Frontline

Frontline, also known as The Frontline, is a rap music group that performs the West Coast variety of hip hop music. The Richmond, California duo, Left and Locksmith, met in junior high school and formed the group in 1997. Locksmith, sometimes called Lock, gained his first national exposure in 2003 on MTV's Freestyle Battle television program. Lock was successful on the show, making it to the final round of competition. After Freestyle Battle, Lock went back to the studio with Left and recorded their first album, Who R You, the following year. The album received airplay on local radio stations and was eventually reissued under another name in 2005. One of the most notable qualities of the group's music is that, despite the fact the both Locksmith and Left grew up in an area with one of the highest homicide rates in the United States, they steer away from promoting violence in their albums. They do not glorify drinking or smoking, and do not engage in the behaviors themselves. Frontline's music focuses on a positive message and Left and Locksmith attempt to be positive role models for youths. The artists even engage in after-school tutoring and mentoring programs in their hometown. MORE