Rich Robbins - It's Not Your Fault [Review] July 16, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious, Commercial Rating: 4 out of 5 “This track truly finds it heart around the :40 second mark, but the writing and passionate delivery of the flow make it engaging right from the start. Rich Robbins takes on toxic masculinity with this well-written song. The creativity and shifting sounds does conjure up comparisons to Tyler the Creator, but the groove of this track adds a musical vibe that not many track manage to pull off.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Marcey Yates - Shitte Dae [Review] July 16, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “It could have been a shitty day, but I won’t let it ... so says the intro and chorus of this track. Marcey Yates takes an attitude and mindset and pours it into lyrical form here on this track. ‘Shitte Dae’ is a mood, and a groove, and through several listens it held me and kept me leaning in to feel these lyrics and remind myself my own outlook plays an outsized role in what kind of day I’m going to have.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
ItsMeHowl - Le Sigh [Review] July 04, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Study Beats, Hip-Hop Rating: 4 out of 5 “Need something to put on while you relax or focus on another task at hand? ‘Le Sigh,’ from ItsMeHowl is just the track you need for such playlists. Low key and calm, but still with a true sense of purpose and direction, the track carries you along like a gentle river toward wherever it is you wish to go. This piece is all about setting a mood in the background, and it achieves that task very well. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Rich Yung Zaya - The Weed The Dope [Music Video Review] July 02, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Rap, Hip-Hop Rating: 4 out of 5 “Coming right at you with a straight up lyrical free flow, Rich Yung Zaya keeps you on your toes trying to catch the references and sharp word play. The flow on this track is delivered without unnecessary or added embellishments, just straight up old-school verve and attitude. Fans of 50 Cent and that style will want to check out this artist and all he has to offer.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Rico Freeman - Cash Out [Review] June 27, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Autotune Rating: 4 out of 5 “Rico Freeman kept me on the hook for this ride with a siren like beat, and an unbalanced cadence that kicks off a vibe that takes the flow right to the ragged edge. You can call this a hype track if you must, but it simply feels like a declaration of confidence for me. Add this track to your energetic playlists when you need that jolt of motivation. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Moemaw Naedon & Calig Kontra - Futura Dystopia [Review] June 05, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “Moemaw Naedon and Calig Kontra have captured a mood with ‘Future Dystopia.’ Described as a post apocalyptic banger, this track unfurls with procision hitting its mark every step of the way. The old school flow meshes well with the hard-edged beat and build of the track, making it feel futuristic while maintaining the tones and edge of a foundation too many other artists run from these days. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Trip Carter - Freshout [Review] June 04, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Hip-Hop, Indie Pop, Contemporary R&B, Alternative Rating: 4 out of 5 “Trip Carter’s somes with a distinct raspy vocal style that emotes the light but direct attitude of this lyrical flow. He shares, ‘This song is about the feeling you get when you’re finally out of a bad situation. When you’re fresh out of jail, work, quarantine, or a toxic relationship, the energy is unmatched. You can finally breathe, blow off some steam and look forward to new possibilities.’The track is a genre ender but comes with a steady easy groove that pulls you in and holds you there. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Dax - Dear Mom [Music Video Review] May 07, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Rap, Commercial, Conscious, Hip-Hop, Alternative, Rock “Dax is back with a track that comes with a different vibe than his usual intense flows and messages. Right in time for Mother’s Day, Dax drops this ode to the hard working moms out there who have made a lifetime of sacrifices for the sake of their children while also offering that steady hand of guidance we at times resent be need as we find our own way in the world. This is one to sit back and feel this weekend, and every other day, because we wouldn’t be here without our moms.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Saynt LA - RUBBABANDz [Music Video Review] May 02, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Trap, Rap, Hip-Hop Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Yep, yep, yep... you know shit is about to get serious when she reaches for that rubber band, but Saynt LA is dropping more than stacks on this track. There are surprises to be had from the build and delivery, but the flow and energy are pure fire start to finish on his track ‘RUBBABANDz.’The lines land with a snap, and one listen is not enough to catch all the lyrical pop making this one a fun listen no matter how many times you play it. The Trap cadence and beat give this track a straight-up banger that will pick you up when you are down or fire you up when you’re already teetering on that edge.Saynt brings that little but of rasp to his delivery, which adds to the punch of this performance and hooks the listener in. The video is well done and the attitude of the single shines through in the imagery quite well. Don’t sleep on Saynt LA, or this track. ‘RUBBABANDz’ belongs on any playlists that craves energy and that IDGAF verve that is perfect for the club or partying from home. