Tha L.O.C.K.

Get ready for real west coast music. Welcome to L.O.C.K’s Angeles.

Often compared to the lyrical style of Outkast with the artistic vision of A Tribe called Quest...Tha L.O.C.K. (Tha Love Of Constant Knowledge) produces creative, soulful and funky hip hop. Originally from Los Angeles, their sound is sophisticated with clear freestyle from Yung Op (Quentin Juarez) and Semaj (James Mays), who rhymes along with the most soulful vocals. Producers in their own right, they provide a fresh face for west coast hip hop that hasn't been seen before. Their forthcoming album has danceable tracks that bring in elements of deep basslines, electronica, dirty south tributes, clever storytelling with funky beats, along with live instrumentation...and a remarkable ability to make fun of themselves.

Tha L.O.C.K. began in 2001, when Yung-OP and Semaj met at a local talent agency in Los Angeles. Freestyle sessions took place more often than not, then a gradual move into songwriting and dance choreography. They performed at local talent shows to develop a fan base and share their talents with the world.

Yung Op and Semaj started recording at a local high school in Glendale, California. During this time, Tha L.O.C.K. grew, learned, and polished their craft of creating good music, while recording their albums, “Tha MIXED Up Mix Tape” and “Ears to the Street.” They also started performing monthly at the University of Southern California called the A.L.B.U.M. (All Live Bangin Universal Music) for a year, until fire marshalls shut them down due to overcapacity. Tha L.O.C.K. branched out during this period: Yung Op entered and won freestyle battles that took him to the New York’s Apollo theatre, and also battling at the 2003 NBA All-star weekend Freestyle Hip-Hop Battle, judged by Jermaine Dupri, Lil Kim, Swiss Beat and LA-radio personality “Big Boy” from Power 106FM. Semaj began engineering songs for several artists like Usher, Tyreese, and Bishop Lamont. He also helped produce songs and beats, arranged vocals, and built music studios for local and international artists. After taking some time off from the show circuit, Tha L.O.C.K. is back at it full time.

Now under a new independent label, the focused and grown-up “Tha Love of Constant Knowledge” (Tha L.O.C.K.) is taking their lessons learned and creating an entire new sound. With another successful mixtape, "The MJMixtape, vol. 2," followed by the addition of two gorgeous, talented She-jays on the turntables, Tha L.O.C.K. is the new future in hip hop and soul.