OMEN
10-05-2007, 09:12 PM
Los Angeles - A judge hearing a lawsuit brought by Snoop Dogg against his former record label said on Thursday she did not realise it involved the famous rapper.
That's because court papers refer to him by his real name, Calvin Broadus.
"Now I realise who we're talking about here," Superior Court Judge Helen I Bendix said on her first day hearing the case. "I didn't recognise the non-professional name, so to speak."
The judge recommended that Snoop Dogg and Priority Records put their contractual dispute before the court's case evaluation service. The service will give both sides a neutral idea of strengths and weaknesses of their case before it heads to trial, she said.
The rapper sued the company in November 2006, alleging it owes him two million dollars in fees under a 1998 recording agreement and did not consult with him before releasing his greatest hits CD.
He also claims breach of contract, contending the company did not pay him a $950 000 advance promised after he recorded Tha Last Meal.
Priority Records has maintained the lawsuit should be barred because the artist waited too long to file it.
Attorneys for both sides told Bendix they tried to reach a settlement, but mediation was unsuccessful.
The judge called the case "very interesting", and set another hearing for October 23.
News 24
That's because court papers refer to him by his real name, Calvin Broadus.
"Now I realise who we're talking about here," Superior Court Judge Helen I Bendix said on her first day hearing the case. "I didn't recognise the non-professional name, so to speak."
The judge recommended that Snoop Dogg and Priority Records put their contractual dispute before the court's case evaluation service. The service will give both sides a neutral idea of strengths and weaknesses of their case before it heads to trial, she said.
The rapper sued the company in November 2006, alleging it owes him two million dollars in fees under a 1998 recording agreement and did not consult with him before releasing his greatest hits CD.
He also claims breach of contract, contending the company did not pay him a $950 000 advance promised after he recorded Tha Last Meal.
Priority Records has maintained the lawsuit should be barred because the artist waited too long to file it.
Attorneys for both sides told Bendix they tried to reach a settlement, but mediation was unsuccessful.
The judge called the case "very interesting", and set another hearing for October 23.
News 24