Dax - Dear Mom [Music Video Review]

“Dax is back with a track that comes with a different vibe than his usual intense flows and messages. Right in time for Mother’s Day, Dax drops this ode to the hard working moms out there who have made a lifetime of sacrifices for the sake of their children while also offering that steady hand of guidance we at times resent be need as we find our own way in the world. This is one to sit back and feel this weekend, and every other day, because we wouldn’t be here without our moms.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Saynt LA - RUBBABANDz [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Yep, yep, yep... you know shit is about to get serious when she reaches for that rubber band, but Saynt LA is dropping more than stacks on this track. There are surprises to be had from the build and delivery, but the flow and energy are pure fire start to finish on his track ‘RUBBABANDz.’

The lines land with a snap, and one listen is not enough to catch all the lyrical pop making this one a fun listen no matter how many times you play it. The Trap cadence and beat give this track a straight-up banger that will pick you up when you are down or fire you up when you’re already teetering on that edge.

Saynt brings that little but of rasp to his delivery, which adds to the punch of this performance and hooks the listener in. The video is well done and the attitude of the single shines through in the imagery quite well.

Don’t sleep on Saynt LA, or this track. ‘RUBBABANDz’ belongs on any playlists that craves energy and that IDGAF verve that is perfect for the club or partying from home. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Revalation x GoD iLLa x M-Dot - I Been (prod. by L.O.B.) [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Straight up old-school swag, both in the flow, and in the writing. If you are a fan of strong ensembles, ala Wu-Tang then this is a track that will get you bouncing to the beat. The video is straight up fun, and will take you back to the days you and your homies got up to jacking around with the world around you.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Icon South - My Script [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Icon South teams up with Indie Artist, whynotcordell on this melancholic track. “My Script’ utilizes an almost monotone delivery to drive home the emotion and power of the writing. The beat is straightforward, but a perfect match for the vibe of the lyrics. This songs puts that disenfranchised angst we’ve all felt, into a tangible art form.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Matt Nye - Hell of a Guy [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“I might be a day late sharing this one, but hey, 4/20 is way more a way of lifestyle than a date on the calendar. Matt Nye drops this smooth easy flow that bends and curls like the sweetest smoke with its pungent wordplay and mystical beat production. There are Mac Miller vibes to be made, but this one just feels right no matter who you wanna compare the style to. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

DaRealFlexx - Deep End (Feat. Vince Knight) [Music Video Review]

Social Media: DaRealFlexx

Rating: 5 out of 5

“Picture rolling in the car and not knowing what the day holds until you get to a party.

”Deep End” is a song you can vibe to with the top down or kick it at the crib.

Coming out of Costa Mesa, California, Da Real Flexx’s delivery is smooth yet energetic and the beat is a classic vibe. We knew this was a hit because his lyrical delivery is straight to the point with no chaser. As you pay close attention to what him and Vince Knight are saying you are sure to have the urge to hit the deep end even if it’s for the weekend. ”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

Heretixx - Stripes [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Smooth West Coast vibes dominate this flow and beat. Heretixx adds a touch of Trap to the mix to give this track a slightly different feel than a lot of West Coast Hip Hop. The flow is mesmerising as it slithers through a nice lyrical build and progression. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Brandon Bill$ x DaniLeigh - Unlimited Skills [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Hooks for days. The beat, those lines, the imagery of the video ... all of it works here on this track. Brandon Bill$ and DaniLeigh team up to deliver the track with a nice balance and swagger that brings out the vibes. I did wish the track went a touch longer, as I definitely wanted more when it was over. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Pats x Raptor - What's the Word? [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“What can you do when you ain’t being heard? Pats and Raptor take a bit of old school flow and a bit of Mac Miller influenced sound to answer the very question that plagues many independent artists.

A serpentine like arrangement accompanies the hook and the dup combines to hook you in with a classic Hip-Hop sound. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

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)