“My life is in stages, whether performing on them or going through them,” Snoop Dogg/Lion says at the beginning of “ Reincarnated,” the documentary that follows his excursion to Jamaica to learn about the Rastafarian culture and inspire his upcoming reggae album.

Snoop, 41, explains how his violent upbringing in California led to a life of guns and street crimes simply as a way to “stay in the mix.”

But after the death of his cousin Nate Dogg two years ago – he died from complications following a series of strokes – Snoop decided that he needed to explore a new path.

“What else could I do in the rap world?” he drawls out loud.

Before the plane touches down in Jamaica for his month-long visit, it’s apparent that, this being a Snoop Dogg project, there will be more smoke on screen than at a Big Green Egg convention.

But when you can see through the haze – surely an obstacle at times for director Andy Capper – you’ll find a sincere-seeming Snoop, a guy who has engaged in unsavory behavior, has morphed in recent years into a soccer dad and who, publicity opportunities aside, appears to genuinely want to understand the life and culture of those whose music he plans to emulate.

While Bunny Wailer, the 65-year-old former percussionist for The Wailers, has recently expressed skepticism of Snoop’s reasons for embracing the Rasta ideology and said Snoop “abused” the access given to him in Jamaica, the reggae elder statesman couldn’t be more gracious and welcoming of the rapper in the film, even accepting his gift of “California herbs.”

It is also Wailer who bestows Snoop with his new “Lion” moniker – which Wailer now wants him to drop.

Throughout the film, which often feels longer than its 100 minutes, we hear some of the new material Snoop is readying for the “Reincarnated” album, out April 23. No surprise that one song is called “Smoke Da Weed,” but it, and others such as “Lighters Up” – produced by Major Lazer – and “No Guns Allowed,” featuring Snoop’s daughter, Cori B, are a smooth blend of Snoop’s trademark languid delivery over bobbing grooves perfected by producer Diplo.

While there are moments in “Reincarnated” when Snoop breaks from his bliss to address the camera about the night Tupac Shakur died and how Master P kickstarted a new phase of his career, the movie is firmly planted in Jamaica.

He tours Trench Town with Damian Marley; heads to the Blue Mountain range (with the secret “herb field”); and visits a music class at the Alpha Boys School, the crowds growing larger as the movie progresses and residents realizing who is in town with a camera crew.

While it’s impossible to know Snoop’s true intentions with his project, he doesn’t appear to be a good enough actor to fake it for the level of commitment this musical detour requires.

His musing toward the end of the film is more likely the driving reason:

“We lose so many musicians. They don’t love them while they’re here,” Snoop says. “I want to be loved while I’m here.”

 “Reincarnated” is playing exclusively at Midtown Art Cinema. Click here for information and show times.