Truent - BIG BAND$ [Music Review] May 19, 2023 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Trap Rating: 4 out of 5 “This is one of those tracks that just sneaks in and takes over forcing the rest of the world to step back for a couple minutes while you bounce with the beat and chant along with the flow. The timing of Truent’s delivery and the hard beat work together to simply make you feel every line and word. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Sammy Adams - Attention [Music Review] May 05, 2023 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap Rating: 4 out of 5 “Sammy Adams has already defied the odds and bounced back from a life threating accident. Such near death experiences can bring out the best in artists and that very well may be the case here. ‘Attention’ is an energic track that will get you moving and feeling good so it is a perfect add to any uplifting playlists. You will be singing along to this track long after the last note has went down.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock BLogger
Cruzz - Going Up [Music Review] May 04, 2023 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “Connecticut might not be the most common place for a Hip Hop artist to merge from, but Cruzz is certainly putting out notice that quality rappers can come from anywhere. His lyrical aptitude and smooth easy delivery combine to create ‘Going Up,’ a track that is all about vibe and confidence. The flow allows the writing to shine, and the arrangement lets the emotions land with a deliberate force that many so-called hard-edged tracks, fail to achieve. Make no mistake this track has punch, it just happens to deliver it with unnecessary bluster or the false bravado that so many other tracks rely on to get their intent across.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Killa Kid - Don't Do That (feat. Dar’Neisha) [Music Review] April 28, 2023 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop Rating: 4 out of 5 “When Killa Kid comes in with his flow the passion, anger, intensity, and confidence all land with a deliberate force to fully impact the listener. The backing vocals set up those emotions well on this track about keeping it real when those who once talked shit and hated on your dream come slithering out once you find success as if they’ve been there by your side all along. ’Don’t Do That’ holds this brand of coward accountable for their BS and the intensity of the delivery will have you feeling it deep inside your chest.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Brody Brown - Eyes On Me [Music Video Review] April 24, 2023 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Rap, Hip-Hop, Autotune Rating: 4 out of 5 “Brody Brown drops this up-tempo track that settles into a melodic groove right from the start. ‘Eyes On Me’ delivers a hypnotic flow and a memorable hook that holds the listener’s attention. The production and video are both clean and tight and match the smooth ride of the song itself. I was left wanting more which is always the earmark of an entertaining and engaging track.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
TFM King P - Ouuuu [Music Review] April 22, 2023 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Trap, Hip-Hop Rating: 4 out of 5 “TFM King P is repping the Midwest with his sound and energy. This St Louis rapper is hitting us with that ‘Ouuuu.’ Inspired by Instagram Influencers on this track, he unleashes this rapid flow with precision and a confident wit that sells the track well. Riding an infectious Trap beat and varying flow the track stays out of the steady staccato cadence that dooms so many Trap tracks to sounding exactly the same. If this track doesn’t get you moving I fear nothing will.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Rah-C - Everybody is Concerned [Music Review] April 19, 2023 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Riding a beat and groove that soars and uplifts all on tis own, Rah-C layers in a passionate energetic flow that sweeps you into the saga that is this track. This is a hype track that will motivate and push you so a perfect add to a workout playlist or any other that you need to get you up and taking on the world. The writing is nuanced enough to give you new takes through multiple listens and keep you intrigued.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Lu Hound - Tinted Eyes [Music Review] April 04, 2023 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap Rating: 4 out of 5 “Lu Hound unleashes a nice balance of passionate ire, and a soulful groove while delivering his track ‘Tinted Eyes.’ The beat and flow blend to form a nice cohesive vibe that engages the listener and forces them to lean all the way in on this build. Hard-hitting writing with an edge is at the heart of this one, and the attitude behind the lyrics is what will bring me back time and time again. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Notcho Aziz - That's Enough [Music Review] April 04, 2023 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “When music is passionate, genuine, and inspired from a talented artists’ view of the world, it doesn’t take a whole lot for their creation to truly come alive. That is the case with ‘That’s Enough’ from Notcho Aziz. You have to turn a blind eye, or truly be ignorant to not see the brutal impact of racism and an all-too-often unjust judicial system in this country. This track is about saying enough is enough. The lyrics, hard-edged flow, and beat convey the outrage quite well on this track of social injustice.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Zeke - Magic [Music Review] March 31, 2023 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “The hook is easy to connect with here, and that is what first sold this track to me. Of course, the timing and vocal talent on the flow work to bring a groove and rhythm to this build that popped off and kept me eager for the next line. Zeke unleashes his brand of ‘Magic’ proving this Georgia rapper is one to keep an eye on for future releases.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Rohan - So Paid [Music Review] March 05, 2023 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Neo-Soul, Autotune Rating: 4 out of 5 “No one ever reaches the top of the mountain without struggling to get there. Rohan uses a smooth and easy delivery on this flow about fighting through the pain to reach to the place you want to be in life. The track utilizes a Rap flow, but also has the groove of a slow and soulful R&B track giving the vibe an added dimension and accessibility to the emotional thread of the lyrical build.” — Travis Erwin @ LA on Lock Blogger
