Skuzii x Wilke$ - Act Like That [Review] May 29, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Alternative, Contemporary R&B Rating: 4 out of 5 “You ever save a snack or a bit of leftovers in the fridge ... then come for them hungry late at night only to discover someone already ate your food? The betrayal is real, and amplified all the more when the food thief is your significant other. This track is about those emotions and the overall selfish attitude of a disrespectful lover. The writing is humorous, but still emotional and poignant. the way real truths tend to be. The chill flow makes it easy to connect, and I found myself in a musical brand of amen as I nodded along in agreement.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
An-G - BAAQ [Music Video Review] May 29, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Rap Rating: 4 out of 5 “Let the coronation commence! An-G declares herself Queen in this, punch-you-in-the-mouth flow. Proclaiming to the world that she can do whatever the hell she wants, An-G is not shy on bluster be it with your man or otherwise. Brazen, and blazing, she ain’t talking trash, she is talking facts, at least in her mind. Listen and scope out the video to judge for yourself if you think she can back up the swagger.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Harmonee - Don't Bring Me Down [Review] May 29, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious, Commercial Rating: 4 out of 5 “Meshing a Hip-Hop vibe with an Electronic sound, Harmoneee drops ‘Don’t Bring Me Down.’ The production and arrangement keep the track moving forward at a tranquil pace that meanders, but never lags. Lyrically, the track is a positive reaffirmation that tough times, hard times, anxious times — do not have to define you. That you can keep on moving forward and overcome the roadblocks until you get to the other side. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
N-Trigue Da Incredible- Way Out [Music Video Review] May 29, 2020 by Kreadiv Kesh in Music Videos, Rap Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “Everyday is a hustle. For most people their hustle consist of doing what they have to do to survive, They are driven with the ultimate goal of finding a way out. N-Trigue Da Incredible’s new single’ Way Out’ drops a hard beat with a smooth visual of cruising the streets telling the stories of life and the hustle” — Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)
blvkkhvrt. x Flannel Albert - Vuddy! [Review] May 29, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Commercial Rating: 4 out of 5 “Cool and crisp like a bright Summer morning. ‘Vuddy’ delivers a beach vibe just in time to get some sand between your toes. This track is about that one girl that refuses to go quietly. The one that demands to be noticed and will stop at nothing until you do so. The groove here is infectious and the vocals stay in that same lane to keep the good ties going.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Kevin Brown - Shine! [Review] May 25, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious, Commercial Rating: 4 out of 5 “Kevin Brown keeps it positive in the face of haters and fake friends. ‘Shine!’ is about keeping your light on bright, despite a world filled with those trying to push you back into the dark. The production here is lively and energetic, and Brown’s attitude truly does shine through in his vocal flow. This track would make a nice addition to your motivational playlists.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Jaywop - Bill Bellamy [Music Video Review] May 25, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “Sometimes you just need something that sounds and feels different. Sometimes you need to smile and enjoy an offtrack bit of humor. Sometimes you need some Jaywop. None of that is to say that Jaywop is not seriously talented, because it takes true talent to create a track that sounds good and entertains in this way. ’Bill Bellamy’ is as clever as it is goofy and the vocal flow is as engaging as it is fun. Give it a listen to put a smile on your face.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Jameel3DN x Morcia Monique - Friends [Review] May 22, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “The flow here falls somewhere between stream of conscious and a spoken word freestyle. Either way, the truth comes across and the vibe is heartfelt emotion. A man trying to be who is without shame or hiding in a world where everyone wants to dictate who you are supposed to be. The backing is soft and delicate and adds a bit of emotion but at the end of this day this is simply a guy telling you how he feels. And he does it with style and class and truth.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Stilljune - Care For Me [Review] May 18, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “The cold hard fact is not enough people in this world care about others. We all get a bit jaded by this fact, and when that person that doesn’t show the love or care for you is someone you love or care about, the pain is all the more acute. Stilljune has tapped into the emotions of these facts with ‘Care For Me,’ a track that brings a steady vocal flow and beat that hits home for most of us.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Infamous Mobb - "Like a Dream" (prod. by Havoc) [Review] May 13, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Hip-Hop, Conscious, Rap Rating: 4 out of 5 “Infamous Mobb is back after a lengthy hiatus to give us a new single. ‘Like a Dream’ comes in with a laid-back, bluesy production from longtime collaborator, Havoc. That bit of grit sets the tone for the Mobb’s Big Twins, Ty Nitty, and Godfather Pt. III to spit their raw, realist bars about life as they know it in Queensbridge. As the first single off their upcoming new album, ‘IM3,’ the track sets the bar high for Infamous Mobb’s return to the scene. The new album will include production from The Alchemist, DJ Muggs, Twiz The Beat Pro, DirtyDiggs, and more. