Yung Gravy - Steppin On The Beat [Review] September 23, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap Rating: 4 out of 5 “Yung Gravy always brings the verve and energy and ‘Steppin On The Beats’ is no exception. Gravy hits me like a cross of Macklemore, and Timberlake because he has that goofy side yet still manages to come off as cool and engaging in an original way. The beat here grabs and holds you and you can’t help but smile and move along. This track is simply pure fun.” — 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
Ice Meez - Huh [Music Video Review] September 19, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Rap Rating: 4 out of 5 “Simplicity is not a bad thing when done right, but so many artists today go over the top trying to create something new that they lose the message and meaning of their work. Ice Meez avoided that trap and gives us a straight forward, and yes simple, flow while bring his track, ‘Huh,’ to life. But don’t confuse simple for easy or shallow, because Ice Meez packs a lot of emotion into his words and delivery. The video is the perfect patch to his delivery and this Northern Californian artist is one to keep tabs on.” — 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
NOGXNRE x $kaggs WIDE AWAKE [Review] September 14, 2021 by Kreadiv Kesh in Music, Rap Rating: 4 out of 5 “The mix is out of this world which is sure to keep you “Wide Awake” Nogxnre and $kaggs deliver a smooth track that is about finding what relaxes you from whatever you have going on. Even if this was just an instrumental it will still have you vibing to the sky.” — Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]
FCG Heem "Hood Story" - ft. NoCap [Music Video Review] September 14, 2021 by Kreadiv Kesh in Rap, Music Videos, Music Rating: 5 out of 5 “Every hood has a story to tell. FCG Heem starts off with his in his new single “Hood Story” .He takes us down a time line of having to grow up faster than he expected but using his story to build him into the star that he is today. From counting money to counting blessings he speaks on how the biggest struggle and triumph was waking up every morning despite what was going on. He found success and survived.” — Kreadiv Kesh (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
Cuttaman 100Gran - Rich Porter [Review] September 09, 2021 by Kreadiv Kesh in Music, Rap Review: 3.5 out of 5 “Cuttaman 100Gram reminds me of Kevin Gates with his deep and direct vocals that you just can’t stop listening to. His new single “Rich Porter” references his hustle to the late harlemite Rich Porter. Cuttaman speaks on how hard the grind is and everyone wants you but he also keeps a girl next to him with no issue.” — Kreadiv Kesh [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
IAMJYOUNGIN - Choppa [Music Video Review] September 08, 2021 by Kreadiv Kesh in Music Videos, Rap Rating: 5 out of 5 “Choppa” is cutting sound with this hard beat and a strong dominant lyrical delivery. IAMJYOUNGIN new single “Choppa” is about being ready when your enemies come for you. Visually shot in a theatrical house location the video manages to give a stereotypical location symbolism. ” — Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]
DJ Zenas x Ramond - The Spot [Review] September 03, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Autotune Rating: 4 out of 5 “Labor Day brings both party vibes, and a subtle brand of sadness as you realize summer is coming to an end. This track from DJ Zenas captures both of those vibes. ’The Spot’ comes with a groove and rhythm that feels like sipping a cold drink beside a warm pool, but the party is coming to an end and with that limited time this single feels like a Sunday afternoon as another long weeks looms ahead. The dynamics here gives you all the feels.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Lil Donald - Real Nixxa You [Review] August 30, 2021 by Kreadiv Kesh in Rap, Music Rating: 5 out of 5
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
Lasko - Down [Review] August 25, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Autotune Rating: 4 out of 5 “Some tracks are all about the groove and vibe. ‘Down’ is one of those songs that instantly hits you with a mood and rhythm that pulls you easily along. Lasko brings an attitude that feels almost a smirk behind his flow. This leaves the listenr with a feeling not unlike a conversation with a friend giving the flow that ‘it’ factor that is hard to manufacture because it is either there, or it’s not. Lasko has it for sure. Add this fun summer track to your playlists and enjoy the good times.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Club Noir - Reload [Review] August 23, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap Rating: 4 out of 5 “Club Noir is locked and loaded with there new track, ‘Reload.’ The flow is expressive and rhythmic, carrying the listener along for the ride, but it is the strength of the writing and the multifaceted meaning of the words that truly is what elevates this track for me. Taking a simplistic approach to the lyrics, the track could be about reloading to fire more, but it also can be taken more metaphorically to be about gathering yourself up for another run. The no quit mentality makes this a motivational track of a sort and one that needs to be on such playlists.” — 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
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
J. Epps - APF [Music Video Review] August 08, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Rap, Trap Rating: 4 out of 5 “J. Epps reps H-town on this track and if you’ve spent anytime in or around Texas’s biggest city, you will definitely dig on this lyrical flow. This track comes with a no frills flow and beat that is brought to life by Epps’ passion and talent. In other words this one track simply hits with the truth and a genuine realness that is often attempted but rarely created. If you want a bunch of shiny bells and whistles in your production this might not be the single for you, but if you can get down to the bare truth and a genuine flow — then this is one of the realest singles you will find.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger