Lex Leosis - sayso [Music Video Review]

“Hailing from Canada and standing 6’2 Lex Leosis is used to standing out. And now she’s turning Hip-Hop stereotypes u[side down with her deep voice and wild curls. A self-proclaimed recoevering people pleaser, she dedicates ‘sayso’ to others who have went against their gut for the benefit of others. Especially women and queer folks who’ve carried the weight of others, and now must learn to build boundaries and reclaim space for themselves.

Beyond this, the track has a gnarly infectious beat and an undeniable rhythm that will leave you singing along long after the last note has faded.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

BlackDiamond x Compton AV - Who's Next [Music Review]

“BlackDiamond and Compton Av team up to deliver this hard hitting flow. The streets of Fresno shaped BlackDiamond and a thirteen year prison stint further honed who he is today. ‘Who’s Next’ is the kind of track that will resonate for others but comes from the heart and soul of a an artist that is simply spitting his own truths.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

AlumNY - Black Boy [Music Review]

“Alumny unleashes an Reggae influenced Hip-Hop collective with ‘Black Boy.’ Riding the reggae vibes and combining them with an Boom Bap old school delivery the track comes alive thanks to a hard hitting performance and the stellar writing of Dynas and Kil Ripkin. Relevant and banging without being preachy, the track offers social commentary on the trials and tribulations facing black men in this current, jacked-up world. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Estella Dawn - I Like It Rough

“Estella Dawn is back with a provocative and sultry Alt Pop track. ‘I like It Rough’ is bold and direct. It’s the kind of in your face track that might seem one-dimensional but the writing is sharp and their is a definite undercurrent and bite that speaks of more than meets the eye. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Matt Hylom - Donald Glover [Music Review]

“This track is a JAzz influenced Hip-Hop track with chill vibes. Matt Hylom delivers this flow with emotive tranquility you can feel down deep in your soul. My only complaint is I was left craving more. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

I.Deal - Parents Proud [Music Review]

“I.Deal takes a unique tact on the track ‘Parents Proud.’ Hip-Hop is often about counter culture and rebelling against the shackles of the establishment. This track is actually a hard hitting ode to parental support and unrelenting love and support. The skill is that the track still slaps and has an edge of defiance int hat blood is thicker kind of way.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Obed Padilla - Broncos Y Benzes [Music Review]

“Obed Padilla now calls Oceanside home , but this Chicano singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist brings a sound that mixes his Latin roots with a Southern California flair. The sounds of Mexico and Costa Rica are tangible with his new single, ‘Broncos y Benzes,’ and the Latin hip-hop helps the track shine.”

Speaking on this new release, Obed shares; ‘I’m super excited for Broncos N Benzs to be out. I wrote it with Billy Mann and Aftrhrs. We reproduced what we had originally made and it sounds completely different from the OG version. It came out really dope. Everybody who worked on it is super talented and I’m grateful to be in the room with these guys.’”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

M-Dot x Confidence - 24 to 1 [Music Review]

“M-Dot lays down the hard hitting lyrics in a flow that lands with passion and precision. Confidence produced the track with a nod to the old school boom Bap that made Hip Hop what it is today. ‘24 to 1’ defies the trend of catchy hooks and instead leans into the power of verse and a well delivered flow.

Real, honest grit and emotion carry the day on this track. And I am here for it.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Cam Carter - Fake Sunsets [Music Review]

“Cam Carter and Ray K team up on this hypnotic Hip Hop vibe about the fakeness that permeates through not only Southern California but society on the whole.

The beat and build almost mirrors some of the vapid Pop tracks that certainly add to the trendy fakeness of our culture but these artists do a masterful job of toeing the line between highlighting the fakeness and creating a track with bite.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Hypnautic x Grayson Ratliff - Memories [Music Review]

“Hypnautic is one half of the popular hip hop group Top Flite Empire. ‘Memories’ is a lyrical bomb just waiting to explode in your ears and heart. The track definitely is a tweener in terms of genre but that does not diminish the impact of the talent or writing.

