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ESG TRE - GOT THE BOMB [Music Review]

March 12, 2025 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop
“This was my favorite track from ESG TRE’s album, TRIPLE 2 TRE though the entire album hits. ‘GOT THE BOMB’ is an old school style delivery but without feeling dated or too retro. The lyrical build keeps you leaning in and the varied delivery makes damn certain you don’t fall out.

A good, old-school Boom Bap style flow with the nuance to be relevant in today’s Hip-Hop landscape. ”
— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
March 12, 2025 /Travis Erwin
esgtre, gotthebomb, laonlock
Music, Rap, Hip-Hop
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    RYN SCOTT - Just Human [Music Video Review]

    March 09, 2025 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Hip-Hop, Conscious, Pop, Rap
    “RYN SCOTT drops this self-aware flow that should resonate with the masses given we are all ... ‘Just Human.’

    The track takes on a subject and view often ignored in the blustery, cocksure world of Hip-Hop and that alone is refreshing. The genuine honesty, and vulnerability give the song grit in a surprising fashion and the spot on timing and impassioned flow sell it all in a way that makes this an easy track to fell as much as you hear.”
    — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
    March 09, 2025 /Travis Erwin
    rynscott, justhuman, laonlock
    Music Videos, Hip-Hop, Conscious, Pop, Rap
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      Red Lotus - THE GAME [Music Review]

      March 01, 2025 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious
      “Red Lotus stands and delivers on his new track, ‘The Game.’ There is a Kendrick level intricacy to the message and intent and it gives the song a power that is rare these days, but for this one I;m going to let the artists tell you more.

      From Red Lotus ... “This song was inspired by a powerful lesson my father used to share with me before he was tragically murdered: ‘The game ain’t free. Nothing in life is free; even when we gain, we must lose something.’ It’s a lyrical rap track with cypher-like elements, rooted in storytelling—a craft I believe is becoming a lost art in hip-hop. The message emphasizes the sacrifices that come with life’s pursuits, delivered with raw emotion and thought-provoking lyrics. This track is for anyone who values meaningful narratives and the authenticity of classic hip-hop.”

      A song to dive in and digest over multiple listens. ”
      — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
      March 01, 2025 /Travis Erwin
      redlotus, thegame, laonlock
      Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious
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        Drop Dead Lane - Live your Life [Music Review]

        February 27, 2025 by Travis Erwin in Music, Hip-Hop, Rap, Conscious
        “What would it sound like if Busta Rhymes took on performing some Eminem?

        Drop Dead Lane gives us an idea on ‘Live Your Life.’ At least early on the growl and gravel and rapid hard hitting flow had that feel. The track did have a few different vibes and sounds so it stands on its own but that was my initial reaction before the lyrical intensity took over and had me solely focused on this build.”
        — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
        February 27, 2025 /Travis Erwin
        dropdeadlane, liveyourlife, laonlock
        Music, Hip-Hop, Rap, Conscious
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          Marz Da Hippy x Chadster - Sleeping (feat. chadster) [Music Video Review]

          January 22, 2025 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Trap, Rap, Hip-Hop
          “Marz Da Hippy and Chadster team to give us ‘Sleeping.’

          The smooth easy beat and rhythm does indeed instill a calm, sleepy vibe though this track is one you will want to stay awake and alert for.

          The track is a vibe an reminder to relax and roll with the punches while being grateful for the things that are going right. We all have a tendency to focus on the bad and that allows the doom to take on an outsized role in our lives. This track is a talented reminded to enjoy the good and weather the bad. ”
          — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
          January 22, 2025 /Travis Erwin
          marzdahippy, chadster, sleeping, laonlock
          Music Videos, Trap, Rap, Hip-Hop
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            Soolie - Grapes [Music Review]

            January 06, 2025 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious
            “Soolie reps the Bay area these days after growing up in Ohio. ‘Grapes’ tells his story with great lyricism and a steady unrelenting flow that harkens to another era of Hip-Hop. That said the track is legit and right at home in today’s musical landscape. This is a hard hitting track that lands all the right lyrical punches.”
            — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
            January 06, 2025 /Travis Erwin
            soolie, grapes, laonlock
            Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious
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              Gio - One More Night [Music Review]

              December 30, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Alternative, Rock, Rap

              Rating: 3.5 out of 5

              “What I love about this track is its bold confidence. Gio takes chances with a performance that straddles the line between an Emo Alt Rock vibe and a Rap flow. The lyrical build is well rendered and the emotion comes through in genuine fashion.

