Ice Meez - Tomorrow [Music Video Review] August 04, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “Ice meez unleashes a track that is personal in nature but also speak to all of us. ‘Tomorrow’ is not promised and it is vital we embrace the present rather than spend all our focus chasing the future. The video for this track is well done and effectively adds to the emotions of the track.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Cxtotheworld - My Story [Music Video review] August 03, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “Cxtotheworld isn’t looking for perfection but progression, and that refrain leads the way on his track ‘My Story.’The lyrical build is full of confidence but in a very real and genuine way. The hook is catchy but the verses is where the power of this lyrical build lays. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
P.U.R.P. - Jody (Rosita & P.U.R.P. Ft. Akeem Ali) [Music Review] August 03, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Hip-Hop, Conscious, Rap Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “P.U.R.P. joins forces with Rosita and Akeem Ali to give us a heart wrenching tale of a jilted sidepiece. ‘Jody’ turns the trop on its head given this time we are talking side dude rather than side chick. The track has some wry humor and irony as well as genuine grit and emotion lurking there in the irony.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
BP Infinite - Love and War (feat. Eddie Kaine, J.Arr & Bub Rock) [Music Review] August 03, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “Producer BO Infinite unleashes ‘Love and War,’ a gritty new single utilizing the vocal talents of emcees Eddie Kaine, J. Arrr, and Bub Rock.The track hits with a menacing tone and the three emcees doa great job playing off each other. The backing instrumental, matches the energy of the vocal collaborators. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Shrey Panda - The Walk Alone [Music Review] August 02, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Instrumentals, Music, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “Instrumental Hip-Hop at it’s finest! Shrey Panda infuses classical vibes to create tracks that tell a story all on their own. I am more of a lyric guy so it isn’t often that an instrumental truly captures my attention but Austin, Texas’s Shrey Panda has managed to hook me a few times now so I look forward to hearing more from this talented musician.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Will Tha King- My World [Review] June 26, 2024 by Kreadiv Kesh in Conscious, Hip-Hop Rating: 3 out of 5 “The comparison was Kendrick and J. Cole. However, I think the artist sounds like a chilled Vince Staples. My world taps into a different Hip-Hop conscious instrumental sounds that gives you a little Jazz. Will Tha King is a poetic artist that knows how to arrange words and create chilled vibes.” — Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]
Regan Aliyah - Walkout [Music Review] June 22, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious, Pop Rating: 4 out of 5 “You might know Regan Aliyah from her starring role in Netflix’s “XO Kitty” or from Marvel Studios’ “Ironheart,” but welcome to a new side of the multi-talented star. “Walkout’ is the latest creation from this artist and the infectious Hip-Hop anthem is one you are about t hear a lot more.The track comes in with verve and a old school backing, but then her flow hits and hooks the listener for the entire ride. Attitude, and a hint of sultry vibe come along with the intense delivery and confidence that borders on cocky.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
The Allergies x Dynamite Mc - One Time [Music Video Review] June 22, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Music Videos, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “The Allergies and Dynamite Mc team up to give us this smooth retro groove that is a vibe start to finish. The writing has pop, and the delivery distills the words with passion into a soulful libation that will quench your thirst. ‘One Time’ has a vintage vibe, but avoids feeling reminiscent simply for the sake of nostalgia. The flow has a tangible feel that feels like settling in for a long conversation with a tried and true friend.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Peach3 - Ghostryde It [Music Video Review] June 22, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Trap, Rap, Hip-Hop, Pop Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “Peach3 is the Gen Z version of TLC you didn’t know you needed. Old school Trap Hip-Hip with a bit of Pop sensibility gives this track the Commercial edge to stand out in the marketplace, but it is the verve and attitude that truly separates the trio from everyone else. Either you have it or you don’t and these Atlanta natives clearly do.Lyrically, I did crave more as ‘Ghostrude It’ relies heavily on the hook and bounce to carry the song, but I am eager to see where this trio goes as they establish themselves.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Shrey Panda - Conquest [Music Review] June 17, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Instrumentals, Hip-Hop, Trap Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “A Hip-Hop violinist out of Austin Texas, Shrey Panda is creating a very unique sound. This Instrumental track infuses Hip-Hop sensibilities with Classical music and the talent behind it pours forth like the flow of a dark mysterious river you just can’t turn away from. The track has some harder, almost Industrial tones as it builds and unfurls keeping the listener on the edge of their seat for what will come next.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Potent S.U.B. - Shut Up Bitch [Music Review] June 03, 2024 by Kreadiv Kesh in Rap, Hip-Hop Rating: 3 out of 5 “This has a classic west coast beat to it. It reminds me of Too $hort but also has its on identity. Despite the cursing in every verse especially the hook the song makes you want to break down and dance. It does have a little kick back when the beat drops. The sound makes it seem like there is static or a speaker is broke.” — Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]