A track to feel and complex enough to give you new nuance each new listen.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

JayWood - ASSUMPTIONS [Music Video Review]

“Jay Wood demands your attention with his track ‘ASSUMPTIONS.’ But probably not in the way you imagine. This trippy, almost psychedelic flow is a vibe that doesn’t force your full attention by force like so many Rap tracks but rather is alluring in musical groove kind of way.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Earl Hondo - WHAM I [Music Review]

“Earl Hondo might sound like a spaghetti western villain, but give this track a listen and you’ll discover he’s a killer alright ... A lady killer offering up a groove you can get down to between the sheets, or cruising up the boulevard.

Saddle up and ride the vibe!”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Harry Gray - Passport Baby [Music Review]

“Blurring genre lines, Harry Gray delivers a soulful groove to this Rap flow. Harry pays no mind to mainstream sounds and instead stays true to making music that evokes a spiritual response from himself and his listeners.

”Passport Baby’ is a vibe that carries the listener along like a plane bound for an exotic vacation. Grab a cold drink and kick back, relaxing times are in your future when you settle into this smooth track.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

JAMMY - Rigged! [Review]

“The song has a catchy beat that immediately draws you in. I also like the creative approach taken by JAMMY. He effectively share’s his perspective on political issues and relatable experiences, making the song resonate on a deeper level on political issues as well as things people experience. The song is short but has an impact to whoever is listening.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Rah Cashiano x Band boy x Capo DZ - Gang Activity [Music Review]

“Rah Cashiano teams up with Band boy and Capo DZ to unleash some straight up ‘Gang Activity.’ Old school attitude and swagger harkens to a time when Hip-Hop didn’t shy away from getting in your face, or try to appeal to the masses with Pop sensibilities.

The flow lands the lyrical punches without trying to be more than it needs to be to get the point across.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Chaz Marcus - All The Way Down [Music Review]

“Chaz Marcus incorporates a Tropical Dancehall vibe with a laidback Hip-Hop flow to give us ‘All The Way Down.’ Marcus is a versatile artist with a rich background and his roots in Spanish Harlem are present int he exotic mix that will get you in your feels while you feel compelled to move your hips.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Diamond The body - MVB [Music Review]

“
”Hip Hop has long been about attitude and verve and standing up and out. Diamond the body has embodied all of that with ‘MVB.’ The flow slaps, and the beat adds to the vibe of the track.

This is one of those track that will be divided between the lovers and haters, but I applaud the confidence and the talent so count me as one of the lovers.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

ESG TRE - GOT THE BOMB [Music Review]

“This was my favorite track from ESG TRE’s album, TRIPLE 2 TRE though the entire album hits. ‘GOT THE BOMB’ is an old school style delivery but without feeling dated or too retro. The lyrical build keeps you leaning in and the varied delivery makes damn certain you don’t fall out.

A good, old-school Boom Bap style flow with the nuance to be relevant in today’s Hip-Hop landscape. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

RYN SCOTT - Just Human [Music Video Review]

“RYN SCOTT drops this self-aware flow that should resonate with the masses given we are all ... ‘Just Human.’

The track takes on a subject and view often ignored in the blustery, cocksure world of Hip-Hop and that alone is refreshing. The genuine honesty, and vulnerability give the song grit in a surprising fashion and the spot on timing and impassioned flow sell it all in a way that makes this an easy track to fell as much as you hear.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Red Lotus - THE GAME [Music Review]

“Red Lotus stands and delivers on his new track, ‘The Game.’ There is a Kendrick level intricacy to the message and intent and it gives the song a power that is rare these days, but for this one I;m going to let the artists tell you more.

From Red Lotus ... “This song was inspired by a powerful lesson my father used to share with me before he was tragically murdered: ‘The game ain’t free. Nothing in life is free; even when we gain, we must lose something.’ It’s a lyrical rap track with cypher-like elements, rooted in storytelling—a craft I believe is becoming a lost art in hip-hop. The message emphasizes the sacrifices that come with life’s pursuits, delivered with raw emotion and thought-provoking lyrics. This track is for anyone who values meaningful narratives and the authenticity of classic hip-hop.”

A song to dive in and digest over multiple listens. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger