Hi-Tek

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"DJ Hi-Tek" redirects here. For the member of Die Antwoord, see Die Antwoord.
Not to be confused with the Technotronic spin-off/alias Hi-Tek 3.
Hi-Tek
Birth nameTony Cottrell
Also known asTekzilla
Born (1976-05-05) May 5, 1976 (age 45)
Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
OriginCincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
GenresHip hop
Occupation(s)Rapper, producer
InstrumentsKeyboards, Drums, sampler
Years active1996 - present
LabelsRawkus, Babygrande, Aftermath,
Associated acts

Tony Cottrell, better known as Hi-Tek (born May 5, 1976),[1] is an American rapper and record producer from Cincinnati, Ohio. He is best known for his work with Talib Kweli. His father is singer Willie Cottrell of the Willie Cottrell Band, whom Hi-Tek featured on his second album, Hi-Teknology 2.

Career[]

1996-2000[]

Hi-Tek started his career with hip hop group Mood and had a regional hit with "Hustle on the Side". That song was made for Mood's album Doom, which featured amongst others Brooklyn MC Talib Kweli. Hi-Tek went on to produce most of Talib Kweli and Mos Def's Black Star (1998). In 2000, Tek and Kweli (under the name Reflection Eternal) released Train of Thought (2000) on Rawkus Records, with raps by Kweli and beats by Hi-Tek. It enjoyed moderate crossover radio success with the singles "The Blast" and "Move Somethin'". Reflection Eternal released a follow-up album titled Revolutions Per Minute on May 18, 2010.

2001-current[]

After signing to Rawkus Records, Hi-Tek produced for a number of the labels projects, including the popular Soundbombing series; a three-record compilation of mostly Rawkus-based artists. In 2001, he released his solo album Hi-Teknology on Rawkus. The album featured appearances by Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Common, Vinia Mojica, Buckshot, and others, with all production handled by Hi-Tek. It received critical acclaim and spawned a minor hit, "Round and Round" with Cincinnati singer Jonell.

Hi-Tek is a staff producer for Aftermath Entertainment and its affiliates, as well as past associates such as Kweli and Mos Def. He has also recorded songs for Dion Jenkins, an R&B singer signed to Aftermath. Hi-Teknology 2 was released October 17, 2006 on Babygrande, and distributed by Koch Entertainment.[2] The producer released the third installment, Hi-Teknology 3: Underground on December 11, 2007.

In November 2015, producer 9th Wonder announced Hi-Tek as the newest member of The Soul Council - the production staff of his record label It's A Wonderful World Music Group.[3]

Discography[]

Albums[]

Album information
Train of Thought (by Reflection Eternal with Talib Kweli)
  • Released: October 17, 2000
  • Billboard 200 chart position: #17
  • R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #5
  • Singles: "The Express"/"Some Kind of Wonderful", "Move Somethin'"/"Good Mourning" & "The Blast"/"Down for the Count"/"Train of Thought", "Down for the Count"
Hi-Teknology
  • Released: May 8, 2001
  • Billboard 200 chart position: #66
  • R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #12
  • Singles: "Round & Round"/"All I Need Is You", "The Sun God"/"Get Back Pt. 2"
Hi-Teknology²: The Chip
  • Released: October 17, 2006
  • Billboard 200 chart position: #38
  • R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #8
  • U.S. Sales: 51,782[4]
  • Singles: "Where It Started At (NY)"/"Can We Go Back"
Hi-Teknology 3
  • Released: December 11, 2007
  • Billboard 200 chart position: #48
  • R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #
  • Singles: "My Piano"
Revolutions Per Minute (by Reflection Eternal with Talib Kweli)
  • Released: May 18, 2010
  • Billboard 200 chart position: #18
  • R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: TBA
  • Singles: "Back Again", "In This World", "Strangers (Paranoid)"

Production[]

Game - Runnin'

References[]

  1. ^ Martin, April L. (October 23, 2003). "Cover Story: Teknology Eternal". citybeat.com. City Beat. Retrieved November 4, 2018.
  2. ^ "Exclusive Hip Hop News, Audio, Lyrics, Videos, Honeys, Wear, Sneakers, Download Mixtapes". Hiphopgame.com. 2006-07-19. Retrieved 2012-03-30.
  3. ^ Hernandez, Victoria. "Hi-Tek Joins The Soul Council". hiphopdx.com. Cheri Media. Retrieved 2015-11-15.
  4. ^ "indiehq.com". indiehq.com. Archived from the original on 2007-03-22. Retrieved 2007-12-17.
  5. ^ "Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert". YouTube. NPR Music. Aug 22, 2016. Anderson .Paak: "DJ Hi-Tek did that bit"
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