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Seventies superstar Cat Stevens changed his name to Yusuf Islam in 1977 and retired from the music industry, but began playing again in the 1990s. TIME takes a look at other celebs who have made unusual name changes. The rapper Snoop Doog (born Calvin Broadus) has changed his name again to Snoop Lion after a spiritual and artistic transformation. A bit like Puff Daddy, who became Puffy, then P.Diddy and then Diddy.Ĭhanging names mid-career has often happened for ideological reasons: Prince famously changed his name to "Love symbol" in 1993 after a dispute with his record company, Warner Brothers. Top 10 Most Ridiculous Celebrity Name Changes.
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Arguably it's worked because he's changed so many times it's become a running joke and is now almost expected. Yet Snoop has chopped and changed his brand and managed to thrive. But the Gaines moniker disappeared within two years as it confused his huge fan base.Īcclaimed rapper Mos Def (real name Dante Terrell Smith) insisted he was going to change his name to Yasiin Bey in 2012 although sensibly he is still known by both names. US country superstar Garth Brooks toyed with another identity in 1999, rock singer Chris Gaines, and even released an album.
#SNOOP LION NAME CHANGE SERIES#
He changed his name to Sananda Maitreya in 1995 after a series of dreams – and hasn't had an album or single in the charts since. Terence Trent D'Arby was a budding superstar in the late 1980s.
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Success allowed him to return to his family name in 1991.īut changing one's recording name mid-career is rare and usually risky. John Mellencamp was convinced to perform as Johnny Cougar because his surname sounded too German and might be a turn-off to audiences. Usually it's a good idea too, what's better: Reggie Dwight or Elton John? David Jones or David Bowie? Stefani Germanotta or Lady Gaga? Few people remember Lizzy Grant but most have heard of Lana Del Rey. Alter egos are common in hip hop: the late Wu Tang Clang founder Ol' Dirty Bastard (Russell Tyrone Jones) was also known as O.D.B., Ason Unique, Osirus, The Specialist, Dirt McGirt, Big Baby Jesus and most bizarrely Ol' Dirty Chinese Restaurant.īands change names at the start of their careers more often than they change guitars: the Beach Boys were once the Pendletones the Beatles were the Quarrymen U2 started out as the Hype and Coldplay began as Pectoralz.ĭitto solo artists, who often adopt a stage name in an effort to appeal to the public.