100 BARS MAGAZINE 009 MAY/JUN 2014 | Page 77

locksmith a thousand cuts Locksmith is an artist who’s definitely earned every step of progress he’s seen. A main stamp for west coast battle rap, over the recent years he’s ventured out to be more though. With numerous appearances over the country, major blog placements and a grind that most independent artists can’t match, Locksmith releases “A Thousand Cuts”! Once play is pressed, Lock grabs his audience to let them see how the odds are stacked against him. He speaks of his child birth on “Who I Am” with lines like “When I was born my mother was torn crazy/ they nearly gave me away to the wrong lady!!! Doctor said ‘Sorry we didn’t see that coming but there’s no way in the world that he came from a Black Woman’!!! I guess I been fighting since birth.... I barely had life on this Earth.... Already subjected to people and how they judge/ let a fair skin babies resentment was in my Blood”!!! Wow! Lock cuts deep with his point of view! The beat selection on this project is great and brings out the personality and Cali attitude that Locksmith has. The strings impose violently on “They Know” as Lock addresses issues of an aspiring artist going from being in the streets to being in the industry! The Peak record of this project record is undoubtedly “Hardest Song”. The audience gets a sneak peak into rating system the childhood and the subject matter is of a very private nature. Locksmith shows his maturity as an artist and that he’s not afraid to let the people know who he is and where he’s from! He goes in to detail in verse one expressing himself when he says “Well to most folks I was Okay, I was so young, pre first grade, them condoned me alone, it was No Way! But when it over lapped, It left an open gap, Call the Baby sitter, time to go play... & she was young too and it was fun too, get away from her home so she would come through... Into a neighbors house, they had the favorite couch that everybody loved And we would run to... But it was uncool what we succumb to, the shit we did see, becoming numb to! This wasn’t untrue what no one knew, the shit she would do to me NOTHING ELSE COULD UNDO!!! Young & unaware dealing wit the strain, there’s no reason to lie cuause there’s nothing to gain! She told me stripped down, No need to feel ashamed, She brought another child, She said lets play a game!!! My stomachs in a Twist What you expect shit??? I’m barely 5 or 6 , I don’t know what sex is! I’m giving ya the truth so I can set it right! This is the Hardest Song I Could Ever Write”! His vivid imagery defines lyrical perfection!!! A Thousand Cuts has every element needed to connect with a fan base and grow a true following! From story telling, Personal Pain, lyricism & real life drama! Much Props Boy! ****RATING**** •Basura (Weedplate) •Needs Work •It’s Aight •Dope •Undeniable •Needs to Be Signed ✔ 77