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

Cincinnati Cincinnati ( ; colloquially nicknamed Cincy) is a city in Hamilton County, Ohio, United States, and its county seat. Settled in 1788, the city is located on the northern side of the confluence of the Licking River (Kentucky), Licking and Ohio Ri ...

Ohio Ohio ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. It borders Lake Erie to the north, Pennsylvania to the east, West Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Indiana to the ...

. He is best known for his work with

Talib Kweli Talib Kweli Greene (; born October 3, 1975) is an American rapper. He first earned recognition through his collaboration with fellow Brooklyn rapper Mos Def (now known as Yasiin Bey) in 1997, when they formed the group Black Star. Kweli's music ...

. 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 grew up in the

West End, Cincinnati West End is one of the 52 neighborhoods of Cincinnati, Ohio. Originally a large residential neighborhood, the majority of the area was demolished in the mid-20th century for the construction of highway interchanges and an industrial park known as ...

. 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 Brooklyn is a Boroughs of New York City, borough of New York City located at the westernmost end of Long Island in the New York (state), State of New York. Formerly an independent city, the borough is coextensive with Kings County, one of twelv ...

. Hi-Tek went on to produce most of Talib Kweli and

Mos Def Yasiin Bey ( ; born Dante Terrell Smith; December 11, 1973), formerly known as Mos Def ( ), is an American rapper, singer, and actor. A prominent figure in conscious hip hop, he is recognized for his use of wordplay and commentary on social an ...

's ''

Black Star Black Star or Blackstar may refer to: Astronomy *Black star (semiclassical gravity), a theoretical star built using semiclassical gravity as an alternative to a black hole *Saturn, referred to as "Black Star" in ancient Judaeic belief *Black dwarf ...

'' (1998). In 2000, Tek and Kweli (under the name Reflection Eternal) released ''

Train of Thought The train of thought or track of thought refers to the interconnection in the sequence of ideas expressed during a connected discourse or thought, as well as the sequence itself, especially in discussion how this sequence leads from one idea to ...

'' (2000) on

Rawkus Records Rawkus Records (or Rawkus Entertainment) is an American hip hop record label, owned by James Murdoch, known for starting the careers of many rappers. Rawkus started in 1995 with releases in hip-hop, drum and bass and fun-dustrial (Dystopia One) ...

, 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

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 ''Hi-Teknology'' is the debut album from producer Hi-Tek, released on Rawkus Records. Most songs feature rapping or singing by other artists, and all are produced by Hi-Tek. A sequel, ''Hi-Teknology 2'', was made for MCA Records but never release ...

'' on Rawkus. The album featured appearances by

Common Common may refer to: As an Irish surname, it is anglicised from Irish Gaelic surname Ó Comáin. Places * Common, a townland in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland * Boston Common, a central public park in Boston, Massachusetts * Cambridge Com ...

Vinia Mojica Vinia A. Mojica (born March 14, 1970) is an American singer from Queens, New York. She is best known for her collaborations with the Native Tongues collective and other hip hop artists. Life and career Her recording career began in 1989 with t ...

Buckshot A shotgun cartridge, shotshell, or shell is a type of rimmed, cylindrical (straight-walled) ammunition used specifically in shotguns. It is typically loaded with numerous small, spherical sub-projectiles called shot. Shotguns typically use a ...

, 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 Shanonn Jonell Showes, better known as Jonell (born February 20, 1977), is an American contemporary R&B singer. In 2001, Jonell was introduced with her first hit ''Round and Round'' on producer Hi-Tek's album '' Hi-Teknology'', the remix featur ...

. Hi-Tek is a staff producer for

Aftermath Entertainment Aftermath Entertainment is an American record label founded by hip hop producer and rapper Dr. Dre in 1996. It operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, and is distributed through Interscope Records. The label's roster includes artists ...

and its affiliates, as well as past associates such as Kweli and Mos Def. He has also recorded songs for

Dion Jenkins Dion Keith Jenkins (born September 21, 1979) is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. He is known for his collaborations with Aftermath Entertainment artists The Game, 50 Cent and Young Buck. He has also worked with several other ...

, an R&B singer signed to Aftermath. ''Hi-Teknology 2'' was released October 17, 2006, on

Babygrande Babygrande Records is an American independent record label based in New York City, founded by Chuck Wilson. Babygrande is distributed by The Orchard and represented by the Creative Artists Agency in Hollywood. History Babygrande Records was ...

, and distributed by

Koch Entertainment Koch Entertainment was an American record label and a distributor of film, television, and music. It was purchased by Canadian entertainment company ROW Entertainment in 2005. History First years The company began in 1975 as part of Koch Inte ...

. 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 It's a Wonderful World Music Group is an independent record label, founded by hip hop producer 9th Wonder in 2008. History 9th Wonder founded It's a Wonderful World Music Group shortly after leaving the group Little Brother (group), Little Bro ...

Discography

Albums

Production

213 Year 213 ( CCXIII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar. At the time (in Rome), it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Aurelius and Calvinus (or, less frequently, year 966 ''Ab urbe condita''). The denomination 213 ...

