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Locksmith Has Already Delivered The Freestyle Of The Year

Locksmith Has Already Delivered The Freestyle Of The Year

Richmond, California's Locksmith is a decorated veteran MC who makes music with substance. He has made songs with Xzibit, KXNG Crooked, Ras Kass, Apathy, and others along the way. However, the East Bay lyricist is also known for being the source of incredible freestyles. Over the last decade and a... Read more
January 19, 2024 Trending Stories, Video
Locksmith Rips 2 Amazing Freestyles. Fat Joe Declares That He May Be The Best (Video)

Locksmith Rips 2 Amazing Freestyles. Fat Joe Declares That He May Be The Best (Video)

Locksmith is regarded as one of the elite MCs in Hip-Hop, especially when it comes to freestyling. As an independent artist, the Richmond, California MC has relied on his keen storytelling abilities and deft wordplay to secure his growing fan base. In his early days, Locksmith's career began as a... Read more
December 4, 2019 Video
Murs Details Making The Iliad Is Dead And The Odyssey Is Over With 9th Wonder (Video)

Murs Details Making The Iliad Is Dead And The Odyssey Is Over With 9th Wonder (Video)

Over the past 15 years, Murs and 9th Wonder have made some of the best collaboration albums between an MC and a producer. These works have become standouts in their respected catalogs. In the mix of both men's careers and personal lives, they carved out time to make The Iliad... Read more
August 10, 2019 Exclusive, Interview, Video
Locksmith Is A Fiercely Independent MC. His Symbolic New Video Shows It

Locksmith Is A Fiercely Independent MC. His Symbolic New Video Shows It

Richmond, California's Locksmith had a busy 2018. He partnered with Mello Music Group's Apollo Brown to release the eight-song project No Question. Later last year, Lock' followed with Ali, a hard-hitting collection of solo songs that features Jedi Mind Tricks' Vinnie Paz, Jarren Benton, and Murs. Notably, in spring of... Read more
June 4, 2019 Video
Locksmith Explains Why He Was Relieved Not To Get A Deal From Dr. Dre (Video)

Locksmith Explains Why He Was Relieved Not To Get A Deal From Dr. Dre (Video)

Locksmith is one of the Bay Area's most prolific MCs. Since the early 2000s, the Richmond, California rapper has laid forth a slew of mixtapes, albums, and freestyles to bolster his catalog and put his expert lyricism on full display. In 2018, Locksmith kept especially busy, releasing full-length Ali, and... Read more
May 20, 2019 Interview, Video
Locksmith & Murs Are Stars Who Shine Brightly By Being True To Themselves

Locksmith & Murs Are Stars Who Shine Brightly By Being True To Themselves

Late last year, Locksmith delivered Ali. It was his fourth solo studio album and one of his more well-rounded efforts. One of the standout tracks on the project was "Stars," featuring Murs, and it told a very interesting and personal story about Richmond, California-born MC and how he's navigated the... Read more
March 11, 2019 Video
Locksmith’s State Of The Rap Union Address Is A Fiery Freestyle

Locksmith’s State Of The Rap Union Address Is A Fiery Freestyle

A month removed from the release of Ali, Locksmith continues to shine a light on his veteran talent. The MC's latest stop finds the Richmond, California native at the helm of DJ Kay Slay's booth, in which the TeamBackPack staple shows off his fierce freestyle skills. Clocking in at just... Read more
January 12, 2019 Video
Locksmith Perfectly Sums Up The State Of Pop Culture In A 2 Minute Verse

Locksmith Perfectly Sums Up The State Of Pop Culture In A 2 Minute Verse

As he gears up for his fourth studio album - Ali - Richmond, California MC Locksmith offers up a teaser with the official video to the aptly dubbed single "Prison." The video finds the former  frontman of group Frontline all by his lonesome in the middle of a tariff, chock... Read more
December 5, 2018 Video
Joell Ortiz, Jon Connor & Locksmith Are Bringing Bars Back To Hip-Hop (Video)

Joell Ortiz, Jon Connor & Locksmith Are Bringing Bars Back To Hip-Hop (Video)

