Producer’s Spotlight: Hi-Tek

It was a really close race in the this last poll, but Hi-Tek came out on top by one vote over Just Blaze. Thanks for voting; this is good stuff… it gives me some insight as to what you (the readers) are interested in.

The timing for this Producer’s Spotlight actually couldn’t be any more perfect. For those of you who do not know, Hi-Tek is about to drop his third album Hi-Teknology 3 on December 11th. So if you’re not familiar with Hi-Tek, this post should introduce you to some of his work before the new album drops.

Although you wouldn’t know it from his production style, Hi-Tek (born Tony Cottrell) hails from Cincinnati, Ohio. He came up going by DJ Hi-Tek during the late 90′s where his most popular work was on Mos Def & Talib Kweli’s Black Star album. He also briefly formed a group with Talib Kweli called Reflection Eternal, releasing the album Train of Thought. Both those albums are classics, as fans have been waiting for subsequent releases from both groups.

If you listen closely to Hi-Tek’s style, you can hear influences from DJ Premier, Pete Rock, as well as the Large Professor. He’s worked closely with Talib Kweli, and lately has done quite a bit of work with 50 Cent and other members of the G-Unit clique. The following is a variety of tracks Hi-Tek has produced over the years, but definitely check out the Black Star and Reflection Eternal albums, as well as his Hi-Teknology series. I tried to list as many of the sample credits as I could. If you know of any that I’ve missed, help me out.

1. Hi-Tek – Breakin’ Bread (from 2001′s Hi-Teknology) Listen
2. G-Unit – G-Unit (from 2003′s Beg For Mercy) Listen
   • Sample Credit: “Million Dollars” by Triumvirat (from 1973′s Illusion on a Double Dimple)
3. Hi-Tek – Can We Go Back (feat. Talib Kweli) (from 2006′s Hi Teknology 2) Listen
   • Sample Credit: “Brazilian Rhyme (Interlude)” by Earth Wind & Fire (from 1977′s All N All)
4. Little Brother – Step It Up (from 2007′s Getback) Listen
5. Styles P – Testify (feat. Talib Kweli) (from 2006′s Time Is Money) Listen
   • Sample Credit: “Forty Days” by Billy Brooks (from 1974′s Windows of The Mind)
6. Reflection Eternal – The Blast (from 2002′s Train of Thought) Listen
7. Jonell – Round & Round (from 2001′s Hi-Teknology) Listen
   • Sample Credit: “Burlesque In Barcelona” by Jakob Magnusson (from 1979′s Special Treatment)
     
8. 50 Cent – Get In My Car (from 2005′s The Massacre) Listen
9. Snoop Dogg – No Thang On Me (feat. Bootsy Collins) (from 2004′s Rhythm & Gangsta) Listen
   • Sample Credit: “No Thing On Me (Cocaine Song)” by Curtis Mayfield (from 1972′s Superfly)
10. Ghostface Killah – Josephine (from 2006′s More Fish) Listen
11. Talib Kweli – Beautiful Struggle (from 2004′s The Beautiful Struggle) Listen
12. 50 Cent – Best Friend (Hi-Tek Remix feat. Olivia) (from 2005′s Get Rich Or Die Tryin Soundtrack) Listen
    • Sample Credit: “Silly Wan’t I?” by Valerie Simpson (from 1972′s Valerie Simpson)
13. Beanie Sigel – Get That Dough (from 2000′s Lyricist Lounge Vol. 2) Listen
14. Skillz – Y’all Don’t Wanna Do That (from 2005′s Confessions of A Ghostwriter) Listen
15. Common – 1-9-9-9 (feat. Sadat X) (from 1999′s Soundbombing Vol. 2) Listen
16. Talib Kweli – Sharp Shooters (feat. Dead Prez) (from 2000′s Lyricist Lounge Vol. 2) Listen
17. Black Star – K.O.S. (Determination) (from 1998′s Black Star) Listen
    • Sample Credit: “Baby This Love I Have” by Minnie Riperton (from 1975′s Adventures In Paradise)
18. The Game – Runnin’ (from 2005′s The Documentary) Listen
19. Lloyd Banks – I Get High (feat. 50 Cent & Snoop Dogg) (from 2004′s The Hunger For More) Listen
20. Cassidy – Cash Rulez (feat. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony & Eve) (from 2007′s B.A.R.S.) Listen

View Complete Discography

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3. Producer’s Spotlight: Cool & Dre
4. Producer’s Spotlight: J Dilla
5. Producer’s Spotlight: 9th Wonder

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