Regan Aliyah - Walkout [Music Review]

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

Peach3 - Ghostryde It [Music Video Review]

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

Potent S.U.B. - Shut Up Bitch [Music Review]

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]

D!V!DENT - YDYAIDM (feat. WESTSIDE BOOGIE) [Music Review]

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]

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]

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]

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

Dude It's Nolan - Long Way [Music Review]

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

Dfils - TEMPO [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Riding a sultry beat, Dfils delivers an exotic flow that hooks all on its own. Add in a slithering lyrical arrangement and this deadly build lures the listener in and holds them tot he build. Dfils has that extra bit of verve tos ell it and keept he listener under his trance. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Downupright - We're Doomed, We're Dancing [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“We tend to feature one song at a time here at LA on Lock but every once in awhile a project comes our way that can’t really be broken down into those bite sized bites and still articulate the particular artist’s passion and talent. Downupright has given us such a project with ‘We’re Doomed, We’re Dancing.’

Call this one a Hip-Hop Rave for the end times of you want, but this collection of sixty, on-minute tracks to usher us through to the other side, is more than the sum of its parts. This is a statement and a collection that really digs and and deliver something new and fresh without going to far around the bend. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Mic North- F.Y.U. [Music Video Review]

Rating: 2 out of 5

“The song is decent. It makes you want to go out and have a good time. The only take a way I had was in the end when the artist was talking without much context. I can still see this track being played a few times.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Amp Melo - Hoop Dreamz [Music Review]

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]

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

Sterlen Roberts -Spoil You [Music Video Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“The song has an old Contemporary R&B vibe to it. Sterlen Roberts plans the perfect night to”Spoil You”. The tempo is fast yet steady still creating a romantic rhythm. Around the 1:15 mark there’s a sample of Soulja Boy but the rapping and examples doesn’t take away from the track.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Ice Meez - My Moment [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Ice Meez knows how to sell the emotion and feeling of his well-written lyrics and once again delivers an impactful song for our listening pleasure.

’My Moment’ is a track that delivers truth and hope, without ignoring the difficult realties of this world we all face. The song has grit and genuine emotion, and Meez’s flow is delivered with an emotive power. The chorus adds a smooth groove that breaks that up perfectly to give the track a nice balance.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Bshortt - Sushi At Mikuni [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Bshortt gives us some true Rap fusion on this track. Utilizing a Latin inspired beat and melody, the track ranges from a soulful R&B groove in the quieter moments, to an Old-School rap delivery that gives the listener retro vibes.

’Sushi at Mikuni’ takes the listener for a joyride on the back of a strong and confident flow that both cuts and soothes as it builds. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

StillJune - Moves [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“StillJune gives us an uplifting track of hope in ‘Moves.’ The emotion and writing hit for me on this track, though I did crave more variation to the cadence and vocal arrangement.

That said, the passion in the delivery and strong writing along with the talent made this a track that spoke directly to me.

This is definitely a song you can feel.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

ZIMMx - We Gonn Be Alright [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“ZIMMx will draw some comparisons to Post Malone and while that is an apt place to put this track it would be a disservice to dismiss this track as derivative. The overall sound is original and fresh and the two voices blend and build to make this track soar emotionally. An easy groove to ride and feel makes ‘We Gonn Be Alright’ standout from the fray and I expect this to be a track on the playlist you share with your significant other. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Garrett Zoukis - Senses [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“The writing and premise of this track captivated me from the start. LA rapper Garrett Zoukis delivers this one with a steady low-key flow that did leave me craving an escalation, but still managed to hold my attention and focus despite that rising sense being absent from the track.

’Senses’ is about the way our five senses shape our memories of a person and how any one of them can conjure those memories back to the forefront of our minds. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

UraelB - Dirty Toothbrush [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“There are glossy tracks, songs that hit with energy, and of course those with lyrical hooks that impale the masses. Then there are the songs that eschew the trappings of most popular music and simply give you pure, emotional truth.

UraelB does exactly that with ‘Dirty Toothbrush.’ Some might compare the style to Kendrick Lamar, but there is nothing derivative here on this track. The power comes from tapping into the memories of the soul, and the hope of tomorrow’s dreams. ”

— Travis Erwin ~LA on Lock Blogger