In a time where name-dropping and direct disses are getting all the attention in Hip-Hop, a group of independent MCs is bringing back some old fashioned, cypher-oriented raps with hard punches aimed at no one in particular. The song "Back To The Bars (Intro)" features East Coast spitters MCs Joell... Read more
September 8, 2018 Video
Apollo Brown & Locksmith’s New EP Combines Lyricism With Personal Reflection (Audio)

Apollo Brown & Locksmith’s New EP Combines Lyricism With Personal Reflection (Audio)

Richmond, California native Locksmith has a knack for mixing witty lyrics with a flow that delivers his message with a punch. It serves him well as a battle rapper, but perhaps it's even better when he's constructing a body of music. These attributes are heavily on display in his newest... Read more
June 14, 2018 Audio
Apollo Brown & Locksmith Are Releasing An EP. The 1st Song Leaves No Question It Will Be Dope (Audio)

Apollo Brown & Locksmith Are Releasing An EP. The 1st Song Leaves No Question It Will Be Dope (Audio)

Locksmith has been in the game long enough to go from prodigious street poet to battle MC, to prolific recording artist. Although Lock' is straight out of Richmond, California, his music is not what many might expect from the region. His lyrics do not glorify drugs, sideshows, or violence. Instead,... Read more
May 1, 2018 Audio, Exclusive
This Documentary Portrays Zion I As An Enduring Underground Hip Hop Voice (Video)

This Documentary Portrays Zion I As An Enduring Underground Hip Hop Voice (Video)

Zion I is one of the only Underground Hip-Hop artists who were active in the DIY 1990s and remain so today. Like Talib Kweli, Dilated Peoples, and Atmosphere, and a few others, Oakland, California-based Zion I has stayed the course and remained true to their messages and platform in the... Read more
February 15, 2017 Video
Locksmith Attacks Racist Agendas In An Incredibly Powerful Video

Locksmith Attacks Racist Agendas In An Incredibly Powerful Video

Northern California has always been a bastion of progressive Rap. From The Coup to Souls of Mischief to Locksmith, MCs from the Bay Area have a storied history of incorporating knowledge of self and social consciousness (some of it no doubt inspired by the energy of the Oakland-based Black Panthers)... Read more
February 1, 2017 Video
Here Are The Best Hip-Hop Performances & Videos Of 2016

Here Are The Best Hip-Hop Performances & Videos Of 2016

2016 has been a unique year. With it, Hip-Hop had a lot to say, visually. Poets new and old, independent and well-heeled, used their art to promote awareness, suggest change, and when appropriate, provide distraction. At a time when the music video largely lives online, artists made statements—about themselves, their... Read more
December 13, 2016 Food for Thought
The Symphony 2016 Was Just 1 Of The Truly Amazing Performances & Videos Of The Year

The Symphony 2016 Was Just 1 Of The Truly Amazing Performances & Videos Of The Year

2016 has been a unique year. With it, Hip-Hop had a lot to say, visually. Poets new and old, independent and well-heeled, used their art to promote awareness, suggest change, and when appropriate, provide distraction. At a time when the music video largely lives online, artists made statements—about themselves, their... Read more
December 12, 2016 Video
CyHi The Prynce & Locksmith Combine Their Superpower Skills In One Cypher (Video)

CyHi The Prynce & Locksmith Combine Their Superpower Skills In One Cypher (Video)

In the freestyle Hip-Hop community, CyHi The Prynce and Locksmith are two of the most exciting MCs out. From across the country (Georgia and North California, respectively), both of these fervent lyricists are able to jam substance into their fiery flows. These artists touch upon social issues in a way... Read more
August 15, 2016 Video
The Best Freestyles of 2015 Left Heads Spinning and Microphones Smoking (Video)

The Best Freestyles of 2015 Left Heads Spinning and Microphones Smoking (Video)

In Hip-Hop, there are few things more exciting than watching an MC get on the mic and spit a freestyle. The definition of the word "freestyle" has been fluid over the years. Originally, the term was used to denote any rhyme, written or off the top, that was not about... Read more
December 29, 2015 Video
Locksmith Takes a Few Moments to Reflect on What He’s Learned Thus Far (Video)

