L.A. Rap Radar

Long Beach rapper Laya Loanz taps in with trapLA and The Priigame to talk about growing up surrounded by music, writing songs at 12, and getting serious about recording around 18. She shares her top three picks from her music, including “Hula Hoop,” “Crashing Out,” and her “Otis” freestyle—then delivers the freestyle a cappella. Plus, she gives her honest reaction to The Priigame’s pear drink. Wat...

Laila V talks Baddies West Auditions, L.A.’s jerk movement and finding her way back to music after becoming a mother. KJ of The Priigame sits down with Laila V for trapLA to discuss her Carson roots, getting started in music in 2009 and helping throw parties during the jerk era. She also talks about her Misfits crew and the mix of hip-hop, R&B and EDM behind her project Expensive. Laila opens...

“I’m no longer an aspiring artist. I am an artist.” South Central L.A.’s Lady4.0 sits down with KJ for trapLA x The Priigame to talk about her first steps in music, finding her confidence, and making a future for her family. At the time of this interview, she said she was about 60 days into her music journey—and already ready to own the title. Lady4.0 breaks down “Go Get It,” describes the drill d...

Kobra J started with choir and piano. Getting into the studio helped him discover what he could do as a rapper—and now he wants to turn that talent into a living while creating opportunities for other artists. In this trapLA interview, the Valley artist breaks down three songs that represent his sound: “Roll Up,” produced by Viper Beats; “Six Speed”; and “Middle Fingers” with YZ, produced by GM Be...

FTG Trap remembers looking around a studio filled with artists like Drakeo, Blueface, and RJ—and realizing he was right where he belonged. Representing East Side Long Beach, FTG Trap sits down with trapLA and The Priigame to discuss For The Gods, his musical range, and the purpose behind his work. The self-described “genre-defining giant” shares his three song picks: “Fuck It Up,” “Swallowed Up,”...

Brooklyn rapper Dre Lord sits down with Luna Marley of trapLA to talk about his journey in music, the differences between New York and Los Angeles, and why he believes independent artists don't necessarily need record labels to succeed. During the conversation, Dre Lord discusses his melodic sound, finding inspiration in L.A., his thoughts on Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar, and why catchy records of...

From neighborhood clubs in Los Angeles to rocking arenas and international stages, DJ Exclusive has built a career behind the turntables! In this exclusive trapLA x The Priigame interview, host KJ sits down with longtime friend DJ Exclusive, the official DJ for West Coast rapper Joe Moses, to talk about his journey through the music industry. DJ Exclusive reflects on over 15 years in the game, fro...

What does it REALLY take to make it in the music industry? This time, trapLA flips the script as hostess GetProps sits down with our very own DJ Crash D , the founder of trapLA, for an exclusive conversation about his journey through music, business, and entrepreneurship. From watching neighborhood DJs create hit records in garages to earning his first major production check and helping build a gr...

From sneaking into her mom’s makeup bag to making her own lip gloss, Ashley of @ashleycosmeticsLA shares how her interest in beauty became a business. Ashley sits down with Pynnd to discuss getting started with a lip gloss maker kit, overcoming fear and judgment, and her goal of building a community that encourages others to chase their dreams. Filmed August 12, 2023, at the trapLA networking even...

Seattle-born model and entrepreneur Mia (@finebyMI) sits down with trapLA Uncut to talk about moving to Los Angeles, navigating the competitive modeling industry, appearing in music videos, and launching her own fashion brand, Fine By Me. In this throwback interview, Mia breaks down how she turned her creativity into business opportunities, the challenges of starting a clothing brand during the pa...

Millions of views on your twerking videos… but nobody streaming your music? DJ Crash D breaks down WHY artists are going viral without building real music careers. In this episode, Big Trap explains the difference between ATTENTION and SUPPORT, why artists attract the wrong audience, and how poor marketing strategies keep talented musicians from converting viral moments into actual streams and fan...

DJ Crash D aka Big Trap breaks down one of the biggest conversations in the music industry right now: artists getting scammed, artists calling everything a scam, and the truth about why so many independent artists lose money chasing shortcuts. In this episode, DJ Crash D gives a real perspective from inside the rap media, promo, and artist development world. He talks about why some artists try to...

