AUDREY NUNA - damn right [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“AUDREY NUNA brings the verve and talent to ‘damn right’ ... her fresh new satirical track about talking shit.

NUNA said, ‘ I find it amusing when people spend time talking shit about people who don’t even know they exist.’

Talk shit on this rising artist all you want, but it won’t stop her rise. Here the track comes with a nice Rap flow, but is definitely a mixed genre track with R&B and Pop styling all coming to the show. The video is a very literal interpretation of the lyrics. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Adrian Gamboa x Kiara Simone' - How I Need It [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“It hasn’t been easy to party as of late, but Adrian Gamboa isn’t letting that stop him from dropping this up beat track on us in our time of need.

’How I need It’ is pure party in song form. The back and forth flow with Kiara Simone’ a shameless simulation of male/female flirtation as they both try to stake their role in what is sure to be a wild, fun-filled night for both.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

thehomieAve - John Wicc [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Swaggin’ from the get go, thehomieAve drops this hard beat and unflinching flow straight up on you. There is an old school vibe to the boast-filled writing, but this isn’t your father’s brand of school boom bap but closer to the classic Gangsta era. The beat and production deliver a contemporary vibe that matches the attitude of the performance and lyrics.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

J Cru - Blockbuster [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“How many movie and Hollywood references can one set of lyrics roll out? ‘Blockbuster’ by J Cru aims to find out, and they do so with a track that still manages to flow and move forward. The flow is hard and heavy, as is the beat, making this a box office hit for your ears.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Lady Ace Boogie x Steven Malcolm - Free [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Lady Ace Boogie throws it down on ‘Free,’ the lead single of of her new album — That’s All For Now.

The single lands with an infectious hook ... ‘I just wanna be free, I just wanna be me,’ ... and comes with so much confidence and attitude that you realize this is not a request, but an outright demand. The track also features Steven Malcolm with a flow that adds a bit of variation and another vibe to a track already dripping with sauce.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Skinny B - Young Picasso [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The tangibles that make a performance come alive and artists reach that next level are often hard to define, but whatever those qualities are, Skinny B has them in excess.

Born in Portugal, and raised in Austria, Skinny B is a 19 year old rapper with that extra something special behind his flow. ‘Young Picasso’ is a track that simply comes alive thanks to an infectious performance and a wry set of lyrics. The track comes with a nice bounce to the energy making it a perfect banger for the car.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Jaycreux - Violet (Ultra) [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The beat hits first, but Jaycreux wastes no time dropping in with a flow that simply resonates. Comparisons to G-Eazy are inevitable, both in style and tone, though Jaycreux comes here with a harder edge lyrically.

’Violet’ is sneaky smart in that it takes a few listens to hone in on the nuanced writing.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Otis Fonde - Never Let Me Down [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Time to get it with Otis Fonde. ‘Never Let Me Down’ brings the energy straight from the get, and the lyrical flow hits with line after line that delivers punch and verve. Coupled with the energetic production behind the flow, and a splash of 70s Funk to that beat, this is a track that brings it in a way you have no choice but join the ride.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

BREIS - Arise & Shine [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The progression and build of this track swept me up and carried me forward. The cadence at times feels a bit staccato, but the uplifting lyrics and emotive tone makes it all work on ‘Arise & Shine.’

British Nigerian Hip-Hop artists, BREIS conveys his intent here with a clear precise delivery that had me grooving along to the beat and joining in the chorus the second time through. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Spec Kay - 96 [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Spec Kay draw a perfect balance between giving us a club banger and a deep conscious track. That beat comes at you and refuses to hear no, wheres the lyrics unfurl with a sharp lyricism that then gives way with a homage to the past with a nostalgic hook that works in a dark eerie way on the track because of the strength of the verses.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

RICH CAVIAR - 81 [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“I heard a glut of Kobe inspired songs in the immediate aftermath of his untimely death, and while many came with talent, none quite captured the true spirit of the man for me. ‘81’ from Rich Cavier changed that. Dropping on Kobe’s birthday, this track has a stream of conscious style about it, and is artfully done. Every word and beat has has purpose here — from the 81 Kobe references that pay homage to his 81 points scored in a game — to the 8:24 length of the track with honors the numbers worn by Kobe.

Yes it is a long track, but there is content enough to carry it for the duration, and the words all deliver in the clutch. Just like Kobe.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Abyss - The Call Out (prod. by HustleMan Beats) [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“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.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

blueheartkonnie x Trip Carter - Girlfriend!!!

Rating: 4 out of 5

“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.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

iDaWiLL - Let's Make Up Ft. Ray Lavender & Gillie Da Kid [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“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. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

3409 - Small Talk [Review]

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.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

ARSONAL DA REBEL - PRODUCT OF MY ENVIRONMENT [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“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.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Pawz One x DJ Dister - Out Of Bounds [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“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. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Ry August - Little Guy [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“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.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Malcolm Eppz - BEIJING RAYJENE [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“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.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Jokaa Deleon - 99 & 2000s Flow [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“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. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)