Rapper Snoop Dogg is celebrating his latest success this week after his new album "Bible of Love" debuted in the number one spot on the Billboard's gospel album chart this week. The release is also the music artist's 25th Billboard entry in his decades-long career.
"Bible of Love" includes 32 tracks featuring gospel singers like Charlie Wilson, Erica Campbell, Tye Tribbet and Marvin Sapp. The faith-based track also landed at 148 in the Billboard 200 chart.
Snoop Dogg told Essence he decided to release a gospel album because of difficult events around the world. He reveals he wanted to bring light amid the negativity.
"I figured it was time to do something positive to bring people together," the rapper said. "I did my share of bringing dark moments. Now it's time to bring the light."
Snoop Dogg, who converted to Rastafarianism in 2012, dedicated "Bible of Love" to his departed grandmother who did not approve of his secular lifestyle, Essence reports.
The Grammy-winning artist has long had a reputation in as a "gangsta" but says that releasing a faith-based album was always a part of his plan. "I just felt like it's been on my heart too long. I need to do it now," he told the press.
Reviews of the album have been mostly favorable and the amount work put into it was evident. For an artist who wrote songs about drugs, sex and pimps, The New Yorker credited "Bible of Love" with showing his vulnerability, decency and realness.
The rapper, however, is featured mostly in the background in the majority of the songs as the gospel singers take the center stage. According to The Root, this is could be a smart move for the rapper to appease listeners who might have issues with him taking the high road in his latest project.
