
Prominent American businessman, Corey Todd and embattled Dancehall superstar, Vybz Kartel recently announced the restoration of their business partnership after a very public falling out that took place in May of last year.
With their resolution came the announcement that Kartel and Todd would bring back to popular Street Vybz Rum brand that initially debuted in 2009.
According to Todd, the overwhelming demand for Street Vybz Rum became too difficult to ignore, thus prompting he and Kartel to once again supply the liquor brand. Despite Street Vybz being off the market for several months, Todd believes that the product will once again find favor with customers while intimating that new flavors will be added to diversify the brand.

“Nothing needs to be different about Street Vybz rum. The fans of Vybz Kartel loved it just the way it was. It was the rum that changed the rum market in Jamaica for dancehall patrons. We made rum cool and no longer for rum heads. No one can take that accomplishment from us. The only thing is that we will now explore the export opportunities that were passed on because of the split, so Street Vybz will become an international brand shortly," Todd told the Jamaica STAR.

"Right now all the major wholesales have placed their orders so fans can check every Chiney man.”

However, a stumbling block does exist regarding the marketing of Street Vybz Rum as Vybz Kartel remains incarcerated while awaiting trial in a pair of murder cases later this year. But, according to Todd, some of Kartel’s esteemed protégés will help to promote Street Vybz until its focal point cops freedom.

"The name of the rum is Street 'Vybz', so 'Vybz' Kartel will always be the face of the product. Other artistes in the Gaza will hold some of the weight until he returns. Tommy Lee is the hottest 'un-incarcerated' artiste right now so he's a very appropriate representative for the product," Todd said.

While Street Vybz Rum was shelved, Todd had been promoting Yaad Swag, a rum brand that he created while using artistes such as Beenie Man, Khago and Aidonia to market the product.
However, with Street Vybz returning, Todd stated that his Yaad Swag project has been discontinued.

“No Yaad Swag. The people say Street Vybz rum.”

Dancehall Icon Ninja Man Defends Stacious

Dancehall icon Ninja Man has come out in defense of female artiste Stacious after she was lyrically attacked by dancehall artistes Twin of Twins in a recent recording.

The female deejay was strongly chastised by the twins after she had previously made comments in her single Talk that Tony Matterhorn defeated them at Sting 2011 and they blamed it on liquor.

According to Ninja Man, Twin of Twins should direct their energy towards defending their honour at this year’s staging of Sting instead of picking on females.

“Dem fi guh look war wid man and stop pick pon female artiste. Tony Matterhorn is a selector and him kill dem suh dem fi guh kill him back and get back dem career and stop fight woman. If dem nuh have nothing betta fi duh dem can guh clash wid some comedian then,” Ninja Man said.

The veteran deejay said that females are marginalised in the dancehall and should get more support from the males instead of being targeted negatively.

“We need more strong women in the dancehall and wi nuh waah nuh more man a try push dem over. Mi defend woman at all levels. Me same one did defend Spice when dem did box har. If yu diss Spice mi a guh defend it, if yu diss D’Angel mi a guh defend it, suh when di woman dem a try mek something positive with dem life and dem career, don’t belittle them,” Ninja Man said.

The artiste also said he himself would not challenge Twins of Twins in a lyrical battle as they are not on his level.

“If dem flip up mi just send Predator or General Trees guh deal wid dem mek dem know sey fi be careful and leave the woman dem alone. Mi nuh clash wid likkle deejay,” he said.

Ninja Man also issued a warning for self-proclaimed King of the dancehall, Beenie Man.

“Beenie Man need fi give a world-wide apology to Shabba Ranks else him haffi guh deal wid mi. Mi a guh tek the crown offa him head and give it back to King Yellow Man and tek back the Doctor from him and give it back to Early B. Yellow Man is the king of dancehall, none of the accolades wey Beenie Man have di people dem neva give it to him,” Ninja Man said.

In response to the Twins verbal assault in their song, Stacious said their negative response was unexpected. According to the female deejay, they heard the song in its early stages and said it was good.
“I didn’t expect that the Twins would find it insulting because they heard the song at a stage show and they said it was bad, so hearing their response and the degrading way in which it was done was very strange,” she said.

Following the Twins’ song, Stacious has also recorded a song unleashing her own form of assault back at them. The song has an introduction that features Ninja Man.

“Ninja is an icon and war and clash is his thing. He is the best at that. I called him and told him about the situation. when he heard the song, he went straight to the booth and spoke his mind in one track,” she said.

The STAR was unsuccessful in getting a comment from Twin of Twins despite several attempts.

Stacious has also recently recorded new singles such as Ecstasy and Wine Up Mi Body. While the Twins released a new single called Lie Song.

