Snoop Dogg says “salaam alaykum” to Nation of Islam

Snoop Dogg appears at Nation of Islam convention

By SOPHIA TAREEN –
ROSEMONT, Ill. (AP) —

Rapper Snoop Dogg made an appearance Sunday at the Nation of Islam's annual Saviours Day convention, praising Minister Louis Farrakhan and suggesting that he is a member of the movement.

Snoop, whose real name is Calvin Broadus, gave a $1,000 donation to the Nation and said he will always seek the minister out.
The rapper called himself the "leader of the hip-hop

community" and said it was his first Saviours Day event. He told followers that he would share the information he gathered with other musicians.

"When you get a speech from Minister Farrakhan it's about a mirror, it's about looking at yourself," the rapper later told The Associated Press. "It's about seeing yourself and what you can do to better the situation ... We're doing a lot of wrongs among ourselves that need correcting."

When asked by the AP if he planned to convert and become a member of the Chicago-based Nation of Islam, Snoop said he has already joined in the movement.

"I'm already in the Nation, that's why I'm here," he said. "I'm an advocate for peace. I've been in the peace movement ever since I've been making music. My whole thing is not about really trying to push my thing on you. It's just about the way I live, and I live how I'm supposed to live as far as doing what's right and representing what's right. That's why I was here today."
The rapper did not elaborate on when he'd joined the Nation. Messages left for Nation of Islam officials were not immediately returned Sunday. Attempts to reach the rapper's publicist were unsuccessful.

During the speech Sunday, Snoop sat on stage behind Farrakhan clapping and nodding.
Snoop declined to say how long he would be in the Chicago area or whether he was working on any projects. His last album, "Ego Trippin,'" was released in March 2008.

Farrakhan has long held relationships with famous rappers and hip-hop artists. He has hosted and spoken at hip-hop conventions, encouraging peace between rappers.

Rapper Doug E. Fresh also attended the convention but didn't speak publicly. Rapper T.I., whose real name is Clifford Harris, appeared via recorded video. He told followers that education is the key to success.

Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.