Snoop Lion

Reincarnated (RCA)

In 2008, Snoop Dogg’s Ego Trippin’ prompted questions of whether the G/hustla could still be considered a rapper. With April’s Reincarnated, we know for sure he’s not. The Doggfather’s 12th reincarnates the celebrated G-funk playboy into full reggae righteousness, pushing that “Rebel Way” with a fat Kingston blunt on his Rastafari mind. “Here Comes the King,” the man who wrote “Murder Was the Case” proclaims. He’s brought along quite the processional. Support for Reincarnated reads like a who’s who of music tabloid: Drake (“No Guns Allowed”), Akon, Major Lazer, Miley Cyrus (“Ashtrays and Heartbreaks”). It’s enough to make überproducer Ariel Rechtshaid (Usher, Vampire Weekend, Major Lazer) an afterthought. Same goes for Snoop. The onetime rapper’s new foray into Lionism deviates so far from the norm that its proprietor’s been edged out, melded into a nonconfrontational reggae singer whose drops can’t muster a single memorable moment. (Friday, 8:45pm, Orange stage)

*.5

This article appears in November 8 • 2013.

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

SUPPORT US