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Revalation x GoD iLLa x M-Dot - I Been (prod. by L.O.B.) [Music Video Review] April 27, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “Straight up old-school swag, both in the flow, and in the writing. If you are a fan of strong ensembles, ala Wu-Tang then this is a track that will get you bouncing to the beat. The video is straight up fun, and will take you back to the days you and your homies got up to jacking around with the world around you.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Icon South - My Script [Review] April 23, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “Icon South teams up with Indie Artist, whynotcordell on this melancholic track. “My Script’ utilizes an almost monotone delivery to drive home the emotion and power of the writing. The beat is straightforward, but a perfect match for the vibe of the lyrics. This songs puts that disenfranchised angst we’ve all felt, into a tangible art form.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Matt Nye - Hell of a Guy [Review] April 21, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “I might be a day late sharing this one, but hey, 4/20 is way more a way of lifestyle than a date on the calendar. Matt Nye drops this smooth easy flow that bends and curls like the sweetest smoke with its pungent wordplay and mystical beat production. There are Mac Miller vibes to be made, but this one just feels right no matter who you wanna compare the style to. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Heretixx - Stripes [Review] April 17, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop Rating: 4 out of 5 “Smooth West Coast vibes dominate this flow and beat. Heretixx adds a touch of Trap to the mix to give this track a slightly different feel than a lot of West Coast Hip Hop. The flow is mesmerising as it slithers through a nice lyrical build and progression. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Brandon Bill$ x DaniLeigh - Unlimited Skills [Music Video Review] April 11, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “Hooks for days. The beat, those lines, the imagery of the video ... all of it works here on this track. Brandon Bill$ and DaniLeigh team up to deliver the track with a nice balance and swagger that brings out the vibes. I did wish the track went a touch longer, as I definitely wanted more when it was over. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Pats x Raptor - What's the Word? [Review] April 09, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “What can you do when you ain’t being heard? Pats and Raptor take a bit of old school flow and a bit of Mac Miller influenced sound to answer the very question that plagues many independent artists. A serpentine like arrangement accompanies the hook and the dup combines to hook you in with a classic Hip-Hop sound. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Chríz Gabriel - Drip [Music Video Review] April 06, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious, Contemporary R&B, Commercial Rating: 4 out of 5 “With ties to London, Brooklyn, and LA, Chríz Gabriel brings a smooth worldliness to his flow that gives his delivery a hook and edge even on a track like ‘Drip’ which on the surface is all about a clean tranquil vibe. Dig in deeper however, and the nuance of the writing adds a dimension than only a man like Gabriel is poised to unleash. Fresh out of London, Chríz Gabriel is a man on a mission. With a talent birthed through LA culture and Brooklyn block parties, and a sound inspired by artists such as Little Simz, Lecrae and Drakeo the Ruler, Chriz is a melting pot of West coast sounds, catchy hooks, and intricate flows. There is a hint of freestyle and stream-of-consciousness to the overall flow style, though the production and hook elevates ‘Drip’ to that next level and gives the track the added purpose to make it stand out from the fray. The video gives the viewer a glimpse of Gabriel’s personality and passion.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Jonnie Morris - Squad In Da Field [Review] April 04, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Trap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “Jonnie Morris drops a flow that feels raw and ragged in the best possible ways. The emotion of the writing is present in every word laid down. There is a hint of old school 90’s flavor, but not so much that this track feels dated in anyway. More like a homage with a fresh spin.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Mo Nicole - Friends [Review] March 29, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Neo-Soul, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “The escalating tempo hooked me on this track. Coming with a staccato flow infused with attitude, Mo Nicole rides the beat letting her lyrical punches land with precision. After a steady build, the flow backs off which allows the words to carry more emotion as the message sinks in with depth.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
P Double - Paid [Review] March 16, 2021 by N3 On The Track in Music, Hip-Hop Rating: 4 out of 5 “Instantly as soon as you hit play on “Paid” the instruments put you in the vibe. I love the line in the hook “You do whatever you want when you paid”. Reminds me of how I feel after cashing a check & walking out the bank lol. ” — N3 On The Track (LA On Lock Blogger) View this post on Instagram A post shared by LA On Lock 🔒 (@laonlock)
912KEEM -LONG LIVE ABE [Music Video Review] March 10, 2021 by Kreadiv Kesh in Music, Music Videos, Singer/Songwriter, R&B, Conscious, Hip-Hop Rating: 4 out of 5 “A year has past but the hurt, trauma, healing and fight still exists. 912Keem releases their new song Long Live Abe. What started out as was walk/run through the city lead to a violent ending. 912Keem not only walks us through their view but they musically connect us to their emotional feelings. A lot of weight is carried but no one ever sees the scars. ” — Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger) Follow 912 KEEMInstagram: 912keemTwitter: 912keemLong Live Ahmaud Arbery