Mike SB - Ny for the Weekend (Prod. By Shiggy) [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Mike SB wrote this one on a trip to NYC. Among his plans were to reconnect with an ex, but she had a different agenda and in that moment he realized sometimes, you simply have to move on no matter how hard it is.

The trip also allowed Mike SB to be in studio with Shiggy and this track is part of that effort. The vocals are smooth and the lyrics come from a place of genuine reflection and emotion. Both facts shine through in the flow.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Ysdubz - All Match [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Ysdubz drops an up beat track with a steady flow and an engaging beat. ‘All Match’ brings razor sharp lyrics and a uptempo rhythm to keep you on the hook for the duration. The track has an energy behind it that lifts it, and by extension — your own vibe as you listen and get charged by the juice pumping to your ears. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

BYNX - Ride With You [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A straight up Rap love song that comes at you hard and genuine. BYNX has the vocal chops to deliver an old school flow, or to sing a chorus with a touch of tenderness. I appreciate that these lyrics are meaningful and emotional without slipping into an overly sappy or sentimental way.

This is a love song you can play directly to your girl and make her smile, or while riding with your boys and not face ridicule. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Tom. G - Tore Down The Projects [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Gentrification is not an easy topic to put a humorous spin on, but somehow Tom. G accomplished to do so with ‘Tore Down The Projects.’ With rasp to his voice and a fast but not rapid flow, the vocals deliver the catchy hook and wit-sharp lyrics about the way things used to be for a player. The track delivers upbeat energy and a wry spirit that put a smile on my face. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Bstar - Tweety ft. Boosie BadAzz [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The energy of BSTAR and Boosie BadAzz make this southern banger, one you can ride along with.

Detailing the actions of clingy sidepiece who can’t get enough, there is a bit of humor here that we all need about now. The track has that spirit of defiance and attitude that makes it fun. The flow is fast and steady and the lyrics sharp enough to keep you listening close through multiple plays. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Elliott Taylor - Cali (feat. Cut Chemist) [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The vibe here pulls you in and holds you, especially if you are lucky enough to call ‘Cali’ home. The melody and beat have a few surprises, and I dig that old school scratch added in there. The vocals are soft and steady and deliver the message with a clarity that can only be expressed by true belief in what you are saying.

This is a track to sit back and groove to why you smoke and reflect on your California lifestyle.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

GO79MAN - EVO7VE9 [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A chill vibe ushers in GO79MAN’s vocal flow which carries a raspy gravel behind earnest and honest lyrics. There is an energy behind his flow that keeps you leaning forward despite the fact there is not a ton of variation to the delivery. The track’s strength is the vocal talent and obvious conviction behind the message.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Smoke - Out Da Mudd [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Smoke drops the video for his lyrically moving track ‘Out Da Mudd’ off of his solo debut album, RAYSEAN BROWN.

Much like the storytelling power of the single, the imagery portrayed in the video keeps you watching. With a straight up flow style, and writing that builds and puts us in the mindset of another, Smoke unleashes the emotions and consciousness necessary to truly feel a track like this. I was pulled in early and stayed on the hook for the duration. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

King Magnetic & DJ E.REX - "How It All Started (feat. GQ Nothin Pretty)" [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“You gotta expect a track called ‘How It All Got Started’ to deliver an old school vibe, and this one certainly brings that flavor. This is one to play loud and proud as you reminiscent with your boys that you’ve been rolling with for years now.

King Magnetic takes us back to his stomping grounds of Allentown, PA for this nostalgic new video. The single is a collaborative effort produced by New York’s DJ E.REX, with a guest appearance from Mag’s longtime collaborator, GQ Nothin Pretty.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

D. - $9 [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track made me smile and nod in agreement. Bringing a chill flow, that escalates as it goes along, the message is real and truthful and speaks volumes in a wry subtle way.

’$9’ can feel like a fortune to a kid, but in the real world nine dollars isn’t shit, and the narrator here wants to teach a kid that lesson while opening his eyes to a whole lot more.

