Snoop Lion 'Reincarnated': Retires 'Doggystyle' Rap for Reggae in New Album

Former rapper Snoop Dogg, who now goes by Snoop Lion, has announced that he will star in a new video game entitled "Way of the Dogg."

According to Digital Spy, Snoop said: "Everyone knows that Snoop is down with the biggest and best video games whether it's droppin' my hits on the soundtrack or showing the world I can go toe- to-toe with the best fighters on the street but Way of the Dogg is the first true gamification of my music."

Rolling Stone reports that "Way of the Dogg" will be a combination of musical rhythm and fighting games, described as a "rhythm-action, beat-matching combat experience." Snoop looked to kung-fu and blaxploitation films for inspiration, as well as his own personal journey through life.

"It's the way you live, it's the way you do what you do and captures the beat, the rhythm and the spirit of my music. It's not just about who you are or where you've been but where you are headed to," Snoop explained.

Stone states that U.K. game studios Echo Peak and 505 Games are leading the project, and are targeting an April 23rd release on Xbox Live Arcade, Playstation Network, iOS and Android.

"The idea of creating an original game concept around [Snoop's] music and love of Seventies kung-fu and blaxploitation movies was a mouthwatering prospect," said Echo Peak's Ciaran Walsh.

The rapper-turned-reggae-star also said "This game shows how we evolve as individuals and they've incorporated the journey of my own personal reincarnation as Snoop Lion into my character, the environments and the path that players have to follow."

Doggy Dogg has evolved into the Lion as he retires from rap and takes on a new persona as a raggae singer in his new album "Reincarnated," which will be released in April of this year. Stone states it will feature artists like Drake, Chris Brown and Rita Ora along with contributions from TI, Busta Rhymes, Akon, and dancehall artists Popcaan and Mavado.

For those still unsure about how/why Snoop Dogg changed his name to Snoop Lion, the album will also be accompanied by a feature-length documentary, according to NME, which will arrive in UK cinemas on March 22, after premiering at SXSW in Austin, Texas. It follows the Dogg's transformation into reggae singer Snoop Lion. Also titled Reincarnated, it promises "unpredecented access" to Snoop as he visits Trench Town, the Jamaican ghetto recognized as the birthplace of reggae music, and records his new album.

"I started to hear myself say the same things. I've always been one to stay creative and come up with something new, different, original, and authentic. I got to the point where it wasn't that I couldn't, but it just wasn't relevant. I wasn't that guy anymore to be rapping about standing on the corner selling drugs, having a gun in my pocket, getting into gang activities," he told Blouin Artinfo.

"The Dogg has had its run for 20 years. I had my world for a long time with the Dogg, and the Lion is definitely necessary," he said. "I feel like we're living in a jungle now, and the only way to deal with the jungle is to bring out the king of the jungle, which is the lion who is willing to address every situation, but still keep the party flowing baby," he added.

Snoop will be performing at Ultra Music Festival in Miami this March for those who want to hear the Dogg rap one more time before the Lion pounces in April.