“We all need a mental health day from time to time, and for anyone that has ever called in sick to work to instead do something a hell of a lot more fun, this Hip-Hop anthem is for you.
’The Call Out’ delivers a funky old-school groove that brings the sick ... as in sick beats and rhymes that will keep you moving while you skip out on work for the day.”
“Coming with a nice combo of Dirty South grit, and smooth West Coast vibe, blueheartkonnie and Trip Carter drop their flows in ‘Girlfriend!!!,’ a track they describe as a ladies night anthem.
Lyrically the track drops hook after hook, and that beat combined with the bars, does a good job of blending an old school sound with a modern production sound.”
“A nice blend of vocals laid over top of a catchy beat, and centered around a nice hook, this track features iDaWill along with Ray Lavender and Gillie Da Kid.
’Let’s Make Up’ is a smooth groove that calls for an end to petty arguing and honors the idea of making up and making love all night. I don’t know if the song alone will be enough to keep from, or get you out of, trouble, but after you’ve soothed those bruises, this is definitely a track to put on and settle in next to your love. ”
Rating: 4 out of 5
“Salsa infused Hip-Hop!
3409 drops this fiery track that will definitely get you up and moving with its dance floor allure and lyrical hook.
’Small Talk’ is a true genre bending track that delivers high energy with a swagger. The Toronto based 4 piece band prides themselves on genre modification, and I can only imagine after hearing this track that their live show must be lit.”
“The lyrical progression and word play of the verses hooked me in more than anything else about this track but there was never a moment where my focus drifted in even the slightest way.
The video and track combine to tell a story that is gripping as well. A full well-rounded project that keeps you leaning in from start to finish. Timely, but not patronizing like so many track coming out today.”
“If you think the West Coast is all sunshine and palm trees you just might be ‘Out Of Bounds.’
In a throwback to the Old School days when the West Coast Rap scene was wild, Pawz One drops a track that is defiant, and if not outright angry, at least outright hostile in the way it challenges perceptions and those trying to front over things they have no clue about. ”
“Ry August drops this heartfelt flow asking for more awareness, or at the very least an honest conversation given all that 2020 has revealed about us as a society.
The flow feels genuine and the track carried me forward keeping me invested and engaged. Bringing a good energy and a catchy hook it delivers on entertainment as well as a timely message and sentiment.”
“Malcolm Eppz drops a nice vocal flow over a beat that manages to both get out of the way, and give the track a bit of gritty edge. The writing is sharp and such that it takes a few listens to truly digest everything that is being put down. There is a bit of a throwback to the sound, but the overall vibe feels contemporary and fresh.”
“Jokaa Deleon drops a bit of the Dirty South sound on you with ‘99 & 2000s Flow.’
There is a hint of that New Orleans bounce to the beat, and the flow comes gritty and hard. Step away from Bourbon Street and capture a bit of the New Orleans beyond the tourists scene with these hard-hitting words of truth. ”
“CHAII is a New Zealander of Persian heritage and that bit of personal history fuses with an energetic Hip-Hop style to bring ‘Lightswitch’ alive in a way perhaps no other artist could. The talent and energy of her flow and performance bring this track to life.
This track is part of a visual trilogy that was inspired by Iran’s Islamic Revolution of 1979, which resulted in countless creative talents, including musicians, actors and artists, relocating to California after their work was banned in their homeland. California remains the biggest Persian music community outside of Iran over forty years later and that community inspired and sparked CHAII’s efforts on this project.”
“If you are looking for a hard hitting bit of ‘Motivation’ to add to your workout playlist ... look no more. Here it is.
C. Henry comes with a steady flow that build and carries you along while prodding and pushing. That piano lead in of the chorus will ramp you up and get you to keep moving forward.”
“Thrills come out with it in such a straight forward fashion here on this single, that it is impossible to look away. Call it verve or boldness or flat out confidence, but the strength of the writing is all the more powerful for the unflinching delivery.
This is a set of lyrics that demands you listen over and over again to pick up all of the thoughts and nuance behind them. ”
“E-Los drops this soulful blend of Hip-Hop and R&B. that just grabs hold of you. The groove is smooth and steady, and the emotion shines through in the performance making the well-written lyrics fell alive. The pace is slow, but that works here because it give you time to feel every word being laid down. ”
“A vivacious track about trying to have a night, and survive the drama or trouble while doing it. Get in the club, stoke a good buzz up, find a sweet little bit of company for the rest of the night, and get out before trouble finds you.
Sounds like a simply concept, but it ain’t always easy to pull off. The flow here has a nice bit of verve and swagger, and the beat production makes the track come alive. This is both a groove and a mood.”
“This track hooked me with vibe and energy. That Latin beat and verve made the track come alive, and while on my first listen I did not always follow lyrically, the video does offer the chance to dive into the words.
Balancing a nice amount of swagger and attitude, the track comes with an extra bit of punch to go with the infectious tempo. ”
“All Hail ... The Dutchess!
Yeah, you’ve heard tracks calling out the haters before, but the letter Z ain’t the only thing different about The Dutchess’s take on ‘Haterz.’
Straight up flow coming with unflinching confidence delivered with a tone that lands square. The attitude and verve coming out of this Portland rapper are what make her stand out.”
“Right about now we need a good Club Banger that will get you moving and put a smile on your face. Big Dayve ain’t exactly taking us to new worlds, but his track ‘Mary Poppins’ is infectious and the beat production behind it is fire.
I could wax on poetically, but what’s the point when the intent of this song is simply to make you move to the groove, and smile while in denial.
So have some fun, and forget about the stress of the world for a couple minutes by giving this track a listen.”
“The life of an artist is a struggle that the general world doesn’t fully understand or appreciate. The passion of pursuing your dreams and passion, while trying to make a living comes with some tough decision about dreams for practical logic and this flow captures the spirit of that struggle.
A good energy makes the track also fun and entertaining with a lively beat to carry you along. This track was written pre-Covid but the life of musician and other performing artists has only gotten tougher, so please take the passion behind this track and remember to treat the people that provide the soundtracks of our lives right.”
“Powerful! Both in the immediacy of the video, and in the vocal flow that comes straight at you.
Lyrically, the track is strong truth delivered with passion and verve. An old school beat backs the vocal flow and I especially like that retro 70’s flair added into the musical layer. The words and lyrics and overall vibe is contemporary, but the layers add a depth to the history of the systemic racism, generations in the building. The writing and performance is an intelligent thought provoking response and counter statement.”
“Dax is no stranger to LA on Lock, nor has ever been one to hold back or stay quiet. His take on what the world needs, ‘BLACK LIVE MATTER’ is a triumph of hope and truth.
Listen and feel these words. Listen and be part of the solution. Listen and demand more from your self, and from society.
Racism is ugly, music and compassion, and society that does not stand for bigotry are beautiful. Kudos for Dax on spreading beauty and love.”