January 24, 2013 12:08

Bunny Wailer slams Snoop Lion for 'fraudulent' appropriation of Rastafari culture

Rastafari Millennium Council also criticise rapper's Snoop Lion persona

Photo: PA

Snoop Dogg has been accused by Bunny Wailer, former drummer for The Wailers, of faking his Snoop Lion persona to sell records.

Bunny Wailer claims that the forthcoming Snoop Lion album 'Reincarnated' and a documentary of the same name are "fraudulent" and is threatening legal action against the rapper. Wailer claims Snoop has engaged in "outright fraudulent use of Rastafari Community's personalities and symbolism" and that he has also failed to meet "contractual, moral and verbal commitments".

Additionally, the Ethio-Africa Diaspora Union Millennium Council (aka Rastafari Millennium Council) have sent a seven-page list of demands to Snoop. The document was obtained by TMZ and includes them telling the rapper that; "smoking weed and loving Bob Marley and reggae music is not what defines the Rastafari Indigenous Culture!"

The Rastafari Council are seeking fulfillment of the "financial and moral support" they claim Snoop committed to but as well as a public apology.

The rapper has previously said that he doesn't have to justify his change in direction as he has complete freedom in his creative direction. The Reincarnated documentary will explain his new direction. "If I just drop this music, it leaves room for questioning," he said. "You wouldn't understand the whole journey or the transformation. When I allow you to see the movie, to go on the journey with me, to see exactly why I'm the Lion."

Snoop Lion played his first live show in Toronto, Canada in 2012 which featured covers of Bob Marley's 'Could You Be Loved' and 'Iron Lion Zion'. He has subsequently released tracks including 'Lighters Up' and 'Here Comes The King'.

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