Vladimir Hropov and Andrew Kolochinsky might be familiar names under their “Randomajestiq” music project, with releases out on Subsource (De:Bug netaudio of the month) and Kikapu. The two artists describe themselves as two scientists hidding from civilization and exploring it from the underground perspective. On Autoplate they start our focus on the east-europe musicscene which will last for a couple of releases, and bring a 12 song ep which thematically deals with the exploration of Area 51. They express themselves with different flavours of either gentle flowing soundscapes, warm expanding space pads and harsh metallic beats. Although the album is produced completly digital, the sounds sound analogue to me in the majority, and therefore with classic reminisces to mid 90s electronica. Songs like “Nsomnia” or “Nikkl” dig deeply into emotional electronics while tracks like “R-Type” or “Green Fireball” have a more industrial approach.

http://www.thinnerism.com/apl/practical.php?release=apl011

Chart-topping rapper 50 CENT has set up his own record label.

The star, whose debut LP ‘Get Rich Or Die Tryin'’ has stormed the US chart this year, has teamed up with Interscope to form G-Unit Records - and he hopes to use the label to release his near-legendary mix tapes.

He said: “I put out two mixtapes since ‘Get Rich…’ came out, and I’m not going to stop. That’s the largest form of promotion. I can put out some of the new artists that are signed to my label.”

50 Cent insists he isn’t worried about the extra work running a label takes. He admitted: “I’ve never had a job before in my life, but I’m a lab rat. I stay in the studio."According to Rolling Stone, among the first releases from G-Unit the label will be an album by G-Unit the group, which comprises 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks and Tony Yayo. The trio’s first official record is due for September, after Yayo is released from Riker’s Island Penitentiary in New York, where he’s serving a six-month sentence on gun charges. Letters from Eminem and Dr Dre convinced prison officials to shorten Yayo’s stay.

Yayo said from prison: “They said I’m a nice person, and they gave me an association with them. They’re also taking care of the legal bills - everything

Looks like VH1 is trying hard to attract that hip-hop audience. As previously reported, VH1 will be adding more hip-hop flavored shows this and as part of Black History month, VH1 premieres two new episodes of their popular show Driven. On Sunday (2/9), the channel premiered the Jay-Z episode which follows the life of Jay-Z on his road to fame, from growing up in Brooklyn’s Marcy Projects to his hustling days and his early days in hip-hop with Jaz and Original Flavor. For those that missed the episode, it will air again on February 12, 13, 18, 20 and 28, check your local listings.

On Sunday, February 16, VH1 will premiere the Lil Kim episode of Driven. The episode details the early life of Kim coming out of the projects in Brooklyn and hooking up with Junior Mafia and Notorious B.I.G.. The episode includes interview with those involved in her career and life such as her mother, and brother, Jermaine Dupri and Biggie’s mother, Voletta Wallace. The show even highlights details on when Kim was pregnant Biggie’s baby. Check local listings for when the show will air this Sunday.