Lil Primo - STARBURST [Music Review] November 11, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Lil Primo feels anything but lil on this big bold track. ‘Starburst’ has that old school, in-your-face vibe, and Primo infuses that hard flow with fresh linds and a crisp delivery that lands the lyrical punches with skill and precision. This LA are rapper brings the perfect verve to his flow and the writing hits with grit and emotion.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Nicki Knightz - Step With Me (ft. JoeJas) [Music Video Review] November 09, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Hip-Hop, Conscious, Rap Rating: 2.5 out of 5 “The video is simple but works well witht he lyrics and vibe. This track was a mixed bag for me overall. I dig the writing and the passion put into the delivery of these flows, thought he staccato beat and start and stop feel on that side left the build feeling chaotic in a disorganized kind of way for me.Both Nicki Knightz and JoeJas convey the emotion well in their flow and I admire their talent but this arrangement felt like a bit of mess for me.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Florigineel x Thai Thai x Young Buck - Clowns [Music Review] October 31, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “Blunt and in your face! Florigineel, Thai Tahi, and Young Buck unleash a hard edged Rap track with teeth. ‘Clowns’ has some old school, Gangsta Rap sensibilities and some new world grit.Each flow hits and the lyrical punches jab uppercut, and deliver one knockout blow after another. This is the brand of unflinching Rap you remember and the Rap we all need to hear more of because let’s face it the world is a softer place these days and that’s not always a good thing.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Joshua Golden - I Can't Wait To Meet You [Music Review] October 31, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Trap, Rap, Pop, Alternative Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Most of us long to find that elusive soulmate, and while waiting, we come up with our ideas and ideals of what that person will be like. Joshua Golden taps into those expectations with his tack, ‘I Can’t Wait To Meet You.’The song straddles that line between Pop and Rap to create a Commercial track that should appeal to a wide audience. The emotion and performance and added snippets of conversation on each end really come together to feel true and genuine.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
JRoberts - What's The Deal (Featuring Ayoo Bigz) [Music Review] October 14, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap Rating: 2 out of 5 “This one missed me in a lot of ways. The timing is solid, and I do hear passion in the delivery. That said overall the beat and backing felt melodramatic and the flow had a stilted tone prior to that shift at 1:20. The second flow felt far more authentic for my ears as that delivery hit for me leaving the track with a Jekyll and Hyde contradiction of the two delivery styles.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Lil Savage - They Don't Even Know [Music Review] October 09, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “Lil Savage wrote this song a week after losing the love of his life to suicide. The emotion and heavy impact of that tragic events can be felt in the heavy brooding build and emotion of the track. I do wish the vocal side had a touch more vibrancy within the mix but then again, the heavy sadness does come through so perhaps the track is meant to feel subdued. A track with grit, vulnerability, and genuine emotion.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
MINASTA SCRUGE - INTEGRITY [Music Review] October 09, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “Minasta Scruge brings an old-school type flow with his track ‘Integrity.’ Clever wordplay marks the lyrical flow and the rhymes play off each other with a simple brilliance that keeps you leaning in eager for the next line. Snoop Dogg joins in to deliver his only brand of cool smooth relaxation. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Ice Meez - What It Do [Music Review] September 03, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap Rating: 4 out of 5 “Ice Meez is bringing the West Coast vibes on his latest track, ‘What It Do.” Sharp lyrical punches land with precision and power, and the beat hooks the listener to pull them along. Ice Meez knows how to create a vibe and he does so here with a skilled expertise. The track does a good job of fitting in the space between old school and contemporary and no matter the era this one simply hits.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Nazzy the Mic - Cheatin [Music Review] August 23, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap Rating: 4 out of 5 “Nazzy the Mic is a talented young artis I have been keeping my eyes and ears on for awhile. Here in this track, Nazzy delivers a smooth unconventional love song. The flow is fire and while at times I craved less production to better allow the emotions to come through, the song is too good to let a small thing stop the world from digging in. ’Cheatin’ is a new twist on side pieces, and it comes from a voice the Rap world could use more of. Nazzy the Mic always delivers solid emotion especially for an artist so young.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Sleepy Lexx - Going Fast [Music Review] August 15, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “Repping the Bahamas, Sleepy Lexx delivers ‘Going Fast’ with a raspy flow that hits and meshes well with the beat behind it. Lexx’s flow is confidant and precise and the lyrical play holds the build together keeping the listener leaning in for the next line.I was left wanting more which is both bad and good but at only two minutes the track could have used another verse to keep the punches landing.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Ice Meez - Tomorrow [Music Video Review] August 04, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “Ice meez unleashes a track that is personal in nature but also speak to all of us. ‘Tomorrow’ is not promised and it is vital we embrace the present rather than spend all our focus chasing the future. The video for this track is well done and effectively adds to the emotions of the track.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Culture Jam - Can't Get Enough [Music Review] August 04, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap Rating: 4 out of 5 “Culture Jam delivers a beat and hook that goes all day long. Vocally the track has verve and confidence to sell the hard lyrical punches. That backing is infectious and stays with you long after the track ends. There are not enough strong female voices in the Rap world right now but this track definitely hits as hard as anything currently out there.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
