Ghandiii x John$on - Gang With Me [Music Video Review] September 23, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Rap, Trap, Hip-Hop Rating: 4 out of 5 “Ghandiii lays his thoughts and emotions out there with this banging flow and beat. ‘Gang With Me’ stays on the ragged edge and that passion is what hooked me in and kept me leaning in for the entire build. The verve and attitude come with pop and intent and holds the listener for the ride. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Ease The Don - Stay Safe [Music Video Review] September 19, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “Ease The Don and Jerry West team up to capture the West Coast Vibes on ‘Stay Safe.’ The groove has a definite Pop element to it, and the Cali Hip-Hop aura grabs hold as well as this one unfurls. Shot in So Cal, the video matches the mood of the song and both are all about finding your fun no matter what is going on around you. A perfect track for the jacked up world we all live in so add this one to you chill vibes playlist and enjoy the ride. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
maticulous - Close Range (feat. Kev Brown & J Scienide) [Review] September 17, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Hip-Hop, Conscious, Rap Rating: 4 out of 5 “Give it to maticulous — for creating this beat and producing the track in such a way to maximize the talents of Kev Brown and J Scienide. ’Close Range’ has that easy roll that put me in mind of Tupac, and the groove is one you can ride while cruising solo or chilling with your people. An easy rhythm and fall to flow into and feel as it unfurls pulling you along with it. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Alias Molombo x Blahzay Blahzay - Let's Get It [Review] September 10, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “Straight up old school style — with fresh and contemporary lyrics to bring the past forward to knock on today’s door. The flow comes with attitude and confidence and the beat infuses hype and energy the way too few tracks do these days. If you’ve been missing that scratch and boom bap beat, then this is the single you’ve been waiting for. Get it and get in on this track. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Ryan Cassata - Mattress [Review] September 10, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock, Hip-Hop, Singer/Songwriter Rating: 4 out of 5 “Regualr readers of LA on Lock will realize we have featured several tracks from LA artist Ryan Cassata, but this track certainly has a different vibe than those other songs. Cassata is talented and that fact shows in the diverse sounds and styles we have heard, though one constant is the strong writing and this track again offers that. This track has an Emo Hip-Hop vibe that underscores the Pop sensibilities.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Jboi YBP - Out tha Mud (feat. Jazze Pha) [Music Video Review] September 09, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Trap, Rap, Hip-Hop Rating: 4 out of 5 “The intro to the video really hooked me in, and set of the mood for the flow of this track. The beat production and groove are easy to fall in on and the lyrical flow resonates for anyone that has ever had a hard slog to try and get ‘Out Tha Mud,’ so to speak. The tone of the flow works well with the autotune and production dynamics keeping the listener leaning in and on the hook. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Justus Bennetts - Bad Day [Music Video Review] September 09, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Hip-Hop, Conscious, Pop, Rock Rating: 4 out of 5 “Justus Bennetts offers up this short, but pointed track that pretty much says everything we’ve all thought when truly pissed off. Eventually we all find that shitty person who does us wrong and this is the track for that moment!The flow is light and fun despite the dark tone of the words being delivered and that is what makes this track a fun one. So go ahead and save this one back until the next time you need to ‘dedicate’ it to that someone special.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Revalation x GoD iLLa x Mayhem (of EMS) - A Game prod. by Gajos [Music Video Review] September 08, 2021 by Kreadiv Kesh in Hip-Hop, Commercial Rating: 4 out of 5 “Revalation x GoD iLLa x Mayhem (of EMS) bring their “A Game” with their latest single. The single has a hardcore beat with lyrics that not only empower you but push you to accomplish anything that you set out to do. Each verse has a Hip-Hop yet poetic feel that is sure to keep you hyped.” — Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]
DxBoY - Lit Again [Review] August 26, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Trap, Rap, Hip-Hop, Commercial Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “DxBoy makes the most of this Trap beat and flow. ‘Lit Again’ is an ode to escaping lockdown and getting out there in the world alongside people and finding your vibe. The track comes with an easy beat to fall in on the groove and the lyrical flow hooks and holds the listener as well. Short but no so short that the flow doesn’t grab you and make its point. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Lil Bean - Mob Ties feat. Jackboy (Prod. Einer Bankz) [Review] August 22, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “Lil Bean is joined by Jackboy on this smooth build and flow. ‘Mob Ties’ delivers an easy groove to ride with its strong writing and emotive flow. The combination hooks and holds the listener and keeps you leaning in on both the lyrical progression and beat. The Bay Area rapper has a new album that is already gaining national attention so jump on board with this talented artist and be one of the first to buy in and recognize this rising talent.