'Roots Man' - Snoop Lion for Ja garden project

BORN-again rapper Snoop Lion (or, if you still prefer, Snoop Dogg) and an American billionaire plan to launch a garden project in Trench Town, inspired by the artiste's embrace of Rastafari.

Dubbed 'Mind Garden', it is the brainchild of Snoop Lion and hair product magnate John Paul DeJoria.

DeJoria spoke about their plans on Thursday during an interview on CNN's Out Front show with Erin Burnett.

He said he and the 41-year-old Snoop met recently in Austin, Texas and discussed how they could expand on the rapper's newfound faith.

"We said, 'Let's go to Trench Town and help plant gardens so they can nourish their minds with the right vegetables and right thoughts," DeJoria told Burnett.

He said the programme has already started.

A mainstay of the gangsta rap genre that erupted in south Los Angeles during the 1990s, Snoop Doggy Dog (his initial moniker) was part of rapper/producer Dr Dre's camp which released big-selling albums like The Chronic and Murder Was the Case.

He has several brushes with the law, being arrested on weapons and marijuana charges. But recently, he announced he had a spiritual rebirth while visiting Jamaica and attending a Rastafarian session.

It inspired a change in name and lifestyle, he said. DeJoria insists the conversion is genuine.

"This is not BS, no record-selling deal. He wants to help people."

Snoop's latest album, the aptly titled Reincarnation, was released last month.

(from Jamaica Observer)