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Brilly Asher - Traumatized [Music Video Review] May 13, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious, Contemporary R&B Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “Brilly Asher drops this honest and unflinching track about the way our behavior hits others. Anytime a talented artist, truly lays bare his soul the result is an engaging song with relevance, because human nature leads us all to make the same mistakes, have the same dreams, share the same fears. The flow here is slow and steady and carries a hint of an R&B vibe. The backing is fairly low-key and stays out of the way for the most part without adding a lot of punch on its own. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Miles Morrison - Go Out (feat. Yo Gotti, Stunna Girl) [Review] May 12, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “Hard beats, and in your face lyrics over a pure party vibe. That is what Miles Morrison gives you with ‘Go Out.’ Course nobody has been allowed to go out for a while now, but imagine the free for all that will come once it is safe to do so. This song’s vibe comes close to the hedonistic urges lurking inside us all right now. There is an old school raunchy side to this and combined with the beat and various vocals it all comes together just like the best of parties.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Joe-Y - Cudi [Music Video Review] May 12, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “Joe-Y offers up a diverse set of vocal sounds and styles on his latest single, ‘Cudi.’ I will admit to being surprised by the level of talent more than once. This Ohio rapper is one to keep an eye on for sure. Lyrically this track is about chasing dreams and perfection while also dealing with the struggles of mental illness and letting the doubts from that come in. The flow ranges from a straight up Hip-Hop vibe, to an almost Reggae like rhythm and tone.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Mike Yorkz - Roaming [Review] May 12, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “The emotion behind the writing is honest and real on this track, and the overall vibe shines through. I did find myself wishing for a bit less production on the vocal side and a more rawness to the vocal flow, but the tone shows clear talent and I was kept on the hook by the genuine feelings behind this track. The chorus avoided the pitfall of reaching for a gimmick and simply let the emotion behind the song play out.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Tireek, Lonely Leonard - Hold On [Music Video Review] May 07, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Rap, Contemporary R&B, Commercial Rating: 4 out of 5 “Sometimes all any of us can do is ‘Hold On’ as we go through tough times. And sometimes you gotta hold on for years to get where you want to be. Tireek and Lonely Leonard team up to give is a glimpse of their coming up through tough times, but finding the love and strength around them to help them hold on. Both flows are honest and engaging, and the beat production feels right for the emotions fueling the track” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Produkt x Rothstien - Supreme Wizards [Review] May 02, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “The writing here delivers authentic emotion and strong imagery. You can taste and feel the grit and scenes described in this track. The flow is steady and deliberate, but there is enough variation to bring home to message. The beat and production gets out of the way for the most part but adds enough layers to the track to help establish the mood and soul of this piece. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Miscellaneous Productions x Natasha Pheko - Refuge [Review] May 02, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Commercial, Contemporary R&B, Rap Rating: 4 out of 5 “I like the energy and spirit of this track, and those elements were what caught my attention first. This single would make a nice addition to your motivational playlists, no matter if you are headed to the gym or trying to rebuild a new life after a detour. The vocals are uplifting and the lyrics, while not complex, convey the message of hope and renewal and strength very well.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
K.I.N.G. the MC - F.E.A.R. [Review] April 30, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “There is a definite poetic feel to the vocal flow on this one, but that fact worked quite well as the writing is superb and the emotional build well worth the ride.Fear has spoiled things for us all at some time and this ode to overcoming these dubious thoughts is uplifting and sobering. The truth of this track offers a strength we all need on occasion. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Len Bowen - The Breaks ft. Katya [Review] April 28, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap Rating: 4 out of 5 “There is a definite old school vibe to this track, but it is not a pure throwback as the evolution of the genre comes through the production as well. Len Bowen’s flow is steady and passionate in a low key kind of way, and Katya offers an engaging backdrop with her sweetly alluring vocal tone. Lyrically, the track is a quiet manifest of sorts. A marking of territory for Bowen almost. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Schmolbowl - Long Flight [Review] April 27, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Soul, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “Schmolbowl drops a tranquil and trippy flow on ‘Long Flight.’ With a rapid delivery and strong writing that overlaps and surprises at every turn, the track has an energy that envelopes you and makes you lean in close to hear what is coming next. The chorus has a nice hook and the track as a whole shows a good range of talent so I can;t wait to see what else comes from Schmolbowl on down the line.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)