Upon hearing the name “Snoop Lion,” I was immediately skeptical. We have all heard of Snoop D-O-double G, the pimp/gangsta rapper/infamous ganja-smoker and advocate. I have always been a fan of Snoop Dogg, so it was difficult enough getting used to his “transformation” to Snoop Lion. However, I put all that aside and gave his new “reggae” album, “Reincarnated,” a try.

“Reggae” is in quotes because the album, released on April 23, can barely be considered reggae – let alone music. The formerly respectable rapper has managed to become one of those mainstream artists who are convinced they’re making musical magic when really, they desperately need to stop.

The first song on the album, “Rebel Way,” starts with a little monologue by Snoop Lion himself.

“There’s so much death, there’s so much mayhem and there’s so much misunderstanding in music. We losin’ so many great musicians, and we don’t love ‘em while they’re here. And I want to be loved while I’m here. And the only way to get love is to give love,” he says.

I think Snoop is the one doing the misunderstanding – of his place in the music industry. The album is full of songs that all have a pretty basic reggae beat accompanied by Snoop Lion’s singing voice, which I still can’t get used to after listening to the entire album… twice.

And there’s no question that Snoop Lion’s singing is what kills the album’s vibe. It would actually be pretty decent if he didn’t try to sound like reggae music is his forte. Fourteen of the 16 songs on “Reincarnated” feature at least one other artist, including Drake, Snoop’s 13-year-old daughter Cori B., Akon, Miley Cyrus, Busta Rhymes, and Chris Brown.

However, I did somehow manage to find two songs that I didn’t hate and that weren’t painful to get through. Number eight, “Smoke the Weed,” features reggae artist Collie Buddz and starts off with the mantra, “Smoke the weed, every day/Don’t smoke the seeds, no way.” I am a really big Collie Buddz fan though, so that may be why I enjoyed this one.

And the last song on the album, “Harder Times,” actually sounds like reggae music, with the help of a lesser-known reggae artist, Jah Dan Blakkamoore.

It’s safe to say that “Reincarnated” is anything but Snoop’s best. Let’s all cross our fingers that he lets go of his newfound alter-ego and goes back to sippin’ that gin and juice.