People had jokes when news broke that Snoop Dogg was making a gospel album, but the rap legend may have the last laugh.
Snoop’s album, Snoop Dogg Presents Bible of Love, was released last Friday, and his tracklist features several gospel legends. Marvin Sapp, Mary Mary, The Clark Sisters, Tye Tribbett and Fred Hammond are among the gospel stars on the project.
The 32-track album also features secular artists like Chance the Rapper (who declared himself a Christian rapper not so long ago), K-Ci, Charlie Wilson and Patti Labelle.
Snoop first announced the album in May 2017 during an interview with Beats 1 Radio.
Despite the Dogfather’s gangster rap background, he said a gospel album is something he’s always wanted to do.
“It's always been on my heart. I just never got around to it because I always be doing gangsta business and doing this and doing that. But I just feel like it's been on my heart too long," he said at the time.
"I'm working on a gospel album. I need to do it now."
Understandably, this album has subjected the rapper to criticism, but he doesn’t seem concerned with naysayers. He believes they are the ones that need to do some reflecting.
“For those who have something to say, their spirit ain’t right. If it was right, the first thing you’re going to do is welcome someone like me who has been where I have been and done what I have done,” Snoop told The Grio. “You’re gonna say, ‘Maybe he can reach people we can’t reach. Maybe he’s doing what God’s work is really supposed to be doing.’ The Bible says Jesus was in the streets mixing it up with the real. Everyone sitting in church like they’re perfect, knock it off.”
Check out one of the tracks, aptly titled “Come As You Are” below. It's a certified bop.