– "Twist Yo Body" ( The Hard Way) <2004> *

50 Cent Curtis James Jackson III (born July 6, 1975), known professionally as 50 Cent, is an American rapper, actor, and television producer. Born in Queens, a borough of New York City, Jackson began pursuing a musical career in 1996. In 1999–2000, ...

– "Best Friend" ( Get Rich Or Die Tryin' soundtrack) <2005> *~~~ – "Get in My Car"; "Ryder Music" (

The Massacre ''The Massacre'' is the second studio album by American rapper 50 Cent, released on March 3, 2005, via Interscope Records, Eminem's Shady Records, 50 Cent's G-Unit Records, and Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment. With production from Dr. Dre, ...

) <2005> * Anderson .Paak – "Come Down" ( Malibu) <2016>Archived a
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Beanie Sigel Dwight Equan Grant (born March 6, 1974), better known by his stage name Beanie Sigel, is an American rapper from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is best known for his association with Jay-Z and his label Roc-A-Fella Records, to which Grant signed ...

– "Get That Dough" (

Lyricist Lounge 2 ''Lyricist Lounge 2'' is the fourth hip hop compilation album by American record label Rawkus Records. It was released on November 28, 2000, as the second installment of ''Lyricist Lounge'' album series, based on New York's ''Lyricist Lounge'' s ...

) <2000> *

Big L Lamont Coleman (May 30, 1974February 15, 1999), known professionally as Big L, was an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer. Emerging from Harlem in New York City in 1992, Big L became known among underground hip-hop fans for his f ...

- "Still Here" (

) <2000> *

Bishop Lamont Philip Brandon Martin (born October 31, 1978), better known as Bishop Lamont, is an American rapper from Carson, California. He was signed to Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment record label and released one project under the label, eventually le ...

– "Friends" <2009> * Bizarre eaturing Obie Trice">Obie_Trice.html" ;"title="eaturing Obie Trice">eaturing Obie Trice– "Doctor Doctor" (''Hannicap Circus'') <2005> * Bizarre [featuring Eminem] – "Hip Hop" (Hannicap Circus) <2005> * Bizarre – "I'm in Luv Witchu" (HanniCap Circus) <2005> *

Blackalicious Blackalicious was an American hip-hop duo from Sacramento, California, made up of rapper Gift of Gab and DJ/producer Chief Xcel. They are noted for Gift of Gab's often tongue-twisting, multisyllabic, complex rhymes and Chief Xcel's soulful pr ...

– "It's Going Down" (

Blazing Arrow ''Blazing Arrow'' is the second studio album by American hip hop duo Blackalicious. It was released on MCA Records on April 30, 2002. It peaked at number 49 on the ''Billboard'' 200 chart. Critical reception Steve Huey of AllMusic wrote: "All t ...

) <2002> *

– 6 tracks from ''

'' *

Boot Camp Clik Boot Camp Clik is an American hip hop supergroup from Brooklyn, New York City, which is composed of Buckshot (of Black Moon), Smif-N-Wessun ( Tek and Steele), Heltah Skeltah ( Rockness Monsta and Sean Price) and O.G.C. (Starang Wondah, Top ...

– "Ice Skate" ( The Chosen Few) <2002> *Brixx eaturing Talib Kweli- "Halfway" (Everything Happens for a Reason) <1999> *

Busta Rhymes Trevor George Smith Jr. (born May 20, 1972), known professionally as Busta Rhymes, is an American rapper, singer and actor. Chuck D of Public Enemy gave him the moniker Busta Rhymes, after National Football League, NFL and Canadian Football Lea ...

eaturing Rick Ross- "Master Fard Muhammad" ( Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God) <2020> *

Canibus Germaine Williams (born December 9, 1974), better known by his stage name Canibus, is a Jamaican-American rapper. First having gained recognition for his freestyling abilities, he signed with Universal Records to release his debut studio al ...

- "Last Laugh" <2001> * Cassidy eaturing Bone Thugs-N-Harmony & Eve– "Cash Rulez" <2007> *

Cocoa Brovaz Smif-N-Wessun, also known as Cocoa Brovaz and Tek-N-Steele, is an American hip hop duo from Brooklyn, New York City. It is composed of rappers Tekomin "Tek" Williams (born June 3, 1973) from Bedford–Stuyvesant and Darrell "Steele" Yates (born ...

– "Get Up" (

) <2000> *

eaturing Sadat X">Sadat_X.html" ;"title="eaturing Sadat X">eaturing Sadat X– "1-9-9-9" (''Soundbombing II'') <1999> *Cormega – "Take These Jewels" (The True Meaning) <2002> *D12 – "Just Like U" (''D12 World'') <2004> *Dead Prez [featuring

] – (

) "Sharp Shooters" <2000> *

Dizzee Rascal Dylan Kwabena Mills (born 18 September 1984), known professionally as Dizzee Rascal, is a British rapper and MC. He is often credited as a pioneer of British hip hop and grime music and was ranked by ''Complex'' as one of the greatest British ...

