The Lock In: A Hidden Gem in the Hip-Hop Scene (2015)
If you’re a fan of raw, unfiltered hip-hop with just enough grit to keep your head nodding, The Lock In by Various is worth a spin. Released back in 2015 under Defient and mixed by Joshua Lance, this album feels like that underground party you stumbled into once—chaotic but unforgettable. It’s not perfect, but it doesn’t try to be. And honestly? That’s what makes it stick.
Let’s talk tracks. First up, “Run Wit Us.” This one hits hard right outta the gate. The beat slaps so loud you’d think it was trying to start a fight. The flow switches between artists are smooth as butter, and there’s this one line—can’t even remember who drops it—that goes something like, “We don’t walk; we glide.” Man, I must’ve rewound that part at least five times. It’s cocky without being over-the-top, the kind of confidence you wanna borrow for your next job interview.
Then there’s “Chaos Pt 2,” which lives up to its name. Imagine walking through a crowded subway station during rush hour—that’s this track. Drums crash, voices overlap, and somehow, it all works. There’s no clean-cut hook or polished chorus here, just pure energy spilling out everywhere. You feel like you’re eavesdropping on a conversation between MCs who refuse to let each other finish their sentences. It’s messy, yeah, but also kinda genius.
Other standouts include “No Response” and “Man On The Moon,” though they don’t hit quite as hard as the two above. Still, they add flavor to an already stacked lineup. Tracks like “500Xanz” bring some chill vibes, while “Madd” keeps things aggressive. Honestly, the variety keeps you guessing, which is both a blessing and a curse because sometimes you just want consistency.
Joshua Lance deserves props for stitching this thing together. DJ mixes can make or break projects like these, and he nails it. He lets the music breathe without forcing cohesion where it doesn’t belong. Smart move.
Here’s the kicker: listening to The Lock In feels like flipping through old Polaroids. Each track captures a different mood, a different moment in time. But unlike most albums from 2015, this one hasn’t aged into obscurity. Instead, it’s got this weird charm, like finding a dusty cassette tape in your attic and realizing it still bangs.
So yeah, give The Lock In a shot if you haven’t already. Just don’t expect perfection—it’s more like a snapshot of what happens when talented folks lock themselves in a studio and let creativity run wild. Oh, and fun fact: after my third listen, I started wondering if Joshua Lance secretly moonlights as a mad scientist. How else do you explain how he pulled THIS off?
