T.E.E – Hits & Haymakers (Album Review)

T.E.E turns a trip home into a memorable statement on “Hits & Haymakers.”

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TOP 5 SONGS

5. So Good (Ft. B Soulo)

Maybe it’s because I’m getting older, but the tracks that stick with me the most are the reflective ones. That’s why “So Good” ended up being one of my favorites and such a fitting closer for the project.

Instead of flexing, T.E.E spends the record appreciating how far he’s come and embracing the peace he’s found at this stage of his life. B Soulo complements that message perfectly, delivering a verse about betting on himself, chasing his dreams, and realizing that real change starts with the person in the mirror.

Backed by therapeutic production that still carries plenty of weight, the song feels as comforting as one of Cardi B’s pillow cheeks. Add in a chorus that refuses to leave your head, and you’ve got one of the album’s strongest moments.

4. Back In Da’Boro

If you’re looking for the best storytelling on the project, just press play on “Back In Da’Boro.”

T.E.E takes listeners on a tense ride through his old neighborhood, detailing a moment where he’s cruising with a friend who’s carrying a weapon while reminding us that the hood is still every bit as dangerous as people remember.

His ability to paint scenes is what makes the song special, but it doesn’t stop there. The eerie, hard-hitting production creates constant suspense, the chorus is ridiculously easy to latch onto, and T.E.E delivers every line with the kind of emotion and animation that makes you feel like you’re sitting in the passenger seat with him.

3. Games (Ft. DOLLA BADASS)

If I had to pick one beat to keep from this project, it’d be “Games” without hesitation.

The instrumental is phenomenal. It has some soul, it’s gritty, and carries this timeless feel that makes it feel larger than life. Honestly, it sounds like something that should be playing during the opening scene of a documentary on a ’70s black mob leader.

T.E.E attacks the beat with confidence, mixing up his flow throughout the song while sprinkling in street lessons he’s clearly learned firsthand. DOLLA BADASS keeps the momentum rolling with a gritty, Southern-influenced verse full of personality and clever bars that acknowledges the belt he’s been giving his opps lately.

Between the production and both performances, “Games” feels like one of the most polished and complete records on the project.

2. U Think U Hov

You know how Brian Scalabrine told that one dude, “I’m closer to LeBron than you are to me?” Well, on “U Think U Hov,” T.E.E basically lets it be known that he’s closer to JAY-Z than you are to him.

The beat sounds massive from the jump, pairing hard-hitting drums with an extravagant backdrop that makes the whole record feel like a grand entrance. T.E.E rises to the occasion, delivering slick punchlines with a calm, calculated flow while making it crystal clear that he sees himself playing in a different league than most rappers around him.

Lyrically, our hero boasts about the respect he’s earned in his city, and every bar reinforces his confidence. The real knockout punch, though, is the chorus. It’s bold, infectious, and carries the kind of swagger that sticks with you long after the song ends.

1. Talkin’ Bout (Ft. Matrixx)

If there’s one song on this project that feels built for a bigger audience, it’s “Talkin’ Bout.”

The beat immediately jumps out with its explosive, cinematic energy. It sounds like the kind of record you’d hear during a high-speed chase or the final showdown in an action movie.

Matrixx brings plenty of personality, pairing an extra gritty delivery with a chorus that’s impossible to forget. T.E.E takes things in another direction, gliding over the beat with relentless confidence while making it clear he has zero respect for the competition.

Their chemistry works because they approach the record differently, and the production does an excellent job of bringing both styles together.

SONG BY SONG RATING

The Scrivener (4/5)

U Think U Hov (4.5/5)

Bounce (3.5/5)

Talkin’ Bout (Ft. Matrixx) (4.5/5)

Steady Talkin (3.5/5)

Games (Ft. DOLLA BADASS) (4.5/5)

HEATERZ FREESTYLE (3.5/5)

The Best (3.5/5)

&? (3.5/5)

Back In Da’Boro (4/5)

So Good (Ft. B Soulo) (4/5)

RGM RATING

(B-)

After spending time with this project, it’s clear T.E.E didn’t just throw together a collection of songs. He bottled up the energy of a two-week trip back home to Goldsboro, North Carolina, and turned it into a body of work that feels competitive, authentic, and alive. Whether he’s talking slick on “U Think U Hov,” delivering blockbuster energy on “Talkin’ Bout,” telling vivid stories on “Back In Da’Boro,” or reflecting on life in “So Good,” every track feels like another chapter in the same book.

What impressed me most is how balanced everything is. T.E.E can rap his ass off, make memorable hooks, paint detailed pictures, and still leave room for records that actually have heart. Add in some excellent guest appearances and consistently strong production, and you’ve got a project that rarely loses its footing.

If this album is any indication of what a trip back to Goldsboro brings out of T.E.E creatively, he might want to start making that drive a little more often.