Former Gaza Member Lisa Hyper Wants To Clash Gaza Slim, Spice & Tifa

Lisa Hyper says that she is ready to clash Tifa, Spice and Gaza Slim in FOUR THE HARD WAY clash at Sting 2012 over Jamworld in Portmore.

“Sting Jamworld mi waan kill Spice, Tifa and Slim onetime, fi kill mi no haffi go a gym cause mi unkind,” she blasted out via bb a few minutes ago.

Rio Brazil way behind for Olympics 2016

BRAZIL is already losing the race to live up to London’s Olympics, exclusive Sun pictures reveal.

With less than four years to go until the Games move to Rio in 2016, not a brick has been laid at venues
The tatty old racing track on the left is supposed to host 20 events — but it remains a grassy, overgrown wreck amid a wrangle over the EVICTIONS of 4,000 people living nearby.

Work on another venue at the site of an old army training ground has stalled after the discovery of live LANDMINES.

And developers and officials fear DEADLINES for completing work are getting so tight they face running out of time.

Now Rio must act like the wiggling, shimmying girls at its Carnival — and get moving.
Brazil’s president Dilma Rousseff has vowed the Games will be “even better” than London’s.

But IOC member Nawal El Moutawakel warned: “There is a large volume of works that need to be started now.”

The Nelson Piquet Racetrack in the Barra district is supposed to have an aquatics centre, velodrome and facilities for other events. But there is no sign of any — nor of the athletes’ village next door.
At Deodoro, 15 miles away, work on a park for events
such as shooting, kayaking and BMX has been stopped while the area is swept for military explosives.

By contrast in East London in 2008, foundations had been laid for the showpiece stadium plus other buildings in the complex.

More than 230 other projects including new expressways are planned in Rio but only 65 are anywhere near on target.Rio organising chief Leonardo Gryrner insisted the work would get done — though he admitted: “Time is an adversary. We’ll get a few cold sweats.”

Lutan Fyah Targeted By Scammers

Reggae singer Lutan Fyah says that he has been scammed by someone who was pretending to be him and defrauding producers from all over the world.

According to the reggae singer, he employed someone to control his Facebook and Twitter accounts, but now believes he may be one of the persons that carried out the illegal activities.
"Him a use my page and talk to them as if a me dem a talk to. Mi go pon tour a Sweden, Finland, Africa, Argentina, Germany, Florida, New York, Poland and California and each time I visit the countries, a different producer has been contacting me saying that I took their money for songs," Lutan Fyah told THE STAR.

The artiste believes that his name was being used to scam people for sometime now.
"Everywhere I go in the world, people a link me for dem money, and I don't have any idea what they are talking about. Right now I have a lot of Whatsapp messages and emails from producers saying I should refund their money," an angry Lutan Fyah said.

Because of this, Lutan Fyah says he has had to shut down his Facebook and Twitter pages.
bun dem out
"Is a group of them of about five or six that are going around and targeting artistes ... Bun we a bun dem out," he said.
The singer, despite his loss, however, says that he has not yet made a report to the police concerning the matter.

In the meantime, persons interested in booking Lutan Fyah should contact his booking agent, Chris 'Icey Jace' Campbell, at 396-7965.

Lutan Fyah is slated to perform at four concerts in California later this month.
'
Is a group of them of about five or six that are going around and targeting artistes ... Bun we a bun dem out.'

"Beenie Man I Will Dun Yuh Career" Ninja Man

Ninjaman has threatened to clash Beenie Man onstage and to “hunt him anyweh him de” if Beenie Man does not apologise for making disparaging remarks about Shabba recently.

“Vybz Kartel send a warder fi come tell me say mi fi defend the ting because look wah Beenie Man ah try do to Shabba, then wah him woulda say bout him Kartel as a younger artiste. Beenie Man need fi come to mi show on August 17th, and apologise, or as soon as the show done, any stage show him de pon, mi ah walk out pon him and dun him career,” Ninjaman told

"Usain Bolt can’t pole vault, he can’t throw anything" Bruce Jenner

Olympian Bruce Jenner has some words for Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, a six-time gold medalist sprinter between the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics.

Bolt recently updated his Twitter bio to read “the greatest athlete of all time.” He has since changed it to, “The most naturally gifted athlete the world has ever seen.” Jenner, who won gold in the decathlon at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, says that the “greatest of all time” title is not necessarily the case.

“He’s the best sprinter,” Jenner tells Media. But adds, “He can’t pole vault, he can’t throw anything … that’s an athlete.” And Jenner makes it clear that decathletes are the “most athletic” and that Bolt “would be terrible” at the decathlon.