P.U.R.P. - Jody (Rosita & P.U.R.P. Ft. Akeem Ali) [Music Review] August 03, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Hip-Hop, Conscious, Rap Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “P.U.R.P. joins forces with Rosita and Akeem Ali to give us a heart wrenching tale of a jilted sidepiece. ‘Jody’ turns the trop on its head given this time we are talking side dude rather than side chick. The track has some wry humor and irony as well as genuine grit and emotion lurking there in the irony.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Regan Aliyah - Walkout [Music Review] June 22, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious, Pop Rating: 4 out of 5 “You might know Regan Aliyah from her starring role in Netflix’s “XO Kitty” or from Marvel Studios’ “Ironheart,” but welcome to a new side of the multi-talented star. “Walkout’ is the latest creation from this artist and the infectious Hip-Hop anthem is one you are about t hear a lot more.The track comes in with verve and a old school backing, but then her flow hits and hooks the listener for the entire ride. Attitude, and a hint of sultry vibe come along with the intense delivery and confidence that borders on cocky.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Peach3 - Ghostryde It [Music Video Review] June 22, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Trap, Rap, Hip-Hop, Pop Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “Peach3 is the Gen Z version of TLC you didn’t know you needed. Old school Trap Hip-Hip with a bit of Pop sensibility gives this track the Commercial edge to stand out in the marketplace, but it is the verve and attitude that truly separates the trio from everyone else. Either you have it or you don’t and these Atlanta natives clearly do.Lyrically, I did crave more as ‘Ghostrude It’ relies heavily on the hook and bounce to carry the song, but I am eager to see where this trio goes as they establish themselves.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Potent S.U.B. - Shut Up Bitch [Music Review] June 03, 2024 by Kreadiv Kesh in Rap, Hip-Hop Rating: 3 out of 5 “This has a classic west coast beat to it. It reminds me of Too $hort but also has its on identity. Despite the cursing in every verse especially the hook the song makes you want to break down and dance. It does have a little kick back when the beat drops. The sound makes it seem like there is static or a speaker is broke.” — Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]
D!V!DENT - YDYAIDM (feat. WESTSIDE BOOGIE) [Music Review] May 25, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Lyrical power and a hard beat lend this track all the punch it needs. D!V!DENT is joined by WESTSIDE BOOGIE on the track and both flows hit with the force of vintage Tyson. ‘YDYAIDM’ is the perfect blend of old school, in your face aggression and smooth Contemporary lyricism.A true banger I needed to experience after starting to think modern Rap was trending too soft. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Nauti x Duke Deuce - CRASH DUMMY MUZIK [Music Review] May 25, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Trap, Rap, Hip-Hop Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “Who would have thought a little bit of Memphis and a whole lot of New Zealand would hook up to establish a smooth groove like ‘CRASH DUMMY MUZICK.’ This is one of those tracks best digested in a cloud of smoke so you can kick back and enjoy the smooth ride. Each listen gave me a new nuance and thought. Simply a vibe!” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Conflixx - LasT LetteR [Music Review] May 25, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Conscious, Hip-Hop, Rap Rating: 2 out of 5 “This track offers good artistic talent and yet it missed reaching its full potential. I liked the tone and the passion that pushed the flow forward and the premise or hook of the track is also rock solid but the elements did not quite combine to land with full force.’LasT LetteR’ certainly owes a nod in style to Eminem, and Conflixx has that same sharp delivery that lands when he is truly feeling it. Though there are times when the delivery felt forced and artificial. However, in the end, it was the writing that just didn’t stick the landing. The rhymes often felt forced, or at least predictable. There were not enough surprises or twists to take this one to the next level for me despite the obvious potential and talent. Give it a listen and let me know in the comments of you agree or disagree, and don’t forget to explain why or why not.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Yung Jewelz - Dirty Diana [Music Review] May 15, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Trap, Hip-Hop Rating: 4 out of 5 “Yung Jewelz brings the straight in your face passion on this track. The Dirty South is front and present on ‘Dirty Diana,’ a trap track with that deep south bounce pushing it forward. The flow hits hard, and the writing cracks open your skull and lets the words pour straight in. A gritty and real, punch directly to the gut!” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger