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)
mikwerdna - Mostly Clear, Partly Cloudy [Review] October 07, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Music, Hip-Hop, Instrumentals Rating: 4 out of 5 “Listening I thought ... man, this hip=hip instrumental track is making me sleepy. And given the track is part of an upcoming lullaby album ... I’d say it does it’s job perfectly. ” — 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)
Naya Ali - Get It Right [ Music Video Review] September 23, 2019 by Kreadiv Kesh in Music Videos, Rap, Hip-Hop Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “ I love that she isn’t on the regular hot girl/city girl wave. Dope” — 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)
Cadet - Gang Gang [Music Video Review] September 11, 2019 by Kreadiv Kesh in Conscious, Hip-Hop Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “The video really helps bring the song out. Gives a Joyner Lucas type vibe. ” — Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)
Daugaard - Momento Mori (feat. Riggz The Lord) [Review] September 09, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Music, Soul, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “Written as a tribute to Mac Miller, Nipsy and all the others gone far too soon, this tracks delivers solid lyrics and an apt flow for a memoriam. Listen up and cherish the voices that have paved the way.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Jacob Manning - Come & Go [Music Video Review] September 09, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Hip-Hop, Music Videos Rating: 4 out of 5 “A nice easy reggae melody backs this humorous, yet meaningful look at common relationship woes. The smooth groove makes this an easy single to sing along with and enjoy.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
DAX - KILLSHOT 2 [Music Video Review] September 08, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 5 out of 5 “This track is meant to make you uncomfortable, because sometimes, that is the only way to shake up the neurons and make you think. The lyrics and video imagery do exactly that, but when you declare something meaningful, in a passionate way it rarely makes others comfortable and through that discomfort new ideas and thoughts are born.That said, this track delivers emotions, entertainment and a punch to the gut that leaves you engrossed. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
E.Lizé - The Arrival (feat. Chris Rivers) [Review] September 04, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “From the first beat, you know this track is bringing something special to the table. Two separate flows, each speaking their own truth in no nonsense way, deliver what feels like a Hip-Hop sermon.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)