Parris LaVon - WEAK [Music Review] March 05, 2023 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, R&B, Alternative Rating: 4 out of 5 “Parris LaVon shares a bit of vulnerability on this flow, but despite the title of the track he clearly is anything but ‘Weak.’ We all have our problems and roadblocks but persevering and coming out the other side is what defines who and what we are. The beat and rhythm here are smooth and the lyrical flow lands its emotional punches with a raw earnest vibe that feels genuine. A track to listen to over and over again to appreciate the various nuances.Be sure and check out the entire new album, WINTER IV which just dropped this week. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Big Boss Vette - Pretty Girls Walk (Remix) ft. Coi Leray [Music Review] March 05, 2023 by Travis Erwin in Music, Trap, Rap, Hip-Hop, Autotune Rating: 4 out of 5 “Pure Trap attitude sets the track off, and the bounce isn’t just an accessory here, but a full-out active part of the vibe. Big Boss Vette unleashes her chorus in conjunction with the talents of Coi Leray to create a remix that hits with force. Lyrical wit and a strong overall verve amps the mood on a track that is one-hundred percent brass.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock BLogger
Riton - Sugar (feat. Soaky Siren) [Music Video Review] February 28, 2023 by Travis Erwin in Music, EDM, Future Bass, Trap, Rap Rating: 4 out of 5 “GRAMMY winner RITON returns with an energetic dancefloor banger that samples 50 Cents ‘Candy Shop’ and offers the vocal talents of rising Rap star Soaky Siren. The beat is infectious and the ‘Sugar’ oh so sweet on this EDM/Hip-Hop blending vibe. A track sure to get listeners moving and singing along by the first chorus, no matter how you want to categorize this genre being single.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Savage334 - Diamonds [Music Review] February 15, 2023 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap Rating: 4 out of 5 “The intro hit me with Rihanna, ‘We Found Love’ vibes though once Savage334 dropped in with that deliberate and direct flow, the track stood all on its own. Lyrically, the blows land with emotion and grit and the build kept me leaning in for every last word. ’Diamonds’ unleashes its meaning and intent rather with a clear sparkle, though the nuances and inflections make it a track you can listen to over and over again and still discover new emotions along the way. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Frank Dennis - West [Music Review] February 14, 2023 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop Rating: 4 out of 5 “Frank Dennis drops this moody and brooding flow that sets a melancholic tone right from the start. The writing is sharp, and the lines land with a deliberate flow that sights in its targets, and hits the mark with emotional punch. I like the stripped down value as it allows the intent to land unimpeded. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Ricky Davaine - Metamorphosis [Music Video Review] February 10, 2023 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “Ricky Davaine drops this in your face yet melodic groove that tell it like it is. ‘Metamorphosis’ is about recognizing the user and abuser and takers of the worlds and changing to protect yourself and your future. The lyrical flow is dead on and the tone works well for the message being delivered. The track does a good job of straddling a coupe different vibes and gene lines and in doing so creates its own brand of sound. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Nep Jennings - MR [Music Video Review] December 30, 2022 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Trap, Rap, Hip-Hop Rating: 4 out of 5 “The combination of attitude and strong writing sold this track for me. Lines like ... ‘I’d rather be paranoid than comfortable ...’ hooked me in and offered big perspectives in few words and that gave the track a powerful impact. The tone of the flow is quiet confidence and a hard edged take on the world that is certainly warranted and accurate. Nep Jennings is a voice worth hearing with words that need to be said. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
BMB Mann - FWM [Music Review] December 29, 2022 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop Rating: 4 out of 5 “A smooth backing track and a steady flow gives this track a groove that is easy to fall in and connect with. BMB Mann introduces himself with this lyrical flow and the talent shines in not only the emotional strength of the writing, but is also evident in the timing and pace of the delivery. A track that hints of a lot more to come from this talented artist and I can’t wait to hear what’s next.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Ishan - Impact [Review] November 30, 2022 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “With a head nod to the Golden Age of Hip-Hop, Ishan drops his track, ‘Ishan.’ The flow hits steady and hard with just enough variation to bring the lines to life. The writing has punch and the beat hits an Old School vibe through out thought he track still manages to sound contemporary and hard edged. Ishan brings an intensity and passion which keeps the intrigue alive even without a pure, hype style hook.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger