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

Drop Dead Lane - Live your Life [Music Review]

“What would it sound like if Busta Rhymes took on performing some Eminem?

Drop Dead Lane gives us an idea on ‘Live Your Life.’ At least early on the growl and gravel and rapid hard hitting flow had that feel. The track did have a few different vibes and sounds so it stands on its own but that was my initial reaction before the lyrical intensity took over and had me solely focused on this build.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Vocab Slick - Jewelz (feat. Starski) [Music Video Review]

“Vocab Slick teams up with Starski to give an engaging Old School Hop-Hop track and video. The lyrical flow hits bringing a story as well as a strong hook. The video adds to the grit and dynamic and the flow is delivered with that hard hitting verve few Hip-Hop artists let come out these days. This is a track with both grit and genuine flavor that simple feels legit.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Marz Da Hippy x Chadster - Sleeping (feat. chadster) [Music Video Review]

“Marz Da Hippy and Chadster team to give us ‘Sleeping.’

The smooth easy beat and rhythm does indeed instill a calm, sleepy vibe though this track is one you will want to stay awake and alert for.

The track is a vibe an reminder to relax and roll with the punches while being grateful for the things that are going right. We all have a tendency to focus on the bad and that allows the doom to take on an outsized role in our lives. This track is a talented reminded to enjoy the good and weather the bad. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Wombino - Granite [Music Review]

“Wombino has that easy smooth flow that only certain artists can pull off without feeling emotionally flat. In that regard Wombina can be compared to Mac Miller and Kendrick. ‘Granite’ is a rock-solid ltrack full of lyrical power and insight.

The track definitely straddles the line of Hip-Hop and Neo-Soul. A song that will make you think. One that will bring you back to listen multiple times. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Soolie - Grapes [Music Review]

“Soolie reps the Bay area these days after growing up in Ohio. ‘Grapes’ tells his story with great lyricism and a steady unrelenting flow that harkens to another era of Hip-Hop. That said the track is legit and right at home in today’s musical landscape. This is a hard hitting track that lands all the right lyrical punches.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

RYN SCOTT - Moments [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Ryn Scott offers up an sweeping track with ‘Moments.’ You can hear the influence of his native Michigan in the cadence and songwriting. This is part hype track and part reflective warning. We all hav eto take a moment and pay attention this one life we are living and this song is a reminder to do exactly that.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Crhymes - Trouble Maker (ft. Eminem) [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Crhymes enlists the talent of Slim Shady to deliver ‘Trouble Maker.’ Crhymes, is a Latino Rapper hailing from San Diego, California. The a former member of the rap duo the COR and respected freestyler is a frequent collaborator of some of the biggest names in Rap.

This track with Eminem hots hard and takes no prisoners in its fight with the wack MCs of the world. Keep an eye out for his latest project titled, ‘Thuggery: A Near Death Experience,’ which features Snoop Dogg, Bizzy Bone & Layzie Bone to name a few talents. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

PTK LOTHBROOK - SELL THE LAND [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“PTK Lothbrook comes directly at the listener on this track and the in your face beat and delivery catches fire as a result. ‘Sell The Land,’ was written out of the anguish and emotions of a divorce and the lyrical power hits. The flow has some Pop style, though that does not diminish the intricacy and timing of the Rap delivery so the artist did a great job of managing this tricky performance.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Already Legends x Freddy River - Smooth Water River (feat. Sam Tate, SavageSpitFlamez, Squad, L.O.E. BOOG & billy winters) [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“This track’s intro didn’t do much for me, but once that flow hit around the :25 mark I was in and sailing right along.

The smooth delivery of the various flows held me, and the writing had some nice lyrical punches that landed with precision and talent. Already Legends teams with Freddy River and a bunch of other talents to create a nice tranquil Trap track that is as inviting and silky as a cruise down ‘Smooth Water River.’ ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Wisoff - Every 6 Years [Music Review]

Rating: 2 out of 5

“This is a matter of outhinking yourself as an artist. There are great moments to this performance and the premise was rock solid.

The problems were all in the production dynamics and arrangement. Had Wiseoff simply unleashed this track with a steady flow and build I’d have been all in, but the embellishment and add-ons got in the way emotionally for me and left the overall track feeling disjointed and needlessly chaotic. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Lil Primo - STARBURST [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Lil Primo feels anything but lil on this big bold track. ‘Starburst’ has that old school, in-your-face vibe, and Primo infuses that hard flow with fresh linds and a crisp delivery that lands the lyrical punches with skill and precision.

This LA are rapper brings the perfect verve to his flow and the writing hits with grit and emotion.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

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