FIFTY VINC x Mr. Goodbarz - Boombox Memories [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“FIFTY VINC and Mr. Goodbarz do a great job of blending the BoomBap roots of Hip-Hop with contemporary vibes to create a track with a solid foundation in the past, but the relevance of today needed to hook new listeners. The bars hit with precision, and that beat brings it all alive. The hook is engaging and the tone just what a track like this needs to catch fire and gain attention with those who might not be as grounded in the history of the genre.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

$cream-Capone - She Telling Me Tap In (feat. Blazo) [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Coming with a hard, in your face beat, $cream-Capone unfurls this sex-charged flow with attitude and verve. The writing is sharp and gets down and dirty completing the sultry edge this one offers. Add this one that to time to get down and nasty playlist. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

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Pierce Elliott - So Good [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Pierce Elliott unfurls this smooth easy groove with talent and precision. The backing is soulful and his flow over the top is just as rhythmic with the exception of a little spoken word interlude in the middle of the track. The intro was a tad long, but did build a vibe for the actual lyrical progression. Old school vibe, though the lyrics still feel right at home in today’s musical landscape.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Kuttem Reese - "TYFNB" + REESE EP [Music Video Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Kuttem Reese is pissed to hit that next level. The Orlando, Florida rapper is a Hip-Hop star on the rise and his new eighteen track album is more fuel on the fire.

This track is about remembering the path and the pitfalls, the haters, the doubter, the struggle it took to climb the ladder. The video adds to the vibes and really dials in the track’s lyrical intent which is delivered with precision and a smooth talent. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

David Davenchy - The Day I Saw You [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“David Davenchy’s track, ‘The Day I Saw You’ hooked me with it’s lyrical realness. The delivery is steady and the tone showcases Davenchy’s talent, though I did crave a touch more energy or passion pushing the flow forward. The writing is true and honest and that is what really shined brightest for me with this track.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Jaydii x Supreme Khay - hot soup [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Jaydii kicks off the first verse on ‘Hot Soup’ before Supreme Khay comes in witht he hook and later verses. THe high-energy track feels like vintage Beastie Boys mixed with some Wu Tang funk and quirk. Both flows are delivered with an engaging tone and verve that refuses to let you off the hook.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Kuttem Reese - "Phone Lights" feat. No Cap [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The connection is toward the end. I was close to declining this but the end caught more attention so I played it back. Kuttem Reese starts out with a nice piano melody to introduce this emotional rap track featuring No Cap. Phone Lights is about the transition of life and its experiences. Sometimes it take life altering moments in order for someone to change their ways. Despite being surrounded by phone lights the pain and memories are still there. The hook is powerful and relatable to a lot of people.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

K Hella - How It Goes [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“K Hella drops this energetic and well-written flow that keeps the listener leaning in to hear what comes next.

The hook is a smooth groove that lands between hip-Hop and R&B and overall this track works on the emotive delivery which makes me believe every last word.

Contemporary Rap done right. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Mattyice1990- Maserati [Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“Mattyice1990 takes his time with this one. He delivers a raw yet emotional track as he takes us through his fight with his demons and his dreams. The soft piano keys aligns with his flow which keeps you listening to his story and understanding his pain. Life keeps throwing things at him which is painful to deal with yet he still has hopes of being successful and getting his Maserati.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

NonSense - The Audacity [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“NonSense caps off a prolific year with his single ‘The Audacity.’ NonSense had this to say about his creation ... “The track is about standing tall atop your mountain despite those who feel they can stand in your way. Being the very best version of YOU and you alone at the behest of naysayers.”

Delivered in an old school Boom Bap style, the lyrical flow hits and the writing comes with a punch. The Carson, California native channels many of his musical heros in this diverse build and sound. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

BeauxX x Cypress Moreno x Big Sad 1900 - I Need That [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Beauxx, Big Sad 1900, and Cypress Moreno drop their third collaboration together, ‘I Need That.’ The track preempts their forthcoming collaborative EP.

Inspired by the West Coast sound this single offers a laidback R&B style groove and of course accentuates the trios various vocal talents.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

PB Mogul x JayceeDai - Ante Up [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Throwback Old school emcee driven hip-hop is a rare animal these days. Here PB Mogul fits the bill along with a hard hitting JayceeDai, who brings the attitude in every word.

Ante Up is an up-tempo, high energy song full of fun and bars exchanged between the two Utica, NY Natives. With a catchy hook and undeniable chemistry, Ante Up is a bonafide banger!

This one hits.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Rally 4 Reality - Jebediah [Music Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“Songs about people, (actual or fictional) can be tricky, but his one works in that it also feels like true tangible history as much as a fictionalized account. The American Dream isn’t the same for everyone and isn’t easy for anyone, and the lyrics here give us a taste of that dynamic.

This track from Rally 4 Reality is a tribute and ode to Robert Jebediah Freeman the Grandad from Adult Swim’s ‘The Boondocks.’”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

KYO! - Ran It All Up [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Some tracks are simply a groove and vibe. ‘Ran It All Up’ from KYO! is such a song. Riding a smooth flow and steady beat KYO! delivers an emotional ode to growing up and taking care of your business no matter the missteps along the way. It is the song of life so to speak, with the ups and downs and the perseverance to keep laying it out there while you chase your goals and dreams.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Jay Dutch x BiiG Dreams - About That Time [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A dose of truth and honesty is always a good idea, and here Jay Dutch delivers exactly that as he lays out the difficult road to success in the music industry, and in a broader sense the world.

Haters gonna hate and doubters gonna doubt, and when given the chance, the hustlers are gonna take what they can from you.

’About That Time’ is about believing in yourself and holding that hard line until you rise above all those looking to drag you down. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Roxy Alice -Strike Me Blind [Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“I was close to declining this track. Mainly because of the mumble rap build up and the lyrics not being clear. However, the more I listened to Roxy Alice the more the vocal tone reminded me of Young Thug. Sometimes it’s not about understanding a song but how good it sounds and the vibes it gives off. “Strike Me Blind” is a song that I can see being played a few times.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Summonte - OOHS & AAHS [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Love is fraught with so many pitfalls and unfortunately cash can be a big one. Falling for a girl outside your means with $ in her eyes can be a frustrating endeavor and Summonte showcases that with this track. ‘OOHS &AAHS’ has an unconventional hook that is more sounds than anything else, but it works and the energy carries the track forward. I found myself moving and singing along to this relatable song.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Lex Ether - No Way [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“A dark foreboding vibe makes this track perfect for spooky season. Lex Ether delivers some sharp writing, and the lines hit with a punch not every performer can deliver.

Though I did crave a bit more variation to help hold my attention, and the sinister laugh in the backing might have been overdone a time or two. Overall this track spoke to me and I have a feeling it is one of those songs that I will grow to love more with multiple listens as the lyrical power settles in my psyche.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Cole Parker - doing too much [Music Review]

Rating: 2.5 out of 5

“I like the word play and tone here, though I did crave more passion driving the flow and pushing it forward. At times, the flow settled into a monotone delivery style that would have better taken off for me had it expressed some nuance and emotion to truly make the track come alive. ‘doing too much’ is one of those tracks that is really close to shining, but just needed a few delivery tweaks to truly catch fire and hit that next level for me.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Moneysignev - Miss Me [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“This chorus is infectious and the beat is made to get sturdy to. Money has so much swagger and charm in his delivery you can’t help but caught in the wave of the record. He makes you believe every word and just handed us the anthem for that in-coming winter break up. This is one of those ones. ”

— Andrew Amoah (LA On Lock Blogger)