J. Ferb - Bullseye [Review] October 28, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Music, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “J. Ferb has overcome adversity and hardships to create his upcoming debut album. ‘Bullseye’ is the first track off that album, and if it is any indication of what we can expect out of this rising talent, then Memphis has gave birth to you another music star. Tight lyrics and a passionate flow hit the mark on this track.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Rudeboy Tha Shottah - Can I Breath [Music Video Review] October 28, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “Lyrical truth is a powerful thing and this track rings true not only in content, but also in the delivery. Rudeboy Tha Shottah makes me feel his emotions with an honest straightforward delivery that is the musical equivalent of unflinchingly staring someone in the eye while they speak from the heart. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Big Shug - "EMF" (prod. by DJ Premier) [Music Video Review] October 25, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “Calling out every MF’er, ‘EMF’ is Big Shug laying it out in his no frill fashion. This is the track to play when you too are pissed off and fed up with with the doubters, naysayers, and haters. Straight-up lyrics dropped over the top of a straight-up beat. Nothing fancy, but effectual. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Stilljune - Feel It [Music Video Review] October 22, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “Spot on writing delivered with a direct and honest flow.The song builds via emotional attachment. Like listening to a good friend speak their mind about hopes, dreams and even frustrations.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Donn Chii - Chocolate Lemonade [Review] October 18, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “A clever metaphor that works great with this delivery — which is almost irreverent and taunting. Chocolate and Lemonade are fine individually, but nasty when mixed together and the same can be said about the relationship in question in this track. A fun song that still brings some universal truths.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Violet LaVelle - Skeletons (feat. Daisha McBride) [Review] October 17, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Music, Commercial, Conscious, Hip-Hop Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “A fun pop track calling out those exes who think they can come rattling their bones back around. ’Skeletons’ truly catches fire about :45 in and never backs off bringing the heat from that point.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
EMS - Rapscallions [Music Video Review] October 13, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “EMS brings some international flavor with this video and hard-hitting set of lyrics. ’Rapscallions’ takes that Beastie vibe, and builds a thumping sound full of nods to the past, without sounding like a copy of anything. Fresh and real and solidly worth your time! ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Shaheen - Belong Here [Review] October 11, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Music, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Hard hitting words and emotions from a viewpoint not often heard in Hip-Hop. This is an important track to listen to with a open mind. These lyrics will no doubt piss off some, but anything worth saying usually does.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Big Shug - "Still Big" (prod. by DJ Premier) [Review] October 08, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Music, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “Old school, straight-forward Hip-Hop for the win!.Big Shug has something to say and he says it with confidence, in a direct flow that prompts you to stop and listen. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Nic D - Through Your Teeth [Review] October 02, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “The beat hits hard here and so does the message in Nic D’s latest offering. The chorus delivers bite and the verses ooze with emotional pain and turmoil. A track with feeling and grit.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Wilsun x Bobby Raps - Mirror [Review] October 02, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious, Autotune Rating: 4 out of 5 “Riding a dark and heavy vibe, this tracks reflects on life by asking ... What do you see when you look in the mirror? The flow is solid, and the beat spot on, in this single that leaves you feeling like maybe you have more control in things than you realize.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Cab Ellis - Suburbia [Review] October 01, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Indie Rock, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “Fun! Truthful! Genre bending! Cab Ellis delivers a track that is all of the above and then some. A high-energy single about escaping ‘Suburbia’ to chase your dreams.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Ayentee - New Currency [Review] September 30, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Music, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Nothing hooks faster than spot on writing, and this lyrical flow is intricate and true and slices through the psyche to make you truly think and ponder. The delivery is smooth and carries confidence. An all around great track!” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Kai Roberts - Weekend (feat. Dhruva Krishna & Jason Rafalak) [Review] September 27, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Music, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “We all spend a lot of time waiting for the ‘Weekend’ to arrive, but if we aren’t careful our life slips by while we are waiting for what’s next, rather than living for the day. This track brings a steady flow and a calm delivery that we can all relate to while stopping to think about the day to day routine.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
JZAC - Rain Check [Review] September 27, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Music, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “It is easy to feel alone in this hectic big world, but the best of delivers emotion that lets us know we are not alone in our feelings and perceptions. ‘Rain Check’ brings the grit of life, the ups and downs, the hopes and fears, the worries and times of peace all with an genuine elegance that drips with authenticity. and it does so with a smooth flow, and articulate words. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
D.E.L - Away [Review] September 27, 2019 by Keshia Gass in Conscious, Hip-Hop Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “We take a vocal yet soulful visit into D.E.L thoughts as he is running away from his feelings. ” — Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger) Second single off upcoming EP "IM TOO EMOTIONAL"
JuJu Rogers - Real Shit [Review] September 25, 2019 by Kreadiv Kesh in Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “JuJu spits “Real Shit” that most people can feel.” — Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)
Khemist - I Been On A Budget [Music Video Review] September 15, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Hip-Hop, Conscious, Funk Rating: 4 out of 5 “The flow’s verses here comes at you like spoken word poetry. Well-written, the chorus delivers a truth most of us know all too well. This track is gritty with the reality of life.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Timothy Ross - Smile (Feat. Cvmbie) [Review] September 15, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “A fun summer vibe carries this beat and the single has an undeniable energy in both the lyrics, and the pair of performances. Entertaining and truthful, the story of this song is one we can all get behind.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Charlie Noiir - Very Scary [Review] September 11, 2019 by Kreadiv Kesh in Rap, Conscious, Hip-Hop Rating: 5 out of 5 “This is a banger from the production to the mix to the actual artist. Nice.” — Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)