Brilly Asher - Traumatized [Music Video Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Brilly Asher drops this honest and unflinching track about the way our behavior hits others. Anytime a talented artist, truly lays bare his soul the result is an engaging song with relevance, because human nature leads us all to make the same mistakes, have the same dreams, share the same fears.

The flow here is slow and steady and carries a hint of an R&B vibe. The backing is fairly low-key and stays out of the way for the most part without adding a lot of punch on its own. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Miles Morrison - Go Out (feat. Yo Gotti, Stunna Girl) [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Hard beats, and in your face lyrics over a pure party vibe. That is what Miles Morrison gives you with ‘Go Out.’

Course nobody has been allowed to go out for a while now, but imagine the free for all that will come once it is safe to do so. This song’s vibe comes close to the hedonistic urges lurking inside us all right now. There is an old school raunchy side to this and combined with the beat and various vocals it all comes together just like the best of parties.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Joe-Y - Cudi [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Joe-Y offers up a diverse set of vocal sounds and styles on his latest single, ‘Cudi.’ I will admit to being surprised by the level of talent more than once. This Ohio rapper is one to keep an eye on for sure.

Lyrically this track is about chasing dreams and perfection while also dealing with the struggles of mental illness and letting the doubts from that come in. The flow ranges from a straight up Hip-Hop vibe, to an almost Reggae like rhythm and tone.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Produkt x Rothstien - Supreme Wizards [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“The writing here delivers authentic emotion and strong imagery. You can taste and feel the grit and scenes described in this track. The flow is steady and deliberate, but there is enough variation to bring home to message. The beat and production gets out of the way for the most part but adds enough layers to the track to help establish the mood and soul of this piece. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

K.I.N.G. the MC - F.E.A.R. [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“There is a definite poetic feel to the vocal flow on this one, but that fact worked quite well as the writing is superb and the emotional build well worth the ride.

Fear has spoiled things for us all at some time and this ode to overcoming these dubious thoughts is uplifting and sobering. The truth of this track offers a strength we all need on occasion. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Schmolbowl - Long Flight [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Schmolbowl drops a tranquil and trippy flow on ‘Long Flight.’ With a rapid delivery and strong writing that overlaps and surprises at every turn, the track has an energy that envelopes you and makes you lean in close to hear what is coming next. The chorus has a nice hook and the track as a whole shows a good range of talent so I can;t wait to see what else comes from Schmolbowl on down the line.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Timmies - be someone to never lose [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track brings an intimate vibe with its soft vocals and tranquil beat and melody. At only a little more than 90 seconds long the track does not fit into the commercial mindset, but I was mesmerized by the tender emotion behind the piece and each time I gave it a listen I was totally immersed and calmed by the mood of the track.

Feels like a glimpse into the personal thoughts of another, and yet it carried relevance for me as well. There is simply an understated beauty behind this song.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Mass Conformity - Outside the Lines [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“A bluebird kind of day vibe permeates the air on this track which is laid over top of a jazz-like piano melody and the soft sounds of birds on a spring day. Lyrically, the piece falls somewhere between self-reflective stream of conscious, and a pointed freestyle about commentary on life and society. The flow comes steady and unrelenting with enough passion to make it interesting , but not so much that it spoils to tranquility of the mood. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Mase Well x Michael Christmas - Cycles [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Come for the fantastic line about Bill Murray and everyday being the same — Stay for the soulful beat and groove.

The writing sparkles at times on this track, and while there were a few production decisions that felt out of place me, the overall vibe here kept me tethered to the track all the way through. Both vocal flows are engaging, and I found myself closing my eyes and swaying along. In the end, that is all you can truly ask for from a song. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Cimòn - MAE [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“This track from Cimòn brings passion and fire, and feels exactly like the rebirth it is. Like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, Cimòn unabashedly flexes his plumage with choice lyrics and direct statement at those who have doubted or counted him out. The writing is sharp, and the flow engaging, on this single that is as much a proclamation of creativity and art, over commercialism and the pursuit of the dollar as it is a personal statement. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Lil Guillotine x MC Sole - No Thanks [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“With the Virus dominating the news cycle, the election has been pushed to the back burner, but this track shifts the focus back for at least a few minutes.