              That said this is a track that requires a bit of patience as the speedy delivery makes it tricky in parts to discern the lyrics and stay with the build in that regard. This is definitely one of those track that grows on you and means more with each subsequent listen. ”
              — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
              December 30, 2024 /Travis Erwin
              gio, onemorenight, laonlock
              Music, Alternative, Rock, Rap
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                Crhymes - Trouble Maker (ft. Eminem) [Music Review]

                December 05, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop

                Rating: 4 out of 5

                “Crhymes enlists the talent of Slim Shady to deliver ‘Trouble Maker.’ Crhymes, is a Latino Rapper hailing from San Diego, California. The a former member of the rap duo the COR and respected freestyler is a frequent collaborator of some of the biggest names in Rap.

                This track with Eminem hots hard and takes no prisoners in its fight with the wack MCs of the world. Keep an eye out for his latest project titled, ‘Thuggery: A Near Death Experience,’ which features Snoop Dogg, Bizzy Bone & Layzie Bone to name a few talents. ”
                — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
                December 05, 2024 /Travis Erwin
                crhymes, troublemaker, eminem, laonlock
                Music, Rap, Hip-Hop
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                  PTK LOTHBROOK - SELL THE LAND [Music Review]

                  December 05, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Alternative, Hip-Hop

                  Rating: 4 out of 5

                  “PTK Lothbrook comes directly at the listener on this track and the in your face beat and delivery catches fire as a result. ‘Sell The Land,’ was written out of the anguish and emotions of a divorce and the lyrical power hits. The flow has some Pop style, though that does not diminish the intricacy and timing of the Rap delivery so the artist did a great job of managing this tricky performance.”
                  — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
                  December 05, 2024 /Travis Erwin
                  ptklothbrook, selltheland, laonlock
                  Music, Rap, Alternative, Hip-Hop
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                    Already Legends x Freddy River - Smooth Water River (feat. Sam Tate, SavageSpitFlamez, Squad, L.O.E. BOOG & billy winters) [Music Review]

                    December 02, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Trap, Hip-Hop

                    Rating: 3.5 out of 5

                    “This track’s intro didn’t do much for me, but once that flow hit around the :25 mark I was in and sailing right along.

                    The smooth delivery of the various flows held me, and the writing had some nice lyrical punches that landed with precision and talent. Already Legends teams with Freddy River and a bunch of other talents to create a nice tranquil Trap track that is as inviting and silky as a cruise down ‘Smooth Water River.’ ”
                    — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
                    December 02, 2024 /Travis Erwin
                    alreadylegend, freddyriver, smoothwaterriver, laonlock
                    Music, Rap, Trap, Hip-Hop
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                      Tha Crown - Blessing (feat. Playerrways) [Review]

                      November 26, 2024 by Kreadiv Kesh in Rap

                      Rating: 3 out of 5

                      “This track is a celebration of life’s victories, big and small, with Tha Crown’s gritty verses complementing Playyerways smooth flows, creating a refreshing dynamic. Everyday alive is a blessing! ”
                      — Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]
                      November 26, 2024 /Kreadiv Kesh
                      #LAONlock
                      Rap
                      Comment
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                        Lil Primo - STARBURST [Music Review]

                        November 11, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious

                        Rating: 4.5 out of 5

                        “Lil Primo feels anything but lil on this big bold track. ‘Starburst’ has that old school, in-your-face vibe, and Primo infuses that hard flow with fresh linds and a crisp delivery that lands the lyrical punches with skill and precision.

                        This LA are rapper brings the perfect verve to his flow and the writing hits with grit and emotion.”
                        — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
                        November 11, 2024 /Travis Erwin
                        lilprimo, starburst, laonlock, lareview
                        Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious
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                          Nicki Knightz - Step With Me (ft. JoeJas) [Music Video Review]

                          November 09, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Hip-Hop, Conscious, Rap

                          Rating: 2.5 out of 5

                          “The video is simple but works well witht he lyrics and vibe. This track was a mixed bag for me overall. I dig the writing and the passion put into the delivery of these flows, thought he staccato beat and start and stop feel on that side left the build feeling chaotic in a disorganized kind of way for me.

                          Both Nicki Knightz and JoeJas convey the emotion well in their flow and I admire their talent but this arrangement felt like a bit of mess for me.”
                          — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
                          November 09, 2024 /Travis Erwin
                          nickiknightz, jowjas, stepwithme, laonlock
                          Music Videos, Hip-Hop, Conscious, Rap
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                            Florigineel x Thai Thai x Young Buck - Clowns [Music Review]

                            October 31, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious

                            Rating: 4 out of 5

                            “Blunt and in your face! Florigineel, Thai Tahi, and Young Buck unleash a hard edged Rap track with teeth. ‘Clowns’ has some old school, Gangsta Rap sensibilities and some new world grit.

