Locksmith is considered one of the best lyricists to ever come out of the Bay Area. Growing up in Richmond, he co-founded the group The Frontline in the late 90s. Frontline blew up with the help of E-A-Ski's production and landed a record deal. This propelled them to the forefront of what would be termed "The New Bay," and eventually the Hyphy Movement. Locksmith also sharpened his reputation as a battle rapper, participating in freestyle battles against other local legends like Mistah FAB and Clyde Carson. After his groupmate Left put music to the side to pursue a career in education at UC Berkeley, Lock traveled to New York to move his solo career forward. Along the way he put out projects with Dame Dash and Ski Beatz and broke out of the regional Bay Area circuit to become an internationally respected MC.