The vocal flow feels a bit like off the cuff poetry, but there is enough beat and energy to make the track come alive and give it a bit more of a commercial vibe as a result.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Josh Dominguez (feat. T.R.3) - DOUBT [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track brings a couple different vibes and sounds, and all of it works quite well because at the core of the song is solid, meaningful writing that conjures a variety of emotions.

The only thing I was left wanting was more, because at under three minutes the single had room to bring even more punch. The string intro was perfect lead in and the beat blended to usher in the vocal flow with engages me from the get.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

James Curran - Just Breathe [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track brings the energy right from the first of the vocal flow. The imagery of the video takes a bit to develop, but lyrically this single delivers line after line that keeps you on the hook.

Give this one a listen and I guarantee you it will get your head moving to the beat. The various vocals all bring something unique to the mix. The song features Moosh from Moosh & Twist, Aha Gazelle. and of course the talent of James Curran who you can bet you have not heard the last of after this one hits. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

J'Moris - Make It Look Easy [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This is one of those tracks I didn’t want to like at first, because of the almost exasperated vibe to the vocal tone, but something held me to the track and the longer I listened, the deeper invested I became.

The beat and melody are perfect for the flow, and lyrically, the track brings a realness that is hard not to stay hooked on. And that vocal tone that at first felt wrong, mesmerized me and convinced me that the performance was perfect for the emotions behind this single. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

AjGod - Never 2econd [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The beat and backing of ‘Never 2econd’ adds an emotional level to a set of lyrics that hits steady and unrelenting. This combination sets a mood and emotion that would not be possible without the tandem sound. Too many tracks today never consider the impact beat and melody play on delivering the message, but here, those elements bring as big an impact, as the outstanding writing and delivery. The tone is steady with very little variation overall, yet the flow engages with its truth and passion, brought forward by AjGod. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Lil Lyn x Charles Weaver - Crazy [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Weaving two flows together, into one seamless track is not an easy production feat, but ‘Crazy’ manages to do exactly that. The Rap flow does the heavy lyrical work on this track about the love you can’t quite have or give, however the chorus comes by way of an R&B vibe that hits first and is woven throughout the track to add another layer to the emotions of the single. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Jeda N & Kofi - Forgiato [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Some tracks simply deliver a vibe that is tough to fully explain. ‘Forgiato’ from Jeda N & Kofi is exactly such a track.

The beat and rhythm are alluring and engaging and the tone mesmerizing. Lyrically, the track delivers some lines that swing hard, but taking each individual element of this track does not do the entire vibe justice, because together the track is far stronger than any one thread. This is the kind of single that builds within you and stay with your long after the last beat. The kind of track that compels you to play it on repeat.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

CANTRELL - Understand | A COLORS SHOW [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“CANTRELL drops a flow here that brings a chill vibe, and lyrics dripping with truths, straight from his heart. Smooth and tranquil, the vocals are still able to deliver passion and emotion that force you to stay focused in the track. The beat and melody echo the mood, giving the entire track a calm, yet meaningful ride.

The video is straightforward with CANTRELL and a mic, but given the nature of the piece that is the only imagery needed to get the intent of this single out.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Jonathan Shapiro - Diamonds in The Rough [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“This track brings a chill vibe offering uplifting lyrics. The vibe here is a low-key reminder to us all that we can weather whatever storm is raging in our lives. The vocals are heartfelt and steady in their message. The delivery is not pure perfection, and that works well here, as it only highlights the message that much more than we can get where we want to be without being perfect every step of the way.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

College x HeRo - Dojo [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A chill vibe permeates through this single. The flow has just enough passion behind it to hold your focus, but the biggest strength of this track is the tight lyrical content. Authentic truth fills every line and that elevates the rest of the track. There are no unnecessary embellishments to the production or delivery as College and HeRo straight up deliver this well-written single.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

MDS Bella x Lil Bling - Pull Up [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“MDS Bella captivated me with her aggressive whisper style of rapping. Far too many rappers, of both genders, seem to believe that volume is the key to expressing themselves, but this track proves that passion and strong writing do not need over the top theatrics to get the point across.

Delivering lyrics rooted in her Memphis heritage and speaking her mind about injustice and politics, MDS Bella is a voice to keep tabs on. ‘Pull Up’ is a track to engage your mind and spirit. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)