Last week, we heard SNOOP DOGG was putting out a REGGAE album under the name SNOOP LION . . . and now, it sounds like it isn't just a brief phase.  He sounds serious about buying into this, all the way...

-According to Snoop, he experienced a spiritual and artistic rebirth while spending time in Jamaica recently.  He says, quote, "I have always said I was Bob Marley reincarnated.  I have always been a Rastafari."

-He goes on, quote, "It's not that I want to become Snoop Dogg on a reggae track.  I want to bury Snoop Dogg, and become Snoop Lion...

-"I didn't know that until I went to the temple, where 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.'

 -He adds, quote, "There comes a point where you say I done it all, or there isn't much more to do.  This was like a rebirth for me.  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.

He then shares even more wisdom on his new name change...

 -"I'm 'Uncle Snoop' in rap.  When you get to be an uncle, you need to find a new profession so you can start over and be fresh again.  I want to be a kid again."  (--Oh, so he's THAT kind of uncle.  Great.)

 Snoop's final say in the matter...

-"When it comes to reggae music, I engulf the whole spirit of it all . . . the stage that I'm at with it right now, it's just like, the Lion overrules.  So it's not like you won't hear me being Snoop Dogg, but this is where I'm at."

***Please Note: Snoop insists he was NOT high when he decided to go into Snoop Lion mode.