‘Dogg and Lion happily co-exist’

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Snoop Dogg, the international rapper who likes to be called “Lion”, talks about his musical journey, experimenting with the big screen and his love for India and Bollywood.

How was the experience working in Scary Movie 5?
It was an amazing experience. I have a cameo in the movie where I play myself. I am very excited about the release of this movie.

The metamorphosis into Snoop Lion seems pretty radical. What brought about the change?
I wanted to make songs about the life I’m living now as a father and as a 41-year-old man, as opposed to always talking about my childhood and my upbringing. I don’t think it could have worked through rap because of my branding. I branded Snoop Dogg to be what he is, and it’s too late to change the brand.

What is that brand?
Gangsta. West coast, from the hood. Speaking for the lost generation — the “gangstas”, the drug dealers. And I did it 21 years straight, faithfully, till I couldn’t do it any more for the simple reason that it would be dishonest to.
Finally I’m able to say I’m comfortable with doing what I do. But I make no bones about the fact that Lion is just an extension of the Dogg brand. The two will happily coexist.

What would you comment on your recent visit to India?
India is beautiful! It is everything I expected it to be. The scenery and people are beautiful here.

After Singh Is King, would you like to do more Bollywood projects?
I love Bollywood. I would most definitely want to do something again. I had fun with Akshay Kumar in Singh Is King, and I am looking forward to doing it again. Also, I am looking forward to meeting many producers here.