Hit or Miss – No Guns Allowed
There have been ups and downs since Snoop Dogg’s evolution into Snoop Lion. The rapper has adopted the Rastafari faith, a moniker change more in line with Afro-centrism, and has brought international attention to the Reggae music genre.
On the flipside however, accusations of religious exploitation leveled against him by the legendary Bunny Wailer has definitely soiled Snoop Lion’s entry into the Jamaican music marketplace.
No Guns Allowed is the latest single off Snoop Lion’s upcoming album Reincarnated, and features Drake and his daughter Cori B. The song is a campaign for peace globally, a sharp turn for the man that wrote the violent Deep Cover and Vato to name a few.
No Guns Allowed doesn’t feature a traditional reggae backdrop, as the Diplo produced single heavily samples the mid-tempo electro-pop favourite Nantes by Beirut. The song’s slower tempo is perfect for Snoop Lion’s Jamaican accented thin vocals, which could have easily got lost in a song with a heavier instrumentation.
Drake provided a verse relevant to the song’s theme of peace, which is a rarity for the rapper-singer that usually tackles personal issues. Cori B’s background vocals must be commended, as she brought melodiousness to the song’s chorus.
No Guns Allowed is a good single for Snoop Lion, but unfortunately will not garner the traction it deserves due to the inability of most to accept the rapper performing Reggae music.