A Snoop Dogg By Any Other Name?

Calvin who?

A judge hearing a lawsuit brought by Snoop Dogg against his former record label said Thursday she didn't realize it involved the famous rapper because court papers refer to him by his real name, Calvin Broadus.

"Now I realize who we're talking about here," Superior Court Judge Helen I. Bendix said on her first day hearing the case. "I didn't recognize the nonprofessional name, so to speak."

The judge recommended that the 35-year-old rapper 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.

Snoop sued the company in November 2006, alleging it owes him $2 million 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 Oct. 23.