The musical hotbed of Atlanta is once again introducing another one of its own to the industry, as R&B singer/songwriter Myko (pronounced Mee-ko) has secured a deal with SRC/Universal Records through New York Jets running back Thomas Jones’ imprint label, Outta Pocket Entertainment.

SRC founder Steve Rifkind signed the newcomer on the strength of his two singles “Late Nite Creep” (produced by the late Static Major) and “Spend Dis Bread” (featuring Rick Ross). “Give It 2 U” is the lead single from Myko’s forthcoming SRC/Universal debut album, and is currently impacting major radio stations.

As the flagship artist on Outta Pocket Entertainment, Myko is benefiting from his relationship with the football star, garnering numerous opportunities for promotion. Most recently, Myko performed at Jones’ Pro Bowl party in Hawaii, and is slated to perform at the Sony Ericsson Open tennis tournament in Miami on Sunday, March 29.

In addition to his upcoming album with SRC/Universal, Myko is also working on an independent project titled Options.

Billboard Magazine is reporting that 21 year-old Morrisville, PA, rapper Asher Roth, is close to completing his debut album, tentatively titled “Asleep in the Bread Aisle” on SRC/Universal Records. 

Industry veteran Don Cannon contributes to the production on “Asleep in the Bread Aisle,” although newcomer Oren Yoel crafted the bulk of the album’s beats.

“Asleep in the Bread Aisle” is scheduled for a April 21st release date.

Below is a tentative track listing for “Asleep In The Bread Aisle”:

“Lark On My Go-Cart”

“Blunt Cruisin’”

“I Love College”

“Bad Day” ft. Jazze Pha

“Be By Myself” ft. Cee-Lo

“Sour Patch Kids”

“She Don’t Want A Man”

“As I Em” ft. Chester French

“His Dream” ft. Miguel

“Ladida”

“Leo The Lion”

“Fallin”

“Nothing You Can’t Do”

The legendary Motown Records and Universal Music Enterprises are celebrating the famed label’s 50th anniversary with year-long promotions and releases, including a series of online podcasts featuring rare and intimate conversations by many of label’s acclaimed singers, producers, and songwriters.

The first podcast episode featuring Smokey Robinson aired January, 12 2009. New episodes will debut bi-weekly, with segments including: label founder Berry Gordy; Nick Cannon; the late Levi Stubbs of the Four Tops; The New York Times columnist Frank Rich; the Temptations’ Otis Williams and the late Melvin Franklin; Stevie Wonder; Levi Stubbs and Lamont Dozier (of H-D-H fame); KCRW’s Garth Trinidad; Diana Ross; songwriters Pam Sawyer and Marilyn McLeod; hip-hop pioneer and Universal Motown artist Q-Tip; and songwriter/producer Dozier.

Other upcoming segments will include Marvin Gaye, the Jackson 5, the Commodores, film director Lawrence Kasdan (The Big Chill), and songwriter Diane Warren.

As part of the year-long celebration, Motown released a 10-CD box set, “Motown: The Complete No. 1’s,” this past December, which included more than 200 classic songs from 50 Motown artists, plus a 100-page photo booklet with rare images and an introduction by Smokey Robinson. 

In addition, the label just released “NOW That’s What I Call Motown!” (January 13, 2009), the latest compilation in the hugely successful “NOW That’s What I Call Music!” series.