- "Good" ( The Fifth) <2013> *

Donte Donte is a given name. Notable people with the given name include: *Donté Clark (born 1977), American poet *Donté Curry (born 1978), American football player * Donte DiVincenzo (born 1997), American basketball player *Donte Foster (born 1990), ...

– "Heat 4 the Streets" <2003> * The Game – "Runnin'" (

The Documentary ''The Documentary'' is the debut studio album by American rapper the Game. It was released on January 18, 2005, by Aftermath Entertainment, G-Unit Records, and Interscope Records. The record serves as his major-label debut, preceded by his i ...

) <2005> *~~~ - "Ol English" (

Doctor's Advocate ''Doctor's Advocate'' is the second studio album by American hip hop recording artist the Game, released on November 14, 2006, through Geffen Records. The album is his second major-label release, following 2005's ''The Documentary'', which was ...

) <2006> *~~~ - "Letter to the King" ('' L.A.X) <2008>'' *

G-Unit G-Unit (short for Guerilla-Unit). was an American hip hop group formed by longtime friends and East Coast rappers 50 Cent, Tony Yayo, and Lloyd Banks. After amassing a string of self-released mixtapes in the early 2000s, the group released ...

– "G Unit"; "Eye for an Eye" (Beg for Mercy) <2003> *Ghostface Killah – "Josephine" (More Fish) <2006> *Grand Agent - "It's Only Right " (By Design) <2001> *Gym Class Heroes – "New Friend Request " (''Snakes On A Plane: The Album'') <2006> *Hodgy – "Glory" (''Fireplace: TheNotTheOtherSide'') <2016> *J Dilla – "The Creep (The O)"; "Gangsta Boogie" (''The Diary (J Dilla album), The Diary'') <2016> *

– "Round & Round " (How High (soundtrack)) <2001> *Kurious [featuring Dave Dar & Co Campbell] – "Brand New Day" (II) <2009> *Lady Laistee - "Authentique"; "For the Ladies" (Black Mama) <1999> *Little Brother (band), Little Brother [featuring Dion] – "Step it Up" (''Getback'') <2007> *Lloyd Banks [featuring Snoop Dogg,

] – "I Get High" (''The Hunger for More'') <2004> *M-Dot – "Days Are All the Same" (Ego and the Enemy) <2017> *Mary J. Blige - "Beautiful " <1999> *Mood (hip hop crew), Mood – half of ''Doom (Mood album), Doom <1997>; "''Snakebacks (Karma Pt. 2)" <1997> *Morcheeba [featuring Reflection Eternal] – "Let Me See " <1998> *

– "Next Universe" (''Soundbombing II'') <1999> *Phife Dawg – "Flawless"; "Alphabet Soup"; "D.R.U.G.S."; "Beats, Rhymes & Phife" (Ventilation: Da LP) <2000> *Piakhan - "Spheres" <2000> *Reflection Eternal - "On Mission" (Soundbombing II) <1999> *~~~ - "The Manifesto" (Lyricist Lounge, Volume One) <1998> *~~~ [featuring Mr. Man & Mos Def] - "Fortified Live" ( Soundbombing) <1997> *~~~ [featuring Bahamadia - "Chaos" (Soundbombing II) <1999> *Reks - "The Wonder Years" (Rhythmatic Eternal King Supreme) <2011> *~~~ [featuring Freeway] - "U Know" (Rheumatic Eternal King Supreme) <2011> *Royal Flush (rapper), Royal Flush - "Shines" (Ghetto Millionaire) <1997> *Russ (rapper), Russ [featuring The Game] - "Nothin' New" (Chomp 2) <2021> *Shabaam Sahdeeq - "Eat This Year" <2001> *Shaunta - "Good Lovin'" (The Wash (soundtrack)) <2001> *Slum Village - "Slumber" (Trinity (Past, Present and Future)) <2002> *~~~ – "The Set Up" (Villa Manifesto) <2010> *Snoop Dogg – "I Believe in You"; "I Miss That Bitch" (''Paid tha Cost to Be da Boss'') <2002> *~~~ – "No Thang on Me" {''R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece) <2004>'' *~~~ [featuring Soopafly, RBX, Mr. Kane] - "Doh Doh"; "Doin' It Bigg"; "Light That Shit Up" (Doggy Style Allstars: Welcome to tha House, Vol. 1) <2002> *~~~ - "Gun Smoke" (BODR) <2022> *Soulive [featuring Reflection Eternal] – "Bridge to Bama {Remix}" <2001> *Styles P [featuring Ray J] – "Let's Go" (''Super Gangster, Extraordinary Gentleman'') <2007> *Styles P [featuring Reflection Eternal] – "Testify" (Time Is Money (Styles P album), Time Is Money) <2006> *Syleena Johnson [featuring Mos Def] – "Hit on Me {Remix}" <2001> *~~~ - "The Voice/Intro"; "Outro" (''Chapter 2: The Voice'') <2002> *

– "Back Up Offa Me"; "Work It Out"; "Beautiful Struggle" (The Beautiful Struggle) <2004> *~~~ - "More