Potatohead People X Redman -Last Nite [Review] May 31, 2024 by Kreadiv Kesh in Conscious, Hip-Hop Rating: 3 out of 5 “Its good to hear Redman on the track. This song has a good retro nostalgic Hip-Hop vibe accompanied by a little Jazz. If you ever had a good night and wanted to reminisce this would be a song to trigger those memories.” — Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]
D!V!DENT - YDYAIDM (feat. WESTSIDE BOOGIE) [Music Review] May 25, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Lyrical power and a hard beat lend this track all the punch it needs. D!V!DENT is joined by WESTSIDE BOOGIE on the track and both flows hit with the force of vintage Tyson. ‘YDYAIDM’ is the perfect blend of old school, in your face aggression and smooth Contemporary lyricism.A true banger I needed to experience after starting to think modern Rap was trending too soft. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Nauti x Duke Deuce - CRASH DUMMY MUZIK [Music Review] May 25, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Trap, Rap, Hip-Hop Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “Who would have thought a little bit of Memphis and a whole lot of New Zealand would hook up to establish a smooth groove like ‘CRASH DUMMY MUZICK.’ This is one of those tracks best digested in a cloud of smoke so you can kick back and enjoy the smooth ride. Each listen gave me a new nuance and thought. Simply a vibe!” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Conflixx - LasT LetteR [Music Review] May 25, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Conscious, Hip-Hop, Rap Rating: 2 out of 5 “This track offers good artistic talent and yet it missed reaching its full potential. I liked the tone and the passion that pushed the flow forward and the premise or hook of the track is also rock solid but the elements did not quite combine to land with full force.’LasT LetteR’ certainly owes a nod in style to Eminem, and Conflixx has that same sharp delivery that lands when he is truly feeling it. Though there are times when the delivery felt forced and artificial. However, in the end, it was the writing that just didn’t stick the landing. The rhymes often felt forced, or at least predictable. There were not enough surprises or twists to take this one to the next level for me despite the obvious potential and talent. Give it a listen and let me know in the comments of you agree or disagree, and don’t forget to explain why or why not.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Yung Jewelz - Dirty Diana [Music Review] May 15, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Trap, Hip-Hop Rating: 4 out of 5 “Yung Jewelz brings the straight in your face passion on this track. The Dirty South is front and present on ‘Dirty Diana,’ a trap track with that deep south bounce pushing it forward. The flow hits hard, and the writing cracks open your skull and lets the words pour straight in. A gritty and real, punch directly to the gut!” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
D4WN - Groove [Music Review] May 15, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “The groove here, is exactly what captured me. From that funky beat, to the vocal cadence this one is pure rhythmic groove. Which is no doubt why D4WN titled this one ‘Groove.’ I did find myself craving a touch more vibrancy from the vocal side of the production dynamics, and the few brief quiet interludes were more distraction than addition for me. But man when this one is flowing, it is undeniably smooth and infectious.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Dude It's Nolan - Long Way [Music Review] April 10, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “Dude It’s Nolan utilizes multiple voices to deliver this track, but each one of them hits with passion and precise timing. The beat and production pair perfectly with the intensity of the lyrics. Hard hitting and sharp at every turn, ‘Long Way’ is a song that proves these talented dudes are in fact, only a short way from breaking out in a very big way.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Amp Melo - Hoop Dreamz [Music Review] March 22, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “Amp Melo gives us an old school Boom Bap style track honoring the ‘Hoop Dreamz’ many of us had back in the day. Sadly, reality usually comes knocking on the door for most of us, but that nostalgia, for the time when anything felt possible keeps us all thinking about the what ifs. This track is the soundtrack for that, and the smooth groove makes it a song you can jam to alone or with a group.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Daimo Dunkin - Posies [Music Review] March 20, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Trap, Rap, Hip-Hop Rating: 4 out of 5 “Daimo Dunkin doe a great job of honoring the old school era of Hip-Hop and infusing contemporary emotions and ideas into this hard hitting track. ’Posies’ is a hype track, but not in the traditional sense as it does the job of motivating with low-key grit and resolve rather than through hyper boasts and hard beats. The production behind the flow adds to the grime of determination on the track, and the flow is unrelentless in its emotive power.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger