Nicki Knightz - Step With Me (ft. JoeJas) [Music Video Review]

Rating: 2.5 out of 5

“The video is simple but works well witht he lyrics and vibe. This track was a mixed bag for me overall. I dig the writing and the passion put into the delivery of these flows, thought he staccato beat and start and stop feel on that side left the build feeling chaotic in a disorganized kind of way for me.

Both Nicki Knightz and JoeJas convey the emotion well in their flow and I admire their talent but this arrangement felt like a bit of mess for me.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Florigineel x Thai Thai x Young Buck - Clowns [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Blunt and in your face! Florigineel, Thai Tahi, and Young Buck unleash a hard edged Rap track with teeth. ‘Clowns’ has some old school, Gangsta Rap sensibilities and some new world grit.

Each flow hits and the lyrical punches jab uppercut, and deliver one knockout blow after another. This is the brand of unflinching Rap you remember and the Rap we all need to hear more of because let’s face it the world is a softer place these days and that’s not always a good thing.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

TaReef KnockOut - My Way Out [Music Review]

Rating: 2 out of 5

“This track offered up a mixed bag of reactions for me. I do like the writing and the low-key beat hits to pair with a nice groove giving a solid emotional balance to the lyrics.

On the other hand, the vocal delivery came off very flat and emotionless for the most part. The hook is delivered with more emotive energy though it does feel overly repetitive and the verses just didn’t have enough passion behind them for this one to catch fire for me personally.

How did TaReef KnockOut’s track ‘My Way Out’ land for you?”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Jasper The Scary Ghost - Let Me Just (Vibe) [Music Review]

Rating: 2 out of 5

“The intro felt more like something out of a 1950s spy movie than it did a hype track for a Hip-Hop song.

The flow has talent and a nice energy, though that beat and backing struck me as an odd choice to pair up with. The writing here did not give me a lot new. so the hook ground me out with its repetition and while I like the passion of these performances, this one never had the lyrical punch to truly get me going.

Let us know if the track hit differently for you.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Quiz - The Conversation [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The world today is full of anger, hate, a and unwarranted entitlement. Quiz takes the road less travelled with the track ‘ The Conversation’ part of an album titled ‘Grateful.’

The album titles comes though in the conversation of this song as Quiz sows good vibes and gratitude. The flow here is one of humanity and healing and it’s time we all turned our focus to such pursuits as we try our best to tune out the hate and dissent so many feed on in these times.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Kidd Dryden - Life We Chose [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Kidd Dryden wrote this track while enduring a rough patch of life, and yet he chose to remain optimistic and focus on the light at the end of the tunnel. The flow is delivered in a low-key straightforward way, but you can feel the earnest hope and vulnerability in the words.

This is a track to listen to alone when you too are struggling and need a reminder that few things are permanent and how we get back up is what usually defines us.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Lil Savage - They Don't Even Know [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Lil Savage wrote this song a week after losing the love of his life to suicide. The emotion and heavy impact of that tragic events can be felt in the heavy brooding build and emotion of the track.

I do wish the vocal side had a touch more vibrancy within the mix but then again, the heavy sadness does come through so perhaps the track is meant to feel subdued. A track with grit, vulnerability, and genuine emotion.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

MINASTA SCRUGE - INTEGRITY [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Minasta Scruge brings an old-school type flow with his track ‘Integrity.’ Clever wordplay marks the lyrical flow and the rhymes play off each other with a simple brilliance that keeps you leaning in eager for the next line. Snoop Dogg joins in to deliver his only brand of cool smooth relaxation. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Let Out The Pressure- Let's Stay Home [Music Video Review]

Rating: 2 out of 5

“The visual aesthetics of this track are definitely a standout, giving off strong homebody vibes that are quite appealing. However, the music itself falls short. The track suffers from off-key deliveries and poor placement of verses, which detract from the overall experience. Despite the strong visuals, the music lacks the polish needed to fully resonate.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Yelawolf - Barn Fire [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“I have a love hate relationship with this track. That steady cadence of the beat gripped me from the first listen though the lyrical flow took me a couple listen to full appreciate.

Yelawolf sounds like a Countryfied Snoop Dogg and his wordplay is ne point though the references are not what you hear in Hip-Hop. That is a good thing but it is a bit jarring upon the first listen. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Viktor Harter - Save Me [Music Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“Viktor Harter hooked me with the writing on this track. The melancholy vibe of the flow works in the same way Biz Markie made it work, though I did crave more energy pushing the flow at times. Still the track has enough emotion to keep me on the hook and eager for the next line. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Ice Meez - Tomorrow [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Ice meez unleashes a track that is personal in nature but also speak to all of us. ‘Tomorrow’ is not promised and it is vital we embrace the present rather than spend all our focus chasing the future. The video for this track is well done and effectively adds to the emotions of the track.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Cxtotheworld - My Story [Music Video review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Cxtotheworld isn’t looking for perfection but progression, and that refrain leads the way on his track ‘My Story.’

The lyrical build is full of confidence but in a very real and genuine way. The hook is catchy but the verses is where the power of this lyrical build lays. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

P.U.R.P. - Jody (Rosita & P.U.R.P. Ft. Akeem Ali) [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“P.U.R.P. joins forces with Rosita and Akeem Ali to give us a heart wrenching tale of a jilted sidepiece. ‘Jody’ turns the trop on its head given this time we are talking side dude rather than side chick. The track has some wry humor and irony as well as genuine grit and emotion lurking there in the irony.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

BP Infinite - Love and War (feat. Eddie Kaine, J.Arr & Bub Rock) [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Producer BO Infinite unleashes ‘Love and War,’ a gritty new single utilizing the vocal talents of emcees Eddie Kaine, J. Arrr, and Bub Rock.

The track hits with a menacing tone and the three emcees doa great job playing off each other. The backing instrumental, matches the energy of the vocal collaborators. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Shrey Panda - The Walk Alone [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Instrumental Hip-Hop at it’s finest! Shrey Panda infuses classical vibes to create tracks that tell a story all on their own.

I am more of a lyric guy so it isn’t often that an instrumental truly captures my attention but Austin, Texas’s Shrey Panda has managed to hook me a few times now so I look forward to hearing more from this talented musician.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Will Tha King- My World [Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“The comparison was Kendrick and J. Cole. However, I think the artist sounds like a chilled Vince Staples. My world taps into a different Hip-Hop conscious instrumental sounds that gives you a little Jazz. Will Tha King is a poetic artist that knows how to arrange words and create chilled vibes.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

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

The Allergies x Dynamite Mc - One Time [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The Allergies and Dynamite Mc team up to give us this smooth retro groove that is a vibe start to finish.

The writing has pop, and the delivery distills the words with passion into a soulful libation that will quench your thirst. ‘One Time’ has a vintage vibe, but avoids feeling reminiscent simply for the sake of nostalgia.

The flow has a tangible feel that feels like settling in for a long conversation with a tried and true friend.”

— 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