Ease The Don - Stay Safe [Music Video Review]

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]

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

Alias Molombo x Blahzay Blahzay - Let's Get It [Review]

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

Justus Bennetts - Bad Day [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Justus Bennetts offers up this short, but pointed track that pretty much says everything we’ve all thought when truly pissed off. Eventually we all find that shitty person who does us wrong and this is the track for that moment!

The flow is light and fun despite the dark tone of the words being delivered and that is what makes this track a fun one. So go ahead and save this one back until the next time you need to ‘dedicate’ it to that someone special.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Lil Bean - Mob Ties feat. Jackboy (Prod. Einer Bankz) [Review]

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

Most Wanted - Hood Anime [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Most Wanted offers up this track that simply hits different. The build and progression is a departure from the norm, and the construction here works well thanks to the energy and beat production. I did struggle a times to stay with the lyrical flow, but the groove and energy made it come to life for me despite that fact.

I appreciate the raw talent and willingness to put something out in the world that doesn’t feel derivative of every other track on the radio.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Too Many T's - So Nice [Music Video Review]

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

Viktor Harter - Jerome ft. lunajoep [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“We’ve all known a ‘Jerome,’ though the name might be different — the mindset they bring with them isn’t. The groove here on this track is funky and the beat urges you to nod and move along. This single offers a good balance between old school and new vibes.

This is one of those tracks that simply worms its way into your ears and sticks for a long long time.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Zak North - Kidz Die II [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Every line of this track drips with emotion. The greatest fear of every parent is a health battle for their children, and while this song is directly about that event, there are things to digest here about humanity and the emotions we face even if if you have never stood in those shoes.

This song is sad and yet hopeful at the same time because of this father’s passionate flow. This truly is a track to fell deep down in your gut.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Peachcurls - Senzu Bean [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Peachcurls establishes a mood here with his laidback delivery in stream of conscious kind of flow. The West Coast vibes are are strong on the track, and this is the perfect song for slow rolling under the sun as you glide by rows of palm trees. The writing is stellar and comes with a brazen take on the world that endears the listener to the artist, and makes you nod in agreement as you dig in on this chill flow. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Rich Robbins - It's Not Your Fault [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track truly finds it heart around the :40 second mark, but the writing and passionate delivery of the flow make it engaging right from the start.

Rich Robbins takes on toxic masculinity with this well-written song. The creativity and shifting sounds does conjure up comparisons to Tyler the Creator, but the groove of this track adds a musical vibe that not many track manage to pull off.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Marcey Yates - Shitte Dae [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“It could have been a shitty day, but I won’t let it ... so says the intro and chorus of this track.

Marcey Yates takes an attitude and mindset and pours it into lyrical form here on this track. ‘Shitte Dae’ is a mood, and a groove, and through several listens it held me and kept me leaning in to feel these lyrics and remind myself my own outlook plays an outsized role in what kind of day I’m going to have.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Moemaw Naedon & Calig Kontra - Futura Dystopia [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Moemaw Naedon and Calig Kontra have captured a mood with ‘Future Dystopia.’ Described as a post apocalyptic banger, this track unfurls with procision hitting its mark every step of the way.

The old school flow meshes well with the hard-edged beat and build of the track, making it feel futuristic while maintaining the tones and edge of a foundation too many other artists run from these days. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Dax - Dear Mom [Music Video Review]

“Dax is back with a track that comes with a different vibe than his usual intense flows and messages. Right in time for Mother’s Day, Dax drops this ode to the hard working moms out there who have made a lifetime of sacrifices for the sake of their children while also offering that steady hand of guidance we at times resent be need as we find our own way in the world. This is one to sit back and feel this weekend, and every other day, because we wouldn’t be here without our moms.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Revalation x GoD iLLa x M-Dot - I Been (prod. by L.O.B.) [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Straight up old-school swag, both in the flow, and in the writing. If you are a fan of strong ensembles, ala Wu-Tang then this is a track that will get you bouncing to the beat. The video is straight up fun, and will take you back to the days you and your homies got up to jacking around with the world around you.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Icon South - My Script [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Icon South teams up with Indie Artist, whynotcordell on this melancholic track. “My Script’ utilizes an almost monotone delivery to drive home the emotion and power of the writing. The beat is straightforward, but a perfect match for the vibe of the lyrics. This songs puts that disenfranchised angst we’ve all felt, into a tangible art form.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Matt Nye - Hell of a Guy [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“I might be a day late sharing this one, but hey, 4/20 is way more a way of lifestyle than a date on the calendar. Matt Nye drops this smooth easy flow that bends and curls like the sweetest smoke with its pungent wordplay and mystical beat production. There are Mac Miller vibes to be made, but this one just feels right no matter who you wanna compare the style to. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Brandon Bill$ x DaniLeigh - Unlimited Skills [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Hooks for days. The beat, those lines, the imagery of the video ... all of it works here on this track. Brandon Bill$ and DaniLeigh team up to deliver the track with a nice balance and swagger that brings out the vibes. I did wish the track went a touch longer, as I definitely wanted more when it was over. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Pats x Raptor - What's the Word? [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“What can you do when you ain’t being heard? Pats and Raptor take a bit of old school flow and a bit of Mac Miller influenced sound to answer the very question that plagues many independent artists.

A serpentine like arrangement accompanies the hook and the dup combines to hook you in with a classic Hip-Hop sound. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Chríz Gabriel - Drip [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“With ties to London, Brooklyn, and LA, Chríz Gabriel brings a smooth worldliness to his flow that gives his delivery a hook and edge even on a track like ‘Drip’ which on the surface is all about a clean tranquil vibe. Dig in deeper however, and the nuance of the writing adds a dimension than only a man like Gabriel is poised to unleash.

Fresh out of London, Chríz Gabriel is a man on a mission. With a talent birthed through LA culture and Brooklyn block parties, and a sound inspired by artists such as Little Simz, Lecrae and Drakeo the Ruler, Chriz is a melting pot of West coast sounds, catchy hooks, and intricate flows.

There is a hint of freestyle and stream-of-consciousness to the overall flow style, though the production and hook elevates ‘Drip’ to that next level and gives the track the added purpose to make it stand out from the fray. The video gives the viewer a glimpse of Gabriel’s personality and passion.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)