“Sometimes I take my role as gatekeeper and music reviewer and try to explain what makes a track work for me, and sometimes I find it best to defer to the artist to explain.
TPE — AKA Tight Pussy Energy, is trap queen anthem with a NY vibe and artist Belie Bando calls the track ‘... an anthem for women as I constantly proclaim Tight Pussy Energy. It reminds men and women that TPE is about being sexy and strong.’ ”
“We recently featured another track from LiBand and that one delivered with unflinching bravado and confidence. This time the flow is a bit more low key, but the unique tone carries the day.
Layed over trap keys and skittering 808s, this flow is more of a steady resolve and mindset than a swaggering boast. In this diversity of styles and sounds, LiBand impresses and verifies he is an artist that is here to stay.”
“Dax never holds back. LA on Lock visitors have seen the tracks we share from this Independent artist who unflinchingly does things his way. With theatrical music videos and a passionate flows that come straight at you Dax always has something to say and he is never afraid to say it.
Here on ‘KILLSHOT 3’ he hits on all of that and more, in what could be construed as a personal anthem on the state of the musical industry and the struggle artists such as himself face.”
“LiBand. Remember the name of this Louisiana rapper. Hailing from the other LA, LiBand delivers his words and flow with brazen confidence and impeccable timing.
The writing is sharp without ever relying on the easy or rpdictable rhyme to deliver his message. No, this track isn’t redefining the genre, but it is going to entertain and keep you in the groove.”
“Sometimes an artist has enough of that so-called ‘IT’ factor to carry a tune, and that was the case here for me as Tiny Jag conveyed enough passion and attitude to keep me leaning in and listening on a track that did not always do enough to stand out from the fray, arrangement wise.
The talent is unquestioned, and there are some great lines and emotion, but I would have liked to find that one moment to make me truly fall in. That said, the talent and ‘IT’ factored carried me through and I can’t wait to hear more from this artist.”
“You may have never heard of Cuthbert, Ga but you have heard 4L Gang. Since their viral song ‘Tack By The Cat’ , 4L Gang has been delivering music that sticks to anyone who listens. Their new single ‘No Make Up’ isn’t a party song but a song of introduction that you can ride to. As they turn a ‘Basic Bxtch’ into a model, ‘They spin like the Lakers’ because they are winning. From Southwest Georgia viral to Tik Tok viral they are introducing the industry to how talented a group can takeover.”
“Coming straight out with an energetic Rap flow that will make you go ‘Woah,’ TJA and Jay Willy then transcend into an edgy Electro Trap interlude that owes its existence to their love of the Skrillex and Rock Ross track ‘Purple Lambo.’
The track tailed off just a bit for me in the back half, but is still a talented and interesting production that I will add to several of my playlists.”
“Blending a nice bass track, with a Trap cadence and tempo, YNG ONE drops this flow which hooks and holds the listener start to finish. I did crave a bit more as the track is on the shorter side, but this track is a definite banger that will get you up and moving.”
“Being stressed never felt this good. A straight up energetic banger that will make you both smile and nod your head in agreement.
There are plenty of tracks about anxiety that take a more languid approach to the emotion, but this approach has the ability to shake off the stress and get you moving with the beat.”
“Coming with a flow that is backdropped by a soulful groove, Rxtherapper drops ‘I Know.’ The track has an easy rhythm and flow to it, that just sort of wraps around you and pulls you along. The tone and vibe combine to sweep you up and in and the video adds enough to the package to hold your visual interest as well.
This single hits like a conversation with a good friend. ”
“Datta Boy’s new visual plays homage to the movie ‘Friday’. What is the last known visual of the late ‘Tiny Zeus’. ‘Pull Up’ is an example of no talk all actions. Seen throughout the neighbors of LA this West Coast track has interaction and a hard beat because “Real N*****s Don’t Talk They Just Pull Up””
“This song is smooth Hip-Hop. Starting with a vibrant beat Akari’s new single Front X Back is truly something to rock in the car. As he is seen hanging out throughout the city his flow is conscious meets poetic justice.”
“Nipsey has been gone a while now, but he’s certainly not forgotten, and this track conveys the emotions and passion of his fans quite well.
The flow is low key, but the earnest feelings come through loud and clear and you can feel the grief, disillusionment, and anger in every word.”
“Kick it back to 1990 something with this throwback to a Hip-Hop sound that you don’t get much of these days.
Lyrically, the track offers fresh contemporary lines that hit hard at times and offer up wry humor at others. Balt Getty and Chino Xl play off each other and the track packs in a lot in two short minutes. I did find myself wishing the track lasted a bit longer.”
“It’s been a long hard year, and for many we had to find our calm where we could. ‘Atshitshi’ starts as Hip-Hop track that falls into a nice soulful R&B groove and there in the smoke of this Cannabis ballad is a tranquil vibe and flow that unfurls like a nice high.
Add this one to your 420 playlist for those times you want to fire up and chill.”
“It. A simple word that often means nothing, but when it comes to entertainment, having ‘It’ means everything.
Poetik has it.
The IT factor that captivates sand holds you. ‘FAME’ is a track about the contradictions of remaining true to who you are in the face of rising stardom and thanks to Poetik’s calm verve, this single simply works.”
“If you crave honest emotion from your music, Michael Malcom has you covered with ‘Without You.’
Teaming up with his bestfriend, Leems, this Canadian pairing offers a nice tranquil Pop song that is long on simply honesty and the genuineness is what makes the track captivating.”
“The truth delivered here in these lines ... Everybody dies, ‘Not Everybody Lives’ ... is a sentiment we have heard before, but K.M. drops this hook amid a lyrical build that feels both passionate and earnest. The flow is steady and deliberate, yet still conveys a heartfelt belief that makes every word land with conviction. It is this, that allows the track to break through and land in a meaningful way.”
“Naya Ali is taking flight with her latest track, ‘Air Ali.’ The track is about taking off for bigger and better experiences and places, but not at the sacrifice of everything that makes you who you are. Ali utilizes a bit of Trap vibe to her flow at times, and falls into a steadier delivery in others, but throughout her unique tone and talent captivates and demands attention. The beat and production are easy to stick with as well.”
“Icon South teams up with fellow Texas artists Neko Savvy & Lil Twist to lay it down on this crazy Zetra & Sham beat.
The beat and progression make it easy to put a little bounce into your sway as you let this track settle down on your shoulders. The unique vocal tones mesh well and leave the track standing out in a time when a lot of tracks sounds exactly the same.”