Locksmith Takes a Few Moments to Reflect on What He’s Learned Thus Far (Video)

Almost a month ago to the day, Norcal MC Locksmith devastated not one, but two mics in back-to-back freestyles that showcased his skills as an off-the-cuff lyricist. He visited Kay Slay and Sway to promote Lofty Goals, his second studio album that dropped in June, a project which proves his... Read more
July 30, 2015 Video
Locksmith Freestyles So Hard He Scares the Beat Away…And He Has A Message (Videos)

Locksmith Freestyles So Hard He Scares the Beat Away…And He Has A Message (Videos)

Richmond, California's Locksmith, a rapper who established himself early on as a vicious lyricist while partaking in MTV's MC Freestyle Fellowship, has served up not one, but two helpings of nasty freestyling. In celebration of yesterday's release of his Lofty Goals album, he took to the airwaves to remind Heads... Read more
July 1, 2015 Video
GQ & Locksmith Drive Rhymes From The Backseat Of A Lyft (Video)

GQ & Locksmith Drive Rhymes From The Backseat Of A Lyft (Video)

In the latest installment of the increasingly popular "HipHopLyft" series, Bay Area MCs Locksmith and GQ (of Jamla Records) drop conscious gems in freestyle form as they are driven around the streets of San Francisco. The two spitters both represent Team BackPack, a musical conglomerate that is dedicated to connecting... Read more
April 25, 2015 Video
DJ Kay Slay’s New Mixtape Features Big K.R.I.T., Freeway, Styles P, Raekwon & More (Mixtape)

DJ Kay Slay’s New Mixtape Features Big K.R.I.T., Freeway, Styles P, Raekwon & More (Mixtape)

After several hot leaks over the last few months, DJ Kay Slay releases his latest mixtape, The Industry Purge. The project features a host of guest MCs, including, Raekwon, Styles P, Big K.R.I.T., Jon Connor, Freeway, Lil Fame, Young Buck, Sheek Louch, Papoose, Chris Rivers, Locksmith, Troy Ave and more.... Read more
April 8, 2015 Mixes
Locksmith, Jarren Benton & Futuristic Have The Substance & The Style (Video)

Locksmith, Jarren Benton & Futuristic Have The Substance & The Style (Video)

Fresh off of February's "Killin' My Soul" video connect between Jarren Benton and Locksmith (with Hopsin), the pair come back with another tandem. This time, Futuristic joins the foray in "Blinded." The song talks about the distractions—whether social media comment sections, industry pressures, or significant others clawing that challenge focus.... Read more
April 2, 2015 Video
Jarren Benton & Hopsin Welcome Locksmith To Their Lyrical Lair (Video)

Jarren Benton & Hopsin Welcome Locksmith To Their Lyrical Lair (Video)

Jarren Benton's just-released digital EP, Slow Motion is nothing to sleep on. "Killin' My Soul" pairs Jarren with Hopsin, who co-founded the label Benton found success on. The tandem welcomes Northern California's Locksmith to the equation. In the polished visual, all three MCs show that place that they write and... Read more
February 10, 2015 Video
Here Are the Best Freestyles of 2014. Nothing. But. BARS (Video)

Here Are the Best Freestyles of 2014. Nothing. But. BARS (Video)

Contrary to popular belief, a freestyle does not have to be an "off the top" verse, at least according to Big Daddy Kane and Kool Moe Dee, if you take them as credible sources. Says Kool Moe Dee in his book, There's a God on the Mic: "There are two... Read more
December 26, 2014 Featured-homepage, Video
Locksmith Uses an Elaborate Metaphor To Show His Take On Things (Video)

Locksmith Uses an Elaborate Metaphor To Show His Take On Things (Video)