The decathlon is made up of 10 different track and field events — 100m sprint, long jump, shot put, high jump, 400m sprint, 110m hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin and a 1500m run. The gold and silver medals at the 2012 London Games went to U.S. athletes Ashton Eaton and Trey Hardee, who ran their 100m sprints in 10.35 and 10.42, respectively. Those times would not have gotten them out of the preliminaries of the 100m event at the games this year, but they still aren’t bad.

SMH I Start to pity these American Athletes...

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[PHOTO]Lauryn Hill Faces 3 years behind bars

Lauryn Hill faces three years behind bars after admitting she failed to file tax returns between 2005 and 2007, during which time she earned $1.8 million, and her mugshot was released today.
The solemn 37-year-old is seen in the picture wearing the same white blouse she donned on June 29 after pleading guilty to the three-count misdemeanor filed in U.S. District Court in Newark, New Jersey.

The eight-time Grammy-winner, currently free on a $150,000 unsecured bond, is scheduled to be sentenced on November 27.

And as there is nothing more certain than death and taxrs, her attorney Nathan Hochman said Hill planned to pay back the $818,000 from 2005,$222,000 fro, 2006 and $761,000 from 2007.

The troubled singer-rapper, who first gained fame and millions of dollars as the lead singer of The Fugees, also faces $75,000 in fines.

In a lengthy post on her Tumblr page earlier in June she responded to the charges, claiming she wanted to leave mainstream society in protest against its 'climate of hostility, false entitlement, manipulation, racial prejudice, sexism and ageism.'
Lauryn said: 'My intention has always been to get this situation rectified. When I was working consistently without being affected by the interferences mentioned above, I filed and paid my taxes
'This only stopped when it was necessary to withdraw from society, in order to guarantee the safety and well-being of myself and my family.'
It's ironic that Hill cites the safety and well-being of her family as a reason she failed to pay up as little Zion, 15, Selah, 13, Joshua, 10, John, 9, Sarah, 4, and one-year-old Micah will surely suffer if their mother toils in jail.

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Usain Bolt Claims He's Lost All Respect For Carl Lewis

Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt says he had lost all respect for Carl Lewis after the former American athlete was quoted as saying Jamaica's doping controls were not as strong as other countries.

Lewis, a former 100 and 200 Olympic champion, has repeatedly stated that Jamaica’s drug testing procedures might need to be tightened.

Bolt made the comments at a press conference after he roared to an unprecedented second 200-metre title yesterday at the London 2012 Olympics.

No other athlete has won the 200-metre dash twice at the Olympics.

Lewis won the event in 1984 and finished second in the 1988 Games.

Bolt was asked if he would like to be compared with Lewis or the late sprinting great Jesse Owens.

Bolt says he has no respect for Lewis because of the "degrading" remarks he made about athletes.

"I think Carl Lewis is just looking for attention, really, because nobody really talks much about him," Bolt said.

Bolt was also asked if he could guarantee that Jamaican sprinters - who swept the top three spots in the 200 metres - were clean, and he said he had no doubt.

"Without a doubt, we train really hard," said the double Olympic repeat champion

Asafa Powell hits back at critics following Olympic performance

Despite the unprecedented success of our growing sprint legends during these Olympic games in London, it appears that the failure of another Jamaican athlete has somewhat overshadowed the achievements accomplished by the island’s track stars in recent days.

Former world-record holding sprinter, Asafa Powell has taken loads of criticism from fans after pulling up during the highly anticipated 100m final on Sunday. Despite the fact that fellow sprint superstars, Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake won gold and silver in the event respectively, giving Jamaica 1-2 in an Olympic 100m final for the second straight summer games, most of the talk surrounded Powell and his unfortunate set of circumstances during the final, when he injured his groin and finished last in the event.

Since Sunday’s race, much ire has been directed towards Powell, with many fans expressing their frustration on social media; pointing to his past shortcomings in major events as they lashed out against the man who was once branded ‘Afasa.’ Some fans later speculated that Powell faked the injury while others insisted that he’s chock full of excuses.

Once comment read, "Nothing is wrong with people being themselves but to create constant excuses is not a good thing for anyone. I think in Jamaica we have something called the Asafa syndrome, this is when someone gives a lot of excuses for failing instead of just accepting that you have failed."
However, Powell shot back at his critics on Monday night, intimating that he cannot control fate while advising detractors not to attack his loyal fans.

Powell commented on his official Facebook page, “I ask one thing of all the persons who are making negative remarks about me. I can understand that and appreciate the fact that you expected me to medal, however I have zero control over destiny. I do ask one thing though please do not come on my page and disrespect my loyal and genuine fans who support my cause and justify my existence. Enjoy the rest of the day. One Love 4Life!”

