Frank D - Mad [Review] November 23, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “Frank D taps into so much on this track. There is a bit of old school to the flow and delivery, but not so much the track truly feels retro. What it does feel is ... real. ’Mad’ is a track we can all relate to. The world has a way of beating us down and sometimes we have an exact reason for being mad while other we simply wake up that way from the pressure of the world we live in. This flow makes you feel like you are not alone in these struggles and that is what the best music does no matter the emotion being explored.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Chadster - Sin (ft. 6LACK) [MUSIC VIDEO] November 19, 2021 by Kreadiv Kesh in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “Love is contagious and addicting but in Chadster’s new single with 6LACK it is sinful. The two explain how it can be wrong to love the wrong person but also feel good at the same time. It leaves you on a high and takes you away as if you are hypnotized.” — Kreadiv Kesh - [LA On Lock Blogger] “Always aiming to make “music of the future,” Chadster’s sound is fresh, innovative, and out of this world. His alter ego is even the self-proclaimed “president of the universe.” Chadster is quickly rising and has sights set on world domination. Stay tuned-in on this promising young artist.”
Ottomatick - Wait A Minute (Ft. Wild Hypnotik) [Review] November 11, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Trap, Hip-Hop Rating: 4 out of 5 “Ottomatick drops ‘Wait A Minute,’ a track that immediately establishes a mood with haunting vocals that he accentuates with his deliberate flow and writing. A track that speaks in multiple voices to deliver emotion and intrigue. The flow here isn’t fast or furious but it dies come with passion and intent the give and take between the two deliveries adds to the feeling of being swept along. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Kellen Joseph - Shade of Blue [Review] November 05, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Alternative, Hip-Hop Rating: 4 out of 5 “LA artist, Kellen Joseph offers up this emotive and vulnerable Rock track dealing with grief. The emotive vocal talent brings to life the well-written track that instills the sense of loss and confusion when the entire world seems to be moving on and you are still stuck in that place of sorrow. This track has just a hint of Hip-Hop vibe, but really is more in line with the Alternative Rock sound of the late 90s or early 2000’s.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Ronnie Rage - MazeRunner [Music Video Review] November 04, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Rap, Hip-Hop Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Ronnie Rage has the talent to pull off a soulful delivery that is both vulnerable and defiant at the same time. Conveying complex emotions is tough, even if you tackle one, but ‘MazeRunner’ is the rare track that brings a varied nuance that comes through in every listen in a slightly different way. The flow is clean and pure and borders on an RB type groove at times, but still instills a modern Hip-Hop vibe that makes Rage stand out from the crowd. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Karras - Owls - (42BUZZ Remix #1) [Review] October 15, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “Karras drops this track which conveys a nice October vibe both in its lyrical content and the brooding enchanted vibe of the beat and build. The tension is palpable and while this track might feel wrong for a sunny June day it is perfect for establishing those Halloween thoughts. The construction has an old school vibe at times, but overall this one still feels contemporary and timed well for its release.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
CHIBI LoyaltyOverLove - Trap Boo [Review] October 08, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Autotune Rating: 4 out of 5 “The energy of this track caught me straight off, and then the vocal flow came with enough emotion to carry the day once that initial energy settled in. The confidence in the delivery, and the fact he’s clearly having fun dropping this flow makes it a pleasure to listen to. This is one I’ll be adding to several playlists to have at the ready when I need that pick me up groove or to settle in and let the music wash away the day. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
J. Oso - drop [Music Video Review] October 08, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Rap, Trap, Hip-Hop Rating: 4 out of 5 “Bars for days. J. Oso drops this track which eschews a traditional hook, in favor of a steady barrage of hard hitting lines and each one lands and delivers a punch that fits perfectly with the mood and attitude of the writing. The beat production gets out of the way for the most part, but does add an underlying attitude which helps bring out the verve of the flow.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
LibFOREIGN - HUNNIT PROOF [Music Video Review] October 07, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Trap, Rap, Hip-Hop, Autotune Rating: 4 out of 5 “LibFOREIGN delivers ‘HUNNIT PROOF’ with precision and passion — a combination that is not easy to achieve. The flow hits with emotion and meaning, but stays within itself to establish an easy groove that is varied and deliberate. The writing shows confidence as well and comes with a deliberate swagger that sets off the track. I gave the track multiple listens and found new nuances with each go.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Chaii - Get It Done [Music Video Review] September 24, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “Chaii is clearly feeling it on her new track, ‘Get It Done,’ and that confidence is infectious as it hold the listener to this groove. The flow here permeates with attitude and verve and the cadence works well with the sultry purr of her tone. The world is full of bad ass women and this one comes to you straight out of New Zealand.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Karras - Delusional (Jack Lim Mix) [Review] September 24, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “I heard a few different mixes of this same track and this one really spoke to me. The keys helped bring this cut to life for me and tied the smooth groove of the flow together for me in a way the others did not. The strength of the timing and delivery worked well with this arrangement. Definitely a track that establishes a mood and vibe easy to ride with.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
C'Nyle - Just Do It [Music Video Review] September 23, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “Truth is a powerful force in all art, and when you can distill it down into a consumable good you have hit your mark. C’Nyle is able to do just that here on this low key flow that allows the writing to land with every single line. The beat is mellow and that allows the emotion and message to stick without getting covered up or lost. California vibes with a little mix of Louisiana love.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Charlie Curtis-Beard - Anime & Chardonnay ft. Akintoye [Review] September 23, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “This collaboration between LA based Charlie Curtis-Beard and Akintoye, is a Tik Tok forged explosion of fun. ’Anime & Chardonnay’ sets the vibe right from the start, and the party continues from there. Riding an infectious groove and snappy hook the track has only one flaw — it’s too short. Give it a listen and you too can enjoy the ear candy of a raucous good time.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
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