Ronnie Rage - MazeRunner [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Ronnie Rage has the talent to pull off a soulful delivery that is both vulnerable and defiant at the same time. Conveying complex emotions is tough, even if you tackle one, but ‘MazeRunner’ is the rare track that brings a varied nuance that comes through in every listen in a slightly different way. The flow is clean and pure and borders on an RB type groove at times, but still instills a modern Hip-Hop vibe that makes Rage stand out from the crowd. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Karras - Owls - (42BUZZ Remix #1) [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Karras drops this track which conveys a nice October vibe both in its lyrical content and the brooding enchanted vibe of the beat and build. The tension is palpable and while this track might feel wrong for a sunny June day it is perfect for establishing those Halloween thoughts.

The construction has an old school vibe at times, but overall this one still feels contemporary and timed well for its release.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

CHIBI LoyaltyOverLove - Trap Boo [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The energy of this track caught me straight off, and then the vocal flow came with enough emotion to carry the day once that initial energy settled in. The confidence in the delivery, and the fact he’s clearly having fun dropping this flow makes it a pleasure to listen to.

This is one I’ll be adding to several playlists to have at the ready when I need that pick me up groove or to settle in and let the music wash away the day. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

J. Oso - drop [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Bars for days. J. Oso drops this track which eschews a traditional hook, in favor of a steady barrage of hard hitting lines and each one lands and delivers a punch that fits perfectly with the mood and attitude of the writing. The beat production gets out of the way for the most part, but does add an underlying attitude which helps bring out the verve of the flow.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

LibFOREIGN - HUNNIT PROOF [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“LibFOREIGN delivers ‘HUNNIT PROOF’ with precision and passion — a combination that is not easy to achieve. The flow hits with emotion and meaning, but stays within itself to establish an easy groove that is varied and deliberate.

The writing shows confidence as well and comes with a deliberate swagger that sets off the track. I gave the track multiple listens and found new nuances with each go.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Chaii - Get It Done [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Chaii is clearly feeling it on her new track, ‘Get It Done,’ and that confidence is infectious as it hold the listener to this groove. The flow here permeates with attitude and verve and the cadence works well with the sultry purr of her tone.

The world is full of bad ass women and this one comes to you straight out of New Zealand.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Karras - Delusional (Jack Lim Mix) [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“I heard a few different mixes of this same track and this one really spoke to me. The keys helped bring this cut to life for me and tied the smooth groove of the flow together for me in a way the others did not. The strength of the timing and delivery worked well with this arrangement. Definitely a track that establishes a mood and vibe easy to ride with.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

C'Nyle - Just Do It [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Truth is a powerful force in all art, and when you can distill it down into a consumable good you have hit your mark. C’Nyle is able to do just that here on this low key flow that allows the writing to land with every single line.

The beat is mellow and that allows the emotion and message to stick without getting covered up or lost. California vibes with a little mix of Louisiana love.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Charlie Curtis-Beard - Anime & Chardonnay ft. Akintoye [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This collaboration between LA based Charlie Curtis-Beard and Akintoye, is a Tik Tok forged explosion of fun.

’Anime & Chardonnay’ sets the vibe right from the start, and the party continues from there. Riding an infectious groove and snappy hook the track has only one flaw — it’s too short. Give it a listen and you too can enjoy the ear candy of a raucous good time.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Ghandiii x John$on - Gang With Me [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Ghandiii lays his thoughts and emotions out there with this banging flow and beat. ‘Gang With Me’ stays on the ragged edge and that passion is what hooked me in and kept me leaning in for the entire build. The verve and attitude come with pop and intent and holds the listener for the ride. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

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

Ryan Cassata - Mattress [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Regualr readers of LA on Lock will realize we have featured several tracks from LA artist Ryan Cassata, but this track certainly has a different vibe than those other songs. Cassata is talented and that fact shows in the diverse sounds and styles we have heard, though one constant is the strong writing and this track again offers that.

This track has an Emo Hip-Hop vibe that underscores the Pop sensibilities.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Jboi YBP - Out tha Mud (feat. Jazze Pha) [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The intro to the video really hooked me in, and set of the mood for the flow of this track. The beat production and groove are easy to fall in on and the lyrical flow resonates for anyone that has ever had a hard slog to try and get ‘Out Tha Mud,’ so to speak. The tone of the flow works well with the autotune and production dynamics keeping the listener leaning in and on the hook. ”

— 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

Revalation x GoD iLLa x Mayhem (of EMS) - A Game prod. by Gajos [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Revalation x GoD iLLa x Mayhem (of EMS) bring their “A Game” with their latest single. The single has a hardcore beat with lyrics that not only empower you but push you to accomplish anything that you set out to do. Each verse has a Hip-Hop yet poetic feel that is sure to keep you hyped.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

DxBoY - Lit Again [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“DxBoy makes the most of this Trap beat and flow. ‘Lit Again’ is an ode to escaping lockdown and getting out there in the world alongside people and finding your vibe. The track comes with an easy beat to fall in on the groove and the lyrical flow hooks and holds the listener as well. Short but no so short that the flow doesn’t grab you and make its point. ”

— 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