Los Angeles’ own Krooked Treez expands their veteran Cali reggae presence with their newest release, “West Coastin” — mixing reggae with hip hop, rock, Latin, and Caribbean rhythms to make pure sunshine.
“West Coastin” feels like rolling down PCH at golden hour — stress-free and soaked in sunshine.
According to frontman O’Brown, he broke down what the single means to the collective: “‘West Coastin’’ is our love letter to the lifestyle that raised us: the beaches, the lowriders, the palm trees, the melting pot of cultures, and that California bounce you feel the second the beat drops.”
Before the single even hit streaming platforms, Krooked Treez tested it live on the Chaos & Vibes Tour with Kyle Smith across five cities. The reaction was instant and overwhelming. “People who had never heard the song were already singing the hook back to us,” O’Brown said. “That’s when we knew it was something special.”
Once the track went live, the momentum went crazy.
Mambo in the Morning on Ventura’s KCAQ 95.9 FM played the track five times within the hour, marking the band’s biggest FM radio moment yet! The single also made its debut on Santa Barbara’s Word on the Streets Radio with D-Tragic on 91.9 FM KCSB, connecting with UC Santa Barbara students and the “805” reggae and hip hop community.
For Krooked Treez, “West Coastin” reflects a major artistic milestone, representing a renewed focus creatively, while still building on a foundation of their roots. A piece of this evolution comes from Mellow Man Ace’s return, bringing new ideas, creativity, and discipline. His return holds personal meaning for O’Brown, too, who previously worked with Mellow and B-Real (of Cypress Hill) in the group SRK.
“Mellow is from Cypress Avenue, adding that real LA lineage and authenticity that you can feel in the music,” O’Brown shared. If Krooked Treez could translate the vibe of “West Coastin” into feelings, it would be freedom and positivity.
The band hopes listeners feel exactly that when they press play.
Krooked Treez may be based in Los Angeles, but their lineage stretches all the way to their Belizean heritage, specifically the village of Crooked Tree, where O’Brown’s great-grandfather lived. Instilled with LA street culture and shared musical DNA, the band has always grown beyond their sound. With connections to B-Real and the Cypress Hill family, as well as members representing different corners of LA, the band takes pride in embodying a movement. “Krooked Treez is heritage,” continues O’Brown. “Krooked Treez is culture. Krooked Treez is unity through music.”
You can listen to their latest single “West Coastin’” on any preferred music platform and make sure to follow them via the links below.
Krooked Treez – “West Coastin” official video:
Stream “West Coastin” single:
Cover photography by Old Soul Photography @oldsoulphotography_
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Disclaimer: All views presented in this album review are those of the reviewer and not necessarily those of Top Shelf Music.
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