Reggae star threatens to sue rapper for exploiting Rastafarian culture.
Snoop Lion (the artist better known round here as Snoop Dogg) is sending off some real bad Rastaman vibrations. The hip hop star’s peculiar turn as a reincarnated reggae star has raised the ire of some in the Rastafarian culture for its lack of authenticity.
Bunny Wailer — an original member of Bob Marley and the Wailers — is at the forefront of a movement to get Snoop to come clean about his recent infatuation with the Rasta culture. Bunny and members of the Ethio-Africa Diaspora Union Millennium Council believe that the "Gin and Juice" rapper was exploiting the marijuana loving culture to help sell his docu-movie, Reincarnated, and the accompanying reggae-influenced album.
The group, which also refers to themselves as the Rastafari Millennium Council, issued a 7-page demand letter to the multi-platinum hip hop superstar. They believe that Snoop "abused" the access they granted him throughout his time in Jamaica. Therefore he is now "forbidden from portraying, representing, endorsing or associating" himself with the Rastafarian community, culture, history or religion.
Along with dropping the "Lion" from his name, they also want him to make financial restoration for his "fraudulent behavior."
If Snoop Dogg does not meet the many demands, one of which is a public apology, they are threatening further legal action.
TMZ.com reached out to Snoop’s camp for comment, but have not received a response yet.
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(Photos from left: David Corio/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images, Landov)
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