Hi-Tek

A fast-rising producer from Cincinnati, Hi-Tek's distinctive, laid-back beats are finding more and more exposure outside the hip-hop underground. He's worked extensively with Mood (peep their Mission Control Presents: Prehistoric Sounds LP), and through them he hooked up with Talib Kweli. He and Talib went on to form Reflection Eternal, releasing classic singles like "Fortified Live" on the then-fresh indie label known as Rawkus. Hi-Tek provided many key tracks to Talib and Mos Def's Black Star album, and in 2000 he and Kweli dropped the eagerly-anticipated Train Of Thought full-length, featuring serious bumps like "The Blast" (which he also rhymes on) and "Move Somethin'." His debut solo record Hi-Teknology followed in 2001, with choice cameos from Cormega, Buckshot, and Common.