Snoop Dogg, whose real name is Calvin Broadus Jr., caused quiet a stir in Hollywood after declaring himself to be a ššØš«š§-again Christian. He recently just released his first gospel album āBible of Love.ā
The album features a wide range of other gospel artists, including Fred Hammond, The Clark Sisters, Pastor John P. Kee and Marvin Sapp.
He first dropped the news of a gospel album during an interview with Beats 1 Radio, where he said āIām working on a gospel album. I need to do it now.ā
He added: āItās always been on my heart. I just never got around to it because I always be doing gangsta business and doing this and doing that. But I just feel like itās been on my heart too long.ā
Many have been incredibly critical of the religious switch and his decision to put out a gospel album. In 2009 he announced that he had joined the Nation of Islam, then in 2012 he became a Rastafarian. Now, he claims to be a ššØš«š§-again Christian.
However this isnāt the first time that Snoop has talked about Christianity. In 2016 he posted a video on his Instagram account that featured him singing along to the gospel song āIād Rather Have Jesus.ā
His fans were thrilled to see him profess his faith in God. āWith the platform you have, imagine how many people you will reach with the gospel message of Salvation! Come on now! Give our heavenly Father glory through your rap sšš¾ššs Snoop!ā a fan wrote.
Snoop Dogg responded to his critics and those who doubted his conversion at the 33rd Annual Stellar Awards held in Las Vegas. After he performed at the gospel music event, he said āThe devil is a liar. I thought the church was supposed to welcome sinners.ā
āIf the church was full of saints it wouldnāt be right. So, if you find someone trying to find their way back home, the natural thing to do is to be warm welcoming, open your arms and say āBrother, we accept you for who you are and what youāre going through. Come as you are. We know youāve been doing wrong and you want to get right and we want to help you get right.āā
āWeāre not gonnaā throw stones on you when youāre trying to get right and walking back into the church house. Thatās whatās running people out the church right now as we speak.ā
āThe only negativity I get is when a question is asked, But I have never been confronted with anybody in the gospel world,ā the rapper says.
At the end of the interview Snoop adds, āWhat about you? Have you checked your status? Are you going to heaven? Why are you judging me? How much have you done for the Lord?ā
When you take a deeper dive into the album, you can find an impressive amount of Christian theology in his lyrics that show is journey through the faith. From beginning to end the album is a beautiful testimony from Snoop encountering Godās love in his own life.
Relevant writer Mai Perkins took a deeper dive into his album and wrote: āHeās not selling prosperity Gospel. Heās not shaming people for where theyāve been, considering how far out there and out of control heās been. (And heās been OUT there!)ā¦Heās simply sharing his relatable experiences as a tremendously flawed character who happens to deeply love God. At the same time, heās providing an environment for others to feel comfortable enough to do the same.ā
Religion has changed Snoopās life completely, from his view on the gangster lifestyle to guns. Snoop even said that religion changed the way he thinks of women. Before, he would have no trouble disrespecting women in his songs.
āBecause I was making music for me, speaking from my perspective,ā he explained. āMy music represented that, until I got to the point where I wanted to show love and appreciation for the woman.ā
Snoop also made the song āNo Guns Allowedā which features his daughter Cori B.
āWe keep hearing about schools getting shot up, venues being shot up, public places being shot up, and we have to address that. Who better to do it than me because I come from the gangsta lifestyle, carrying a gun every day of the week lifestyle?ā he said.
I used to answer hate with hate. Like if you hate me, I hate you more. But now I answer hate with love,ā he told The Guardian.