before Snoop there were only d-list rappers signed to the label, IMO. i thought him signing w/that company was a step down for him coming off Death Row. to wit, NL had a distribution deal w/Priority (which i thought was an independent label) whereas DR had a deal w/Interscope (which was owned by or affiliated w/a major label - either Time-Warner Music or Universal-MCA, depending). to me that was a step down for Snoop. it was not a lateral move.