Locksmith's A Thousand Cuts continues to bleed its way into the Hip-Hop stream of consciousness. The Richmond, California MC extends his string of visuals with "Jaded." The highly-autobiographical joint is set in an abandoned, roofless structure, with Lock' telling his story in 360. Given the onetime E-A-Ski (and Ski Beatz)... Read more
September 3, 2014 Fresh, Video
Locksmith Reveals He Is Far From Perfect (Video)

Locksmith Reveals He Is Far From Perfect (Video)

Locksmith is still grinding out the visuals from his most recent album, A Thousand Cuts, and this time unveils another for his self-analyzing single, "Imperfect," featuring Jarell Perry. Locksmith is an artist that seems to shine his brightest when speaking from the heart and many times Lock exposes some of... Read more
July 15, 2014 Fresh, Video
Locksmith Turns The Key And Sets Himself Free (Video)

Locksmith Turns The Key And Sets Himself Free (Video)

Locksmith hits the sun-drenched shores of Southern California and lets his fans take a "peek inside the soul of a loner" in visuals to his latest single featuring Rebecca Noel. The introspective cut falls off of his latest album, A Thousand Cuts, and delves into the trials and tribulations of... Read more
June 24, 2014 Fresh, Video
Locksmith Might Have 2014’s Strongest Freestyle, But Does He Also Have Best Cypher?

Locksmith Might Have 2014’s Strongest Freestyle, But Does He Also Have Best Cypher?

Locksmith is out for titles. Richmond, California's own has a great (but slept-on) album out in A Thousand Cuts. He has one of the year's most jaw-droppingly great freestyles, care of DJ Kay Slay's Streetsweeper Radio spot, and now, care of Team Backpack, Lock' is bidding for top cypher. With... Read more
June 9, 2014 Fresh, Video
Locksmith Waxes The Art Of Storytellin’ In 2014 (Video)

Locksmith Waxes The Art Of Storytellin’ In 2014 (Video)

Locksmith continues his strong 2014 campaign with a brand new music video, "Fuckin' Idols," from his recently released album, A Thousand Cuts. The Richmond, California (word to Master P's In-A-Minute Records imprint of wayback) artist audibly pens his sexually charged story of a man debating a potential affair with a... Read more
June 4, 2014 Fresh, Video
Stop & Listen To Locksmith’s Bars On Willie Lynch, Get Illuminated (Video)

Stop & Listen To Locksmith’s Bars On Willie Lynch, Get Illuminated (Video)

Locksmith may come across as a new artist, however, the Bay Area MC has been grinding for a handful of calendars. Within the bars of "Willie Lynch," Lock' chronicles his journey, as well as his self-identity. You'll hear about his slept-on album with Original Flavor's Ski Beats, and getting passed... Read more
May 12, 2014 Fresh, Video
Here’s Kay Slay’s New Mixtape Featuring Raekwon, Young Buck, ONYX, Jay Rock, Joell Ortiz, Tony Yayo & Many More (Mixtape)

Here’s Kay Slay’s New Mixtape Featuring Raekwon, Young Buck, ONYX, Jay Rock, Joell Ortiz, Tony Yayo & Many More (Mixtape)

DJ Kay Slay has released his new mixtape, The Last Hip Hop Disciple. The project is STACKED with artists of all styles, including Raekwon, Young Buck, ONYX, Jay Rock, Joell Ortiz, Tony Yayo, Papoose, Jon Connor, Memphis Bleek, Sheek Louch, Vado, Gunplay, Trae tha Truth, Saigon, Chi Ali, Locksmith and... Read more
May 8, 2014 Mixes
The Week in Hip-Hop Video (4/26/14) (Video Playlist)

The Week in Hip-Hop Video (4/26/14) (Video Playlist)

This week in Hip-Hop video was fueled by the ultimate "tell 'em why you mad" video from Scarface, a vintage Dave Chappelle throwback and the RZA's response to Raekwon's recent criticisms. It also featured words from Chuck D, dope new videos from Rapsody, Locksmith, Jon Connor, Pharrell, Killer Mike, Schoolboy... Read more
April 26, 2014 Featured-homepage, Playlists, Video
After Ten Thousand Cuts, Locksmith Leaves ‘Em With Who He Is (Video)

