Handbook - Tie My Hands [Review] August 13, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Music, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “Poetic and poignant, ‘Tie My Hands,’ rides a steady beat and direct vocals to a message that hits home. This is the kind of track you need to sit quietly and digest, but it is the kind of song that is well worth the time and effort to do so.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Kosha Dillz - 15 years later (prod. by Djay Cas) [Review] August 12, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “Tracks like this are important, because they highlight that you can come through whatever it is your dealing with. ‘15 Years alter’ brings a direct flow, delivered with truth and raw emotion. All without being filtered through necessary smoke and mirrors.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
edbl - Table for Two [Review] August 12, 2019 by Travis Erwin in music, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “This is a fun, jazzy track with a beat that thumbs like your heartbeat giving it a natural, hip-hop groove that is hard not to move in rhythm with.The vocal flow is both sweet and sexy at the same time, and lyrically it puts a new spin on being happy in love.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Carlos Bryant - Friends (feat. Don Quez) [Review] August 12, 2019 by Travis Erwin in music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “A dark, almost ethereal, melody and beat set the tone for a set of lyrics that come at you with a steady and emotional flow. The track unfolds like inner dialogue for the first three minutes before morphing into a statement on coping with the world. Almost feels like two songs, but poignant all the way through. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Netherfriends - Finesse [Review] August 06, 2019 by Kreadiv Kesh in Conscious, Hip-Hop Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “Netherfriend delivers a prolific track called “Finesse”. With a cadence that releases a hip-hop sound this is one track that will have you singing along. ” — Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger) https://open.spotify.com/track/0aaooWiyGhM8GWvtRExaZI?si=CFBYL13ZSj6WVkFljdRanQ
Michael Laroy - Stuck on You [Music Video Review] August 05, 2019 by Kreadiv Kesh in Conscious, Hip-Hop, Music Videos Rating: 4 out 5 “Just like Michaels’ heart shaped shades we are loving the simple yet relaxed visual for “Stuck On You”. Accompanied by infused guitar strings Michael secludes himself as he talks about a love he once had.”
Hermitude- "OneFourThree Feat. Buddy & BJ The Chicago Kid" [Review] August 05, 2019 by Kreadiv Kesh in Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “If you are looking to get in the groove then this song is for you. With a upbeat sound followed by a hand clap “One Four Three” will keep you on your feet. ” — Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)
Chuuwee - September's Very Own [Review] August 02, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Music, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “Straight spittin’ flow with life!Sometimes it’s nice to hear a flow that drops true and direct without unnecessary smoke and mirrors. Layer in lyrics that say it and vocals that deliver and the result is pure entertainment. I am on board! ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
The 485s - Lovesick [Review] August 01, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “Smooth and easy ... all the way through. R&B vocals and a steady flow give ‘Lovesick’ a timeless feel. A track you will never get tired of hearing.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
LiL MC - Young Blood [music Video Review] August 01, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “The talent of Lil MC is obvious whether she is singing her vocals, or delivering them in a rapid steady flow. This song and video carry a dark, but honest tone that had me leaning forward to fully comprehend and digest the lyrics. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Pell - Skyfall (feat. Ambré & Malik Ninety Five) [Music Video Review] August 01, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “A nice blend of pop vocals and a steady stream-of-consciousness flow that mixes humor and truth to keep me hooked. The video captures the easy going vibe and this is a single to sing along with while you think about life.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Ceschi (Feat. Yoni Wolf)- Yoni's Electrocardiographs [Review] July 31, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Music, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 5 out of 5 “Powerful and entertaining ... Enlightening and evoking ... this is conscious Hip-Hop at its best! Words of passion, anger, heart, and drive are delivered atop a soothing melody which stands in contrast with the world we live in. And yet, there are always moments of hope and light and good. This song captures it all. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Hannah V ft Shystie and Pepper Rose - No Limit [Music video Review] July 29, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Lyric Video, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “Bold and defiant ‘No Limit’ deploys a fast flow and a direct set of lyrics that challenge and enlighten. The accent adds to the attitude of the single and the chorus is sung with emotion and intrigue. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
BRBRCK - WAVES (ft. Phil Street) [Music Video Review] July 29, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Hip-Hop, Conscious, Autotune Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “The video is the perfect compliment to this track. Without it I am unsure the lyrics would resonate as well as they do, but the beat is steady and the performance engaging enough to hold my focus start to finish.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Dougie Allen - On Me [Review] July 26, 2019 by Kreadiv Kesh in Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out 5 “Nate dogg would be proud. This song has a west coast vibe over jamming lyrics that will sure to have you two stepping with a bottle in your hand” — Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)
Jae Himself - Vennom Passion Sociiety [Review] July 23, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Music, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “Lyrics that hooked me early, and a flow that hits hard with the beat, makes this track one that I could not escape from through multiple listens. ’Vennom Passion Sociiety’ is the kind of single that leaves you pondering and thinking long after the last beat. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Clay-Doh the World Destroyer - Part of Myself Died (feat. Big Mic & K-Rino) [Review] July 23, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Music, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “A self-reflective and honest track that delivers powerful words in a direct style. This is a track that feels like part confession, but they are also words and sentiments that serve us all. Truly Conscious Hip Hop.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
RMXKNZ - CANVAS [Review] July 19, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Music, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “A jazzed-up banger with attitude! Pop in the earbuds, hit play, and stroll through the city streets with some cocksure swagger as this one pumps up your every step.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Lo Boii - Chakra [Review] July 19, 2019 by Kreadiv Kesh in Conscious, Music, R&B Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “The release of good energy in Lo Boii new single “Chakra” is not only energetic but it gives a funky beat that leaves you clapping and stumping your feet.” — Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)
Anonymous XI - Ghost [Review] July 16, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Straight up. When you’re talking top shelf — be it liquor or music — you don’t need a bunch of unnecessary stuff tossed into the mix. ‘Ghost’ is the kind of track that proves that with a straight-up beat, and a steady linear flow that hits with truth and passion and an underlying wisdom. All without any fancy embellishments.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)