Today I’m taking a look at an album from underground rapper and hip hop artist from Jersey, Twogeebs. This creator is truly remarkable, often churning out content in less than a week. ‘The Geeb Tape 4’ is no exception – I have to say it’s an album packed to the brim with songs. As a huge anime fan myself, I was thrilled to hear the abundance of anime references throughout this record.
The sheer volume of content on this album is impressive. Each track is dense with clever wordplay, cultural nods, and personal storytelling. It’s the kind of album that rewards multiple listens, as you’re bound to catch something new each time. Now, let’s roll up our sleeves and get into the nitty-gritty of this review. We’ve got a lot of ground to cover with this.
The opening track of “Tha Geeb Tape 4” by twogeebs, titled “Zoro & Sanji” featuring Backwood Brad, is a clever nod to the world of One Piece. To fully appreciate this track, it’s essential to grasp the intricate dynamic between these two anime characters. Their relationship is a mix of rivalry and mutual respect, underpinned by an unwavering loyalty to their crew. This duo’s importance to the Straw Hat Pirates can’t be overstated.
As the track begins, I’m struck by its smooth, easygoing atmosphere. The production is reminiscent of early Motown, with subtle horns and a piano that’s pretty impactful. There’s an additional layer added by a singing section woven into the back ground going on over the lines, complementing the delivery of the verses.
The lyrical content is where this track truly shines. The writing is sharp and witty, packed with references that showcase the artists’ deep knowledge of anime culture. And my God, I absolutely love this. Within the first minute, I’m hit with a Death Note reference, setting the tone for the clever wordplay that follows. Throughout the track, twogeebs and Backwood Brad skillfully intertwine lines about their own artistic relationship, mirroring the Zoro and Sanji dynamic.
Just when I think I’ve got a handle on the track’s structure, it flips everything upside down. At the two-minute mark, there’s a complete shift in mood and instrumentation.
This is just such an awesome track about artistic growth, rivalry in the music industry, and self-confidence. It uses numerous anime and pop culture references to illustrate these ideas, and again, as a mega nerd, I love this. I mean it’s one thing when strong bars can really connect and resonate with you, it’s a totally different thing when you get something that’s very obscure and it’s just a deep cuts reference. They’ve mastered that craft.
They then go on to addressing their critics and competitors, asserting their skill and dedication to their craft. There’s a bit of frustration with those who seek fame without putting in the work, contrasted with the artists’ own commitment to honing their abilities. Now this track also touches on the challenges of maintaining authenticity in the face of industry pressures and the importance of staying true to oneself. And really gets into the dynamics of artistic collaboration, comparing the relationship between the artists to that of the characters.
“Under Tha Moon” is another awesome track that really shows off the versatility and attention to detail. The song opens with the gentle sounds of crickets, setting a nighttime scene. This atmospheric intro is followed by an unexpectedly polite, yet pointed, verbal jab that catches me off guard in the best way possible, as a nice welcome message. Seriously, this was great.
As the track unfolds, I’m transported back to the golden era of doo-wop music. The rhythm section evokes a sense of nostalgia, bringing to mind the classic sounds of that beloved genre. What really stands out to me is the his delivery. There’s a subtle vocal melody woven into the flow, harmonizing with the classy instrumental backdrop into the first half. This technique is really awesome and while you’re listening to it, it’s like in the background you’re hearing the amazing roots of this style, and as he’s rapping, it’s brought into the modern world and how it’s evolved. I don’t know if that was intentional, but it’s absolutely genius.
At the one-minute mark, a burst of static signals a complete shift in the track’s direction. The beat transforms entirely, introducing a new energy and mood. This transition is executed flawlessly, with a bass drop that’s so, so good. Now this track is about hip-hop superiority and a critique of inauthenticity in the hip-hop scene. Here he expresses frustration with competitors who rely on gimmicks rather than genuine skill, and dismisses those who complain about disses without being directly involved.
There’s a strong sense of confidence throughout, with him being well aware of his dominance in the rap game. This track also touches on themes of street credibility, suggesting that some rappers exaggerate their experiences. There’s a humorous bar here where he reinterprets claims of “working with bricks” as potential landscaping work, undermining the tough image some artists try to project.
‘Keurig’ is a really cool jam with a nice little smoothness about it. Every now and again we’ve got some horns coming in that give it a kind of triumphant feel. And occasionally a nice little baseline cuts right through. Again, it’s just more incredibly clever songwriting. One line that particularly stuck out in this track was how they’re up early in the morning working like a Keurig. As somebody that has to wake up at 2:30 AM, I felt this one in my soul. But then again, in context to the song, it’s all about how things have to get done.
