Dax - KILLSHOT 3 [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Dax never holds back. LA on Lock visitors have seen the tracks we share from this Independent artist who unflinchingly does things his way. With theatrical music videos and a passionate flows that come straight at you Dax always has something to say and he is never afraid to say it.

Here on ‘KILLSHOT 3’ he hits on all of that and more, in what could be construed as a personal anthem on the state of the musical industry and the struggle artists such as himself face.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

LiBand - Talk My Sh*t [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“LiBand. Remember the name of this Louisiana rapper. Hailing from the other LA, LiBand delivers his words and flow with brazen confidence and impeccable timing.

The writing is sharp without ever relying on the easy or rpdictable rhyme to deliver his message. No, this track isn’t redefining the genre, but it is going to entertain and keep you in the groove.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Chief Kelly - Lovely Bones [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Putting this single in any particular box is a tough task. Chief Kelly delivers a vocal sound that is perfectly attuned the the Indie Alternative designation, but this single has definite Hip-Hop sensibilities as well.

What stands out most for me is the passion and energy of the performance, and that makes ‘Lovely Bones’ a gripping listen no matter what label you stick on the track. The build and progression had me in its grip to the end. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Slaine - Chasing Ghosts (feat. Rite Hook) [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Slaine might be ‘Chasing Ghosts,’ on this Hip-Hop track about old flames, but he won’t be chasing listeners after more people get a chance to hear this track. The gravel in his flow, and the heart in his words combined to have me leaning in and on the hook for the duration. The chorus featuring Rite Hook adds another element to the emotions of this single.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Elijah Banks - Hard 2 Forget U [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Elijah Banks creates the emotion with a spot on performance that borders between Hip-Hop, and a more soulful R&B groove.

’Hard 2 Forget U’ is a track that owes its message to the one that got away, or escaped, or perhaps never quite was. It harkens of dashed love and missed opportunity in a yearning sort of way.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Phantom Phunk x Pandapaws x C.i.D. - Wound Up [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This is a track that shifts and bends, giving you several different vibes and grooves. Coming with an ensemble feel that reminded of Wu Tang, ‘Wound Up’ offers a soulful groove that you can’t help but fall into and sway along with.

Great for hanging with the people you call family whether they are related or not, or simply chilling by yourself the mood here is inescapable.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

404vincent x LocateEmilio - I'm So Stressed [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Being stressed never felt this good. A straight up energetic banger that will make you both smile and nod your head in agreement.

There are plenty of tracks about anxiety that take a more languid approach to the emotion, but this approach has the ability to shake off the stress and get you moving with the beat.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Rxtherapper - I Know [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Coming with a flow that is backdropped by a soulful groove, Rxtherapper drops ‘I Know.’ The track has an easy rhythm and flow to it, that just sort of wraps around you and pulls you along. The tone and vibe combine to sweep you up and in and the video adds enough to the package to hold your visual interest as well.

This single hits like a conversation with a good friend. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Tayy Tarantino- Ten Toes [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“It’s the snow for me. It was nice to see a video shot in a different setting especially Alaska. Tayy Tarantino’s flow is direct as he tells a story of perspective. He delivers a surprise sound in the chorus and goes right back to his verses.”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

Ian J in Ya Mouth - Long Live Nipsey Hussle [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Nipsey has been gone a while now, but he’s certainly not forgotten, and this track conveys the emotions and passion of his fans quite well.

The flow is low key, but the earnest feelings come through loud and clear and you can feel the grief, disillusionment, and anger in every word.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Balt Getty, Chino XL - Rakim [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Kick it back to 1990 something with this throwback to a Hip-Hop sound that you don’t get much of these days.

Lyrically, the track offers fresh contemporary lines that hit hard at times and offer up wry humor at others. Balt Getty and Chino Xl play off each other and the track packs in a lot in two short minutes. I did find myself wishing the track lasted a bit longer.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Canna Man x Filuka x Kaser - Atshitshi [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“It’s been a long hard year, and for many we had to find our calm where we could. ‘Atshitshi’ starts as Hip-Hop track that falls into a nice soulful R&B groove and there in the smoke of this Cannabis ballad is a tranquil vibe and flow that unfurls like a nice high.

Add this one to your 420 playlist for those times you want to fire up and chill.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Poetik - FAME. [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“It. A simple word that often means nothing, but when it comes to entertainment, having ‘It’ means everything.

Poetik has it.

The IT factor that captivates sand holds you. ‘FAME’ is a track about the contradictions of remaining true to who you are in the face of rising stardom and thanks to Poetik’s calm verve, this single simply works.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Call Me Ace - No Assistance [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“With an uplifting backing that feels like a choir urging you on, Call Me Ace drops his truth with sharply written lines and a rising passion that builds as the track progresses. This track is part of NBA 2K21 in game experience so while many will hear ‘No Assistance,’ it is vital that you take time to stop and digest the lyrics for the full experience to land.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

K.M. - Not Everybody Lives [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The truth delivered here in these lines ... Everybody dies, ‘Not Everybody Lives’ ... is a sentiment we have heard before, but K.M. drops this hook amid a lyrical build that feels both passionate and earnest. The flow is steady and deliberate, yet still conveys a heartfelt belief that makes every word land with conviction. It is this, that allows the track to break through and land in a meaningful way.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Icon South - Clone (ft. Neko Savvy & Lil Twist) [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Icon South teams up with fellow Texas artists Neko Savvy & Lil Twist to lay it down on this crazy Zetra & Sham beat.

The beat and progression make it easy to put a little bounce into your sway as you let this track settle down on your shoulders. The unique vocal tones mesh well and leave the track standing out in a time when a lot of tracks sounds exactly the same.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Santino x Mir Fontane - What is Hell Like? [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The unique tone caught me first, and the strong writing kept me leaning in. Both flows deliver a nice bit of passion and emotion and the beat production feels right for the track — hitting hard at times, but staying out of the way where need be.

’What is Hell Like?’ ... well I can tell you Hell is not listening to good music and talented artists like this, so the question will have to be answered another day for me.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

CHRiS DiViNE - Don't Let Up [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Chris Divine’s new song ‘Don’t Let Up’ was inspire by Tupac’s ‘Brenda’s Got A Baby’. The song serves as motivation for women to keep their head up even when they are tired. Sometimes unplanned motherhood strengthens women when they least expect it. Shot in Black and White the aesthetics is to show emotion and that there is a such thing as having a family and love.”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

Instagram: Chrisdivinexsoundcloud.com/divinebastard Song wrote by CHRiS DiViNEDirected by Bruno AponteStory wrote by CHRiS DiViNE & Krystal RoseStarring Kr...

Born Allah - "Jabril (Let the Horns Blow)" (feat. Rakaa of Dilated Peoples) [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Born Allah teams up with Rakaa on this track to come straight at you here with a flow that demands your attention. The confidence and razor sharp wordplay provide the hook, over the top of a horn and percussion heavy track created by German beatsmith Zpu-Zilla, which finished off an energetic track with yet another layer that refuses to let you turn away.

Born Allah’s new album Analog Baby drops January 7th. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Suspect Ed - First Class [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This is a track that shakes up the norms. Coming almost with a medley like vibe of shifting styles and delivery tones, Suspect Ed is tough to classify in any one genre. There is a definite Hip-Hop flow that works well, but the track also offers a nice 80’s style vocal hook that feels nostalgic, while also managing to come across as a modern Pop arrangement. Through multiple listens, I remained on the hook for this ‘First Class’ trip. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)