                            Each flow hits and the lyrical punches jab uppercut, and deliver one knockout blow after another. This is the brand of unflinching Rap you remember and the Rap we all need to hear more of because let’s face it the world is a softer place these days and that’s not always a good thing.”
                            — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
                            October 31, 2024 /Travis Erwin
                            florigineel, thaithai, youngbuck, clowns, laonlock
                            Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious
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                              Joshua Golden - I Can't Wait To Meet You [Music Review]

                              October 31, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Trap, Rap, Pop, Alternative

                              Rating: 4.5 out of 5

                              “Most of us long to find that elusive soulmate, and while waiting, we come up with our ideas and ideals of what that person will be like. Joshua Golden taps into those expectations with his tack, ‘I Can’t Wait To Meet You.’

                              The song straddles that line between Pop and Rap to create a Commercial track that should appeal to a wide audience. The emotion and performance and added snippets of conversation on each end really come together to feel true and genuine.”
                              — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
                              October 31, 2024 /Travis Erwin
                              joshuagolden, ican'twaittomeetyou, laonlock
                              Music, Trap, Rap, Pop, Alternative
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                                JRoberts - What's The Deal (Featuring Ayoo Bigz) [Music Review]

                                October 14, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap

                                Rating: 2 out of 5

                                “This one missed me in a lot of ways. The timing is solid, and I do hear passion in the delivery. That said overall the beat and backing felt melodramatic and the flow had a stilted tone prior to that shift at 1:20. The second flow felt far more authentic for my ears as that delivery hit for me leaving the track with a Jekyll and Hyde contradiction of the two delivery styles.”
                                — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
                                October 14, 2024 /Travis Erwin
                                jroberts, what'sthedeal, ayoobigz, laonlock
                                Music, Rap
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                                  Lil Savage - They Don't Even Know [Music Review]

                                  October 09, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious

                                  Rating: 4 out of 5

                                  “Lil Savage wrote this song a week after losing the love of his life to suicide. The emotion and heavy impact of that tragic events can be felt in the heavy brooding build and emotion of the track.

                                  I do wish the vocal side had a touch more vibrancy within the mix but then again, the heavy sadness does come through so perhaps the track is meant to feel subdued. A track with grit, vulnerability, and genuine emotion.”
                                  — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
                                  October 09, 2024 /Travis Erwin
                                  lilsavage, theydon'tevenknow, laonlock
                                  Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious
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                                    MINASTA SCRUGE - INTEGRITY [Music Review]

                                    October 09, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious

                                    Rating: 4 out of 5

                                    “Minasta Scruge brings an old-school type flow with his track ‘Integrity.’ Clever wordplay marks the lyrical flow and the rhymes play off each other with a simple brilliance that keeps you leaning in eager for the next line. Snoop Dogg joins in to deliver his only brand of cool smooth relaxation. ”
                                    — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
                                    October 09, 2024 /Travis Erwin
                                    minastascruge, integrity, laonlock
                                    Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious
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                                      Ice Meez - What It Do [Music Review]

                                      September 03, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap

                                      Rating: 4 out of 5

                                      “Ice Meez is bringing the West Coast vibes on his latest track, ‘What It Do.” Sharp lyrical punches land with precision and power, and the beat hooks the listener to pull them along.

                                      Ice Meez knows how to create a vibe and he does so here with a skilled expertise. The track does a good job of fitting in the space between old school and contemporary and no matter the era this one simply hits.”
                                      — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
                                      September 03, 2024 /Travis Erwin
                                      icemeez, whatitdo, laonlock
                                      Music, Rap
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                                        Nazzy the Mic - Cheatin [Music Review]

                                        August 23, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap

                                        Rating: 4 out of 5

                                        “Nazzy the Mic is a talented young artis I have been keeping my eyes and ears on for awhile. Here in this track, Nazzy delivers a smooth unconventional love song. The flow is fire and while at times I craved less production to better allow the emotions to come through, the song is too good to let a small thing stop the world from digging in.

                                        ’Cheatin’ is a new twist on side pieces, and it comes from a voice the Rap world could use more of. Nazzy the Mic always delivers solid emotion especially for an artist so young.”
                                        — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
                                        August 23, 2024 /Travis Erwin
                                        nazzythemic, cheatin, laonlock
                                        Music, Rap
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