Othenic x Spencer Schmitt - Ricky Bobby [Review]

“Who is Ricky Bobby? A Nascar character from the movie Talladega Nights.

When you hear Nascar and nights you think fast and exciting right? Well that is exactly what Othenic and Spencer Schmitt gives in their new single Ricky Bobby. Radio friendly, Tik-Tok approved, and mixed and mastered out of his bedroom; this song has a beat that keeps you going. Every flow is dope like the 80s but the two also come on strong allowing their energy to be consistent.”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

THE LAST ALEXANDER - Break Da Safe [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track utilizes the beat and production behind it as well as any music out there. The writing comes with a solid hook, and the vibe is made all the stronger for the way it is unfurled around the beat rather than on top if it. The flow is engaging and the lyrics wryly sharp, making this a track you can easily connect to, and fall in step with. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Covaboy - Second Wind [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Packing a lyrical punch that delivers power and truths of the world we live in, Covaboy’s track, ‘Second Wind’ is the kind of song that sticks with you long after the last note.

Coming with an old school 90’s Rap vibe, the beat and flow are direct and unflinching. The haunting vocal sample frames the piece well and really adds an emotional layer to the track.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Yung Gravy "oops!" - [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Make no mistake Yung Gravy knows what he’s doing at the mic, and he knows what he’s doing with your lady. Don’t be fooled by the ‘Oops’ and mocking tone of his latest track, he ain’t playin’ play. This is aa fun lively track full of wry humor and swag in pure Yung Gravy style. Get on board and have some fun by checking out Yung Gravy’s entire new album, Gasanova, which is out now.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Dex Channels - Last Sunday [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Vulnerable honest is not a vibe that makes its way into the Hip-Hop world as oftena s it should, but at times you find that one track that simply lays it out in such an engaging way you can’t help but fall in. Such is the case with ‘LAst Sunday’ from Dex Channels.

Dex Channels, formerly known as Backstreet Peejay, is a based out of Orlando, FL. After a car wreck left his neck fractured, Channels had a change of heart which resulted in the artist’s rebirth and rebranding. The accident changed the whole pitch of his voice and this left Channels uncomfortable with his new sound for a little while making him adapt to new creative pockets. Hence, he gravitated towards a more limitless identity and sound. He’s a boundless artist who’s brand pushes the listener to be their original self.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Mighty - Turn the Lights On [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“This high-energy hype track feels like the perfect add to your workout playlist. On ‘Turn The Light On,’ Mighty infuses a catchy hook and a nice rising progression to give us this track which feels like something between an infectious dance floor mix and a big bold sports anthem ready for the arena.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

BurrLin-2-Step [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“BurrLin’s new single ‘2-Step’ comes in strong with a suspenseful stomp intro and shows us the sound of a multi-talented man. With a flow like legendary artists Nas and Nipsey, BurrLin is 2-Stepping through the streets of Cali; musically laying out a map of why the West Coast is the best coast.”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

J.R.Clark - AMG Benz [feat. Breana Marin] [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Coming at you with a retro vibe, J.R. Clark conjures thoughts of Jay Z and that classic age of Hip-Hop with a smooth unflinching flow.

’AMG Benz’ also features a soulful R&B groove from Breana Marin and overall is smooth and glassy like a laid back cruise down the boulevard. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Itz Jaleel - PokerTable [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“There is no gamble to adding this track to you playlist. ‘PokerTable’ is a fiery track from Itz Jaleel that comes with a siren-like beat and a steady flow that drops the lines you can’t escape from.

My favorite portions of the track where when the production dropped away and left the flow to land hard and heavy.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

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)