LA Rap Radar taps in with Willy Beeman Gomez for a conversation about fashion, creativity, custom one-of-one pieces, and why real design work deserves real money. In this interview, Willy breaks down how he stepped into fashion, why looking good has always been part of the culture, and how his creative path moved from music into custom clothing. He also talks about the legacy of Desto Dub, Calmati...

trapLA caught up with rap artist Slim Rose on the set of her music video shoot for “Mackin Since 1998.” In this quick interview, Slim Rose breaks down the meaning behind the record, calling it a player-cool West Coast song about being born to win. She talks about wanting fans to feel like they’re riding down the 405 or the 110, tapped into that real West Coast energy, having the time of their live...

Luna Vibes caught up with two-time world champion Shawn “Showtime” Porter at the celebrity baseball game for Trap LA — but instead of talking boxing, she put his baseball knowledge to the test. From guessing how many bases are on the field to naming the infield shape, the umpire, the pitcher, and how many innings are in a pro game, Shawn Porter had to survive Luna’s quick baseball quiz on the spot...

Luna Marley of trapLA sits down with Franco Vega at the Team Watson celebrity match to talk about mental health, childhood trauma, foster care, and why sports can be more than just a game for young people who are going through real-life struggles. Franco opens up about how fitness helps relieve stress, how working with kids who have experienced trauma can sometimes reopen his own wounds, and the d...

Cam Carter pulled up to Content & Connect with PoonDaga for LA Rap Radar / trapLA / What’s Hot L.A. and brought a whole Memphis conversation with him. In this interview, Cam talks about being from Memphis, growing up on Three 6 Mafia, Prophet Posse, 8Ball & MJG, and the culture that shaped his sound. But this conversation goes deeper than music. Cam explains why he calls himself an artist...

Knotch pulled up to Content & Connect with PoonDaga, LA Rap Radar, and trapLA for a real conversation about music, comedy, creativity, and surviving through every era of the game. In this interview, Knotch talks about his production and writing credits, working on records connected to New Boyz, Ray J, Chris Brown, Cassie, and more. He also breaks down how he got involved with Roast Me, why Pas...

Leeky2x and Drip Crew pull up to What’s Hot L.A. for a real conversation about new music, viral records, chemistry, consistency, and the next wave coming out of L.A. In this episode, Leeky2x talks about his new single “Can You Take It,” why he’s been dropping more music this year than ever before, and how he balances trusting his gut with listening to the streets. Drip YBC breaks down his single “...

Los Angeles artist King HXVIK pulls up to What’s Hot L.A. and talks about his journey, his latest project By Chance , the motion behind “Tamed,” and why he considers himself a multi-lane creative. HXVIK breaks down the difference between building your career through the grind versus blowing up overnight, why going viral on your first record can create its own problems, and why the L.A. underground...

Reddnthabuilding sits down with Crystal for another episode of What’s Hot in LA to talk growth, fatherhood, music, production, and his next chapter. In this interview, Red opens up about leaving old energy behind, preparing for his first child, selling exclusive beats, and locking in on his music career. He also breaks down his upcoming project Goated, producing the entire project himself, working...

LA Rap Radar / trapLA sits down with legendary comedian, actor, writer, and South Central LA native Alex Thomas for a real conversation about comedy, Hollywood, legacy, and how long he’s been putting points on the board. Alex breaks down 30 years in stand-up comedy, being a Soul Train dancer before the world knew him, writing on the original Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, working on some of the biggest...

Akon pulled up to trapLA with The Gang , featuring longtime collaborator T Money and L.A. rap veteran Eastside K-Boy , for an exclusive conversation with JessWest . Akon breaks down why he believes the West Coast has been missing a certain sound, what immediately stood out to him about K-Boy, and why now was the right time to put the pieces together. The conversation goes deeper than the music. Th...

ason Weaver has been part of Black entertainment history for more than three decades — and in this conversation with trapLA’s Poon, he takes us behind the scenes of a career most people only know pieces of. Jason talks about getting started as a child actor, playing a young Michael Jackson in The Jacksons: An American Dream , becoming the singing voice of young Simba in Disney’s The Lion King , hi...

Everybody keeps asking why L.A. radio doesn't play more local, up-and-coming artists. The problem is, a lot of artists don't understand how commercial radio actually works — or the business behind breaking a record. Coming from radio promotion and my experience with the Hitmen DJs, I'm breaking down some of the game behind the scenes: why radio is really an advertising business, the di...