Well-written political refrain is rare in any genre, but Hip-Hop seems to be leading the way and this track joins several others with truth and conviction in a low- key, jazz infused flow. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Mykel Hawk - If This Is Armageddon [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Fresh off his hard hitting EP, Mykel Hawk is back with a fresh track inspired by the current events we are all facing.

Sharp, intelligent lyrics are the heart of this track, but Hawk’s hard-edged, gravel-filled tone is the soul and the pairing gives this track a punch that is both sobering and enlightening. This is Hip-Hop with something to say in a time when it needs to be said. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Wez Atlas - Overthink [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“All of us ‘Overthink’ things from time to time, and rarely do those jumble of thoughts settle into a groove as smooth or entertaining as this track about that very thing.

Born in Japan, and raised in Colorado, Wez Atlas drops this chill vibe about the treachery of getting stuck inside our own thoughts with a unique and interesting perspective. Nicely produced, and well-written, this is a soulful reflective Hip-Hop that will make you think as much on the third, (or thirtieth) listen as it does on the first.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Joey Bread - I Love Quarantine [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“If you are looking for a laugh to get you through this current state of the world then Joey Bread has a sliced you off a track full of self-deprecating humor.

Catchy and funny in the same way ‘Pretty Fly For A White Guy’ was, ‘I Love Quarantine’ is a hearty offering complete with Bread spreading on the fun side of being isolated at home nice and thick.

The video adds another layer to the lyrics and will help keep that smile on your face as you listen to the silver lining of our new lifestyle.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Mike SB - Ny for the Weekend (Prod. By Shiggy) [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Mike SB wrote this one on a trip to NYC. Among his plans were to reconnect with an ex, but she had a different agenda and in that moment he realized sometimes, you simply have to move on no matter how hard it is.

The trip also allowed Mike SB to be in studio with Shiggy and this track is part of that effort. The vocals are smooth and the lyrics come from a place of genuine reflection and emotion. Both facts shine through in the flow.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Jwalt - Where You Been [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Hailing from Oakland, California, 18-year-old emcee, Jwalt is brash, confidant, and talented. Here he offers up an answer to the question of ‘Where You Been?’

Lyrically the flow answers the questions about his personal life, as well as the trajectory of building a career.

The truth is he’s been working on his craft, opening for NAS, and being featured on Sirius XM, but fans do not always see all the work going on behind the scenes so this track sheds some light on the hustle, the emotion, the passion it takes to rise to the top of any artistic endeavor.

The flow here is direct and energetic, with authentic honesty driving the lyrics.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Cam Carter x Ghostwriter LA - Anything For That Body [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The art of storytelling within the strict confines of a three or four minute song is a challenging jump, that not many are able to land. Cam Carter is able to do so here with a quiet almost staid flow that is brought to live by the engaging hook of the chorus. Teaming up with Ghostwriter LA, Carter is able to bring out the nuances of the lyrics and deliver an emotional track that means even more upon subsequent listens.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Rad - When I'm Faded [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track hooked me with the writing up front. Are the vocals pitch perfect and smooth? No, but they are genuine and honest, and I felt every damn word because of that.

When you have something to say, and you can say it with conviction, you don’t need some false shiny luster to make your words shine.

This is Hip-Hop truth with an air of vulnerability to make it real. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Cinoevil - Dead Weight [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Cinoevil drops this sharply written track that cuts straight into you with a banging energy and steady vocal flow. The track features battle rap veteran, Shotgun Suge and is a powerful verbal onslaught that showcases Cino’s skills as an emcee. The beat is infectious and with each listen the writing comes through to provide even more engagement. The single is part of a 14 track album that dropped in early March.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Check out the complete Album here.

Lourdiz - Suicide Down Ft. Lil Gotit [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Lourdiz is a rising star to watch. Her vocal flow hits hard where it needs to, and settles into an infectious rhythm at other junctures of this track. The writing captures to dynamics of an artistic lifestyle quite well, as the struggle for the hustle is not a linear path, but an up and down battle that is not for the weak of or timid.

The fact Lourdiz is but 18 years old , and has this and so much else figured out bodes well for the talented star in the making.

Lil Gotit joins in here giving this track even more depth and variation.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)