Several teammates have offered words of encouragement Powell following his injury, with Usain Bolt tweeting, “Hope u get well soon. You started this Jamaican take over.”
Asafa Powell will not be able to participate in the 4 by 100m relays for Jamaica this weekend and has undergone an MRI which revealed new damage to his adductor muscles as well as scar tissue from an old injury.

Bruce Golding says Dudus betrayed him

FORMER PRIME Minister Bruce Golding said he felt betrayed by Tivoli Gardens gangster Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.

 Golding, in an interview published in American newspaper, The New Yorker, said that as the member of parliament for West Kingston, it was difficult to manage the relationship with Coke.

"In December of 2007, I received information that there were persons the police were seeking ... who were hiding in West Kingston ... . Now, Coke had sufficient influence that these persons were not likely to be in Tivoli Gardens without his knowledge.

"And, I sent an emissary to him with very clear words that if these persons are being harboured in the community, it would put the entire community at risk, because, if the security forces were to enter the community in search of these persons, there is the possibility of confrontation and there is the possibility of innocent people being killed.

"The message I got back from him was, 'No, there is no such person being harboured in West Kingston.' The police conducted an operation sometime afterward, and in that operation, I think, some of the persons were found, some of the persons were seen, some of them escaped.

"I felt betrayed, because I was seeking to protect the residents, and it seemed to me that he was seeking to protect these criminals who came from outside. And because of that ... I basically cut him off, I basically said, 'I will have nothing to do with him and his operation, because, if I cannot secure compliance on a simple matter that is intended to protect the citizens of the community, then I would have nothing to do with him.'

Blake confident of Olympic glory

World 100m champion Yohan Blake says he is confident of his chances to win both the 100m and 200m here at the Olympic Games in London.
Blake, while speaking at a press conference hosted by his shoe sponsor Adidas, inside the Westfield Mall in London a short while ago, also underlined that his focus is not centred on beating his Racers Track Club training partner and defending champion Usain Bolt, but to execute his own race once at the line and bring home the gold at his first Olympic Games.

"The focus is never to beat Usain Bolt, it's all about going to the line and executing the race, doing all that you have learned in training,” said Blake.

"Usain and I remain very good friends but when we get on the track it's all about business.”

Blake, who was handed a pair of ‘The Beast’ branded adiZero Prime SP spikes – the lightest spike on the market, also said that he does not expect that being the youngest and most inexperienced sprinter among the favourites will have any impact on the end result.

“Inexperience, a lot of people talk about that but it does not matter to me,” Blake said.

“I have worked hard all year and it will cone down to who execute the better race on the day.”

"I feel like I've always been Rastafarian" Snoop Dogg

Snoop Dogg wants you to know that he's tired of hip-hop, is Bob Marley reincarnated and is embracing reggae instead of the culture of guns he once rapped about. Also, he's got a new name: Snoop Lion.

The artist said at a news conference Monday in New York that he was "born again" during a visit to Jamaica in February and is ready to make music that his "kids and grandparents can listen to."

The former gangster rapper is releasing a reggae album called Reincarnated in the autumn. He said that in Jamaica, he connected with Bob Marley's spirit and is now "Bob Marley reincarnated."

Bob Marley's son Rohan attended the conference and gave Snoop his blessing.

"I feel like I've always been Rastafarian," Snoop said of the spiritual Jamaican movement. While there, he said, he visited a temple, was renamed Snoop Lion and was also given the Ethiopian name Berhane, meaning "light of the world."

Snoop didn't explain why he was switching from "Dogg" to "Lion," but it's likely a reference to the Lion of Judah, a religious symbol popular in Rastafarian and Ethiopian culture.

Later, he played five songs for a small crowd, including one called "No Guns Allowed." It features his daughter and includes the lyrics, "No guns allowed in here tonight, we're going to have a free for all, no fights."

"It's so tragic that people are doing stupid things with guns," he said.

Snoop, best known for hits like "Gin and Juice" and "Drop It Like It's Hot," is an avid supporter of marijuana rights and has been banned from entering Norway for two years after trying to enter the country with a small amount last month.

He said that in Jamaica, where he stayed for 35 days, he grew closer to his wife, who saw his transition. He added that he's excited to perform music that his family 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."

Snoop Dogg said he's not completely retiring from hip-hop but is "tired" of the genre because it is no longer challenging.

"Reggae was calling ... it's a breath of fresh air," he said. "Rap isn't challenging; it's not appealing."

The album was produced by Diplo and will feature Snoop singing. It will be released on Vice Records.

The album will be followed with a documentary of the same name, also produced by Vice. It features Snoop making music and will include some personal elements of his life, a producer of the film said. It will debut at the Toronto International Film Festival in September.

A coffee table book about Snoop's rebirth is also in the works.

"It feels like I'm 19 or 20 years old again," he said.