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Most Wanted - Hood Anime [Review] August 19, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Hip-Hop, Conscious, Neo-Soul, Adult Contemporary Rating: 4 out of 5 “Most Wanted offers up this track that simply hits different. The build and progression is a departure from the norm, and the construction here works well thanks to the energy and beat production. I did struggle a times to stay with the lyrical flow, but the groove and energy made it come to life for me despite that fact. I appreciate the raw talent and willingness to put something out in the world that doesn’t feel derivative of every other track on the radio.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Too Many T's - So Nice [Music Video Review] August 13, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “This track from Too Many T’s hits like a British Beastie Boys. That old school construction and beat felt nostalgic, without coming across as dated and the verve behind the flows flashes both confidence and talent. This is simply a track that will get you moving and bouncing along as you fall in line with the build. The video is just as fun on this party anthem that truly is ... ‘So Nice.’” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
#LAOnLockExclusive: Chriz Gabriel- "Potluck" [Music Video Review] August 09, 2021 by Kreadiv Kesh in Music Videos, Music, Hip-Hop, Jazz Rating: 5 out of 5 “Nowadays people tend to run when they hear the word “potluck”. It usually means their job is encouraging them and their coworkers to contribute a food item to a work office dinner. We all know everyone can’t cook and everything isn’t safe. However, Chriz Gabriel is cooking up a different vibe in his new single “Potluck” that you are sure to want more of after one listener.Chriz fuses bay vibes and London life with a Hip -Hop and Jazz melody that allows you to dance all the way through. Initially one would expect to see a bunch of adults cluttered around but “Potluck” visually creates a vibe that displays the talent of kids and a universal track that anyone can ride too.” — Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)
Shayan Valaie - FØURDAYS (feat. Yan P) [Review] August 06, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Trap, Hip-Hop, Adult Contemporary, Autotune Rating: 4 out of 5 “You ever been up for ‘FØURDAYS’ and realize you can longer feel your face? Then Shayan Valaie and Yan P are speaking your language on this track. We’ve all been there at one time or another and this easy progression brings out all the vibes from such prolonged adventures. So fire one up, or pour that stiff drink and keep the good times rolling with the rhythm of this infectious performance and hook-filled build. The smile on your face might even bring some of those lost sensations back.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Viktor Harter - Jerome ft. lunajoep [Review] August 05, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “We’ve all known a ‘Jerome,’ though the name might be different — the mindset they bring with them isn’t. The groove here on this track is funky and the beat urges you to nod and move along. This single offers a good balance between old school and new vibes. This is one of those tracks that simply worms its way into your ears and sticks for a long long time.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Scholars Ent. x Nolan the Ninja - WORK (Freestyle) [Review] August 04, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop Rating: 4 out of 5 “Most of the time I need a track to shine right out the gate to find my connection. ‘WORK’ was a bit slower building for me, so while I remianed optimistic early on, it wasn’t until the :45 second mark or so that the passion of this flow truly hooked me in. Once you digest the lyrics, this build makes perfect sense, but this one did take a bit for me to find my connection. Give it a listen and no doubt it will do the same for you. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Yung Jewelz - Price 2 Pay [Review] August 02, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Trap, Hip-Hop Rating: 4 out of 5 “Once the flow drops in — this track is a solid banger. The intro is intriguing as well, but it is her flow that truly brings the this one to life. Full of attitude, and that Southern Rap vibe that is often attempted, but rarely landed this single simply pops. Hard bars and a thumping cadence allow the punches to land with force. Don’t sleep on this one — this is a talented artist with plenty to say. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Zak North - Kidz Die II [Review] August 02, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Hip-Hop, Conscious, Rap Rating: 4 out of 5 “Every line of this track drips with emotion. The greatest fear of every parent is a health battle for their children, and while this song is directly about that event, there are things to digest here about humanity and the emotions we face even if if you have never stood in those shoes. This song is sad and yet hopeful at the same time because of this father’s passionate flow. This truly is a track to fell deep down in your gut.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Peachcurls - Senzu Bean [Music Video Review] July 23, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “Peachcurls establishes a mood here with his laidback delivery in stream of conscious kind of flow. The West Coast vibes are are strong on the track, and this is the perfect song for slow rolling under the sun as you glide by rows of palm trees. The writing is stellar and comes with a brazen take on the world that endears the listener to the artist, and makes you nod in agreement as you dig in on this chill flow. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
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