Chríz Gabriel - Drip [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“With ties to London, Brooklyn, and LA, Chríz Gabriel brings a smooth worldliness to his flow that gives his delivery a hook and edge even on a track like ‘Drip’ which on the surface is all about a clean tranquil vibe. Dig in deeper however, and the nuance of the writing adds a dimension than only a man like Gabriel is poised to unleash.

Fresh out of London, Chríz Gabriel is a man on a mission. With a talent birthed through LA culture and Brooklyn block parties, and a sound inspired by artists such as Little Simz, Lecrae and Drakeo the Ruler, Chriz is a melting pot of West coast sounds, catchy hooks, and intricate flows.

There is a hint of freestyle and stream-of-consciousness to the overall flow style, though the production and hook elevates ‘Drip’ to that next level and gives the track the added purpose to make it stand out from the fray. The video gives the viewer a glimpse of Gabriel’s personality and passion.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Jonnie Morris - Squad In Da Field [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Jonnie Morris drops a flow that feels raw and ragged in the best possible ways. The emotion of the writing is present in every word laid down. There is a hint of old school 90’s flavor, but not so much that this track feels dated in anyway. More like a homage with a fresh spin.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Flipfone - OUTLAW [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A banger with a nice bit of funk to the cadence. Lyrically, the track stays fairly basic, but the beat and flow bring the track to life, so the simplicity of the production works well in this case. This is more of a party song to put on and sing along with as you hang with your homies.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Rude GRL + CC - Like Wow [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Punk Rap might not be the genre you were expecting, but it is the genre you are getting here on this track. Coming with a banging attitude and sound, Rude GRL and CC pair up to deliver ‘Like Wow,’ a two fingered salute to intolerance, prejudice and hate. Hard-charged and energetic, this is a track that will fire you up.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Tamara Bubble - I Love Me [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Riding a staccato beat that comes at your like a siren’s call, Tamara Bubble lets the production do much of the work on the track, but her attitude and verve cannot/ will not be denied, and that combination leaves us with an bold, self-affirmative take that I imagine we will be hearing all over Tik Tok in the very near future.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Mo Nicole - Friends [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The escalating tempo hooked me on this track. Coming with a staccato flow infused with attitude, Mo Nicole rides the beat letting her lyrical punches land with precision. After a steady build, the flow backs off which allows the words to carry more emotion as the message sinks in with depth.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

ZillaKami - CHAINS [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“If you like your music with a hard edge, and razor sharp attitude, ZillaKami has the sound you are craving.

’Chains’ is a take no prisoners type of track with a hard guttural delivery, and an industrial sounding guitar that drives the backing and brings out the grittiness of this writing and performance.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Dazy Chain - Cool

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Dazy Chain is feeling ‘Cool’ and you will too when this track is playing in your ears. A nice blend of retro vibe and contemporary flow brings this track to life. The groove and verve of the chorus makes this one just settle down in your bones.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Jordan Baumstark - Fashionably Late [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Jordan Baumstark for sure conjures Mac Miller vibes, but the retro funk and groove to this track ads an old school feeling to the mix as well. This is one of those tracks that feels like something you’ve heard before from your very first listen. Not in an unoriginal copycat or tired sort of way, but in that it just feels comfortable and classic.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Charmaine - WOO! [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Once again, Charmaine’s ain’t messing around. ‘WOO!’ follows Charmaine’s debut single ‘BOLD’ that established the Zimbabwe born artist as one of the top female rappers coming out of Toronto. The single has accumulated over 2 million streams on all platforms and ‘Woo!’ once again captures that confident spirit with an energetic bravado that hooks the listener early on.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Caleborate - Contact (ft. Kota the Friend) [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“The writing and lyrical progression of this track hooked me in and held me for the duration of this smooth groove. Caleborate, along with Kota the Friend, did not add any unnecessary embellishments to this track relying on the truth and strong emotion to bring the words alive. The lyric video allows you to decipher the lyrics in a next level kind of way and this is simply good songwriting delivered in an unassuming manner.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Arlo Maverick - Hashtag (feat. Riwo) [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Stark simple truth — that hits hard!

Arlo Maverick delivers lines and truths that are unfortunately far too true. The imagery of the video is powerful and the gospel like delivery of the chorus adds an emotional depth that really hits home. Strong track and video and the power of the hook hits hard.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Dayway x Mike Jay Take Yo Gang - [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Give a song a hard beat and you can’t help but to like it. Dayway and Mike Jay deliver a song that is full of energy but serious AF. Their latest single ‘Take Yo Gang’ is reassurance of what happens when someone crosses you.”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

JavyDade - Westside Love [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Pure West Coast vibin’!

JavyDade captures a smooth groove, while hitting on many of the aspects that make West Coast living what it is. This is a perfect track to play as you cruise down the PCH, or any place where the sun is shining and the good times are flowing.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Belie Bando - TPE [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“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.’ ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

LiBand - Soulja Mentality [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“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.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Dax - KILLSHOT 3 [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“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.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

LiBand - Talk My Sh*t [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“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.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Tiny Jag - d0nt U (with WTM Scoob) [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“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.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

4L Gang - 'No MakeUp' [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“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.”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)