The track gets into the power of art, talking about how it can give you crowns in heaven and laurels on earth, but it’ll also tear your heart out. There’s a lot of introspection going on here. They writing like it’s a journal, seeing through the eyes of their dads, and learning from mistakes. But it’s not all smooth sailing – there’s talk about depression and feeling like every day brings a new lesson.
They touch on some heavy stuff too, like how the ones you love the most can end up hurting you the most. There’s commentary on street life, with lines about dying on another person’s street instead of living on your own. They’re trying to wake people up, but it sounds like they’re frustrated with folks who only want to talk numbers.
Overall, ‘Keurig’ is a track that’s got me thinking. It’s got that smooth sound, but the lyrics are hitting hard, talking about real life stuff in a way that’s clever and relatable.
‘Identity Crisis’ kicks off with a pretty interesting voicemail that’s open to interpretation, or rather, it feels that way. The message mentions something about a case being closed if there’s no response. It sets a tone of uncertainty right from the start. This track really hit me hard. It dives deep into how music is like a lifeline for him. There’s this sense that without it, he would be lost. The way they describe the mic calling their name and always answering – it’s powerful stuff. You can feel how much music means to them.
What’s really cool is how it means so much, he is already thinking ahead to their next project while still in the midst of this one. It shows a drive and passion that’s pretty inspiring. How his music, is not only bringing us entertainment, it’s like a cathartic release. In a way, therapy. The song touches on some heavy themes – dealing with problems alone, the struggle of life, and trying to make changes. There’s a reference to Sam Cooke that really underlines the frustration with how little has changed in society.
The title ‘Identity Crisis’ comes through in the lyrics too. He calls out the shallowness they see around them, with people trying to be an image instead of being themselves. It’s a critique of fakeness and a call for authenticity. Overall, this track feels like a really personal and honest look into his mind. It’s got that mix of struggle and hope that makes for powerful hip-hop. The way he talks about music saving his life – that’s the kind of raw emotion that really sticks with you. And I can say that, this is one that certainly resonated with me. What an incredible track this was.
‘Shoutout’ is a collab with Davlia and one of the closing tracks on the album. This song hit me hard right from the start. I found myself doing something I did throughout the entire record, but especially with this track. Sometimes a song just grabs you immediately, and I was sitting there with a little smile on my face, pausing it and saying “wait.” I kept going back and listening to the first bit over and over before even letting the song play through. I’m not sure if you’ve ever done that, repeating a song before it even ends, but I did it several times with this one before I actually gave it my first full listen.
It’s got that old school jazzy feel to it, like during the golden era of music. It’s absolutely beautiful when mixed and infused with modern-day hip hop. I have to emphasize again how incredible the production of this record has been. Along with the beat, there’s a nice little overlay of this almost ratatat tat sound that keeps pounding out throughout the percussion.
There are some really great lines in here that hit hard in a relatable way. Specifically, “why are you swiping on my story, I thought you never cared.” We all have those creepers and stalkers just hovering over us to see how we’re doing and what we’re up to. This track showcases the fusion of classic and contemporary styles, clever wordplay, and content that makes the whole album stand out.
‘Shoutout’ seems to be a reflective track that touches on self-reliance, perseverance, and loyalty. Here he recounts personal experiences and pays tribute to various people who’ve played a role in their life and career. And overall it’s about the challenges of making it in the music industry, with references to the journey and accomplishments.
A significant portion of the track is dedicated to shouting out various individuals, ranging from friends and collaborators to places and even past adversaries. Overall, ‘Shoutout’ comes across as a heartfelt and honest track that combines personal storytelling with broader reflections on life and the music industry. The old school jazzy feel in the production seems to complement these themes well.
‘The Geeb Tape 4’ by twogeebs is an absolutely amazing record. The songwriting on this album is incredible, packed full of content and clever lyrics that keep you engaged from start to finish. It’s the kind of album where you find yourself constantly rewinding to catch all the wordplay and references you might have missed on the first listen. I know I certainly did. This is probably one of my most rewound records this year.
The collaborations on this record are top-notch, bringing in different voices and styles that complement twogeebs perfectly. Each feature adds something unique to the track it’s on, creating a diverse experience. I can’t stress enough how impressive the production is on this album. It’s second to none.
Without a doubt, ‘The Geeb Tape 4’ is probably my favorite hip hop album I’ve discovered this year. So much so in fact I’m now excited to explore the rest of twogeebs catalogue.