After Ten Thousand Cuts, Locksmith Leaves ‘Em With Who He Is (Video)

On his just-released new album Ten Thousand Cuts, Locksmith parts ways with some powerful statements on "Who I Am." He raps about the risks he takes, the consequences he suffers, but much more so, the pain he is overcoming from his background by vocalizing for the voiceless, and putting the... Read more
April 22, 2014 Fresh, Video
To All The Strong Freestyles In 2014, Locksmith’s Latest May Take Your Seat (Video)

To All The Strong Freestyles In 2014, Locksmith’s Latest May Take Your Seat (Video)

From E-40 to Tajai to Del to Brotha Lynch Hung, the Bay area has some amazing lyricists in Hip-Hop history. Locksmith hopes to further that trend. Once a protege of Spice 1/Ice Cube producer E-A-Ski, Locksmith has worked extensively with Ski Beatz and others in a cross-coast movement that puts... Read more
April 15, 2014 Fresh, Video
Need Lyricism? Locksmith Has Got You Covered on House of Games (Video)

Need Lyricism? Locksmith Has Got You Covered on House of Games (Video)

Locksmith is back with complex wordplay and a video that features a collage of scenes from classic movies. Check out House of Games. Related: Locksmith – The Green Box (Mixtape)... Read more
January 22, 2014 Video
Locksmith – The Green Box (Mixtape)

Locksmith – The Green Box (Mixtape)

Here's the 2nd dope mixtape of the day. You can listen to and download all of Locksmith's The Green Box below. Related: Locksmith – Stand It ft Anesha (Video)... Read more
May 7, 2013 Audio, Mixes
Locksmith – Stand It ft Anesha (Video)

Locksmith – Stand It ft Anesha (Video)

Here's Locksmith's video for his smoothed out 9th Wonder-produced track. Check out Stand It featuring Anesha. Related: Locksmith – F*ck Love (Video)... Read more
May 6, 2013 Video
Locksmith – Stand It (Prod. 9th Wonder)

Locksmith – Stand It (Prod. 9th Wonder)

Locksmith is one of those MCs to watch in 2013. Dude has bars and he's saying something. Now, he can add a 9th Wonder beat to his catalog. Check out Stand It. Related: Locksmith – Be Free (Video)... Read more
April 30, 2013 Audio
Locksmith – F*ck Love (Video)

Locksmith – F*ck Love (Video)

Locksmith's new video is just as intense as the title. Check out F*ck Love. Related: Locksmith – Be Free (Video)... Read more
February 15, 2013 Video
Locksmith – Be Free (Video)

Locksmith – Be Free (Video)

Another week, another hot joint from Locksmith. Here's his new video for Be Free. Related: Locksmith – Transitions (Video)... Read more
January 31, 2013 Video
Locksmith – Transitions (Video)

Locksmith – Transitions (Video)

Here's another solid new joint from Locksmith. The Cali spitter links with Carolina's Khrysis and Eric G. Check out the video for Transitions. Related: Locksmith – The Pit (Video)... Read more
January 28, 2013 Video
Locksmith – The Pit (Video)

Locksmith – The Pit (Video)

Here's some more ill wordspit from Locksmith. Check out the video for The Pit. Related: Murs - S-K-I-B-E-A-T-Z ft Locksmith (Video)... Read more
May 8, 2012 Video
Murs – S-K-I-B-E-A-T-Z ft Locksmith (Video)

Murs – S-K-I-B-E-A-T-Z ft Locksmith (Video)

Here's another red hot joint of Murs' Love & Rockets Vol. 1: The Transformation album, one of my favorite albums of the year. Love and Rockets was produced entirely by the legendary Ski Beatz (click here for our playlist of Ski Beatz-produced tracks), and here's the video for the track... Read more
November 8, 2011 Video
Locksmith – Time’s Up (Video)

Locksmith – Time’s Up (Video)

Locksmith's flow is just plain silly. This new video for Time's Up will DEFINITELY leave you wanting more. Check it out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tim5A56jM-s&feature=player_embedded... Read more
July 28, 2011 Video