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Hi-Tek

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(Redirected from DJ Hi-Tek)
For other uses, see Hi-Tek (disambiguation).

Hi-Tek
Birth nameTony Louis Cottrell[1]
Also known asTekzilla
Born (1976-05-05) May 5, 1976 (age 48)
Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
GenresHip hop
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • producer
Years active1996–present
Labels
Member ofReflection Eternal

Tony Louis Cottrell (born May 5, 1976),[2] better known as Hi-Tek, is an American rapper and music 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

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1996–2000

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Hi-Tek grew up in the West End, Cincinnati. He 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–present

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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.[3] 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.[4]

Discography

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Albums

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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[5]
  • 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

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References

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  1. ^ "GOD'S PLAN". ASCAP. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  2. ^ Martin, April L. (October 23, 2003). "Cover Story: Teknology Eternal". citybeat.com. City Beat. Retrieved November 4, 2018.
  3. ^ "Exclusive Hip Hop News, Audio, Lyrics, Videos, Honeys, Wear, Sneakers, Download Mixtapes". Hiphopgame.com. July 19, 2006. Archived from the original on April 12, 2009. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  4. ^ Hernandez, Victoria (November 10, 2015). "Hi-Tek Joins The Soul Council". hiphopdx.com. Cheri Media. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  5. ^ "indiehq.com". indiehq.com. Archived from the original on March 22, 2007. Retrieved December 17, 2007.
  6. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert". YouTube. NPR Music. August 22, 2016. Anderson .Paak: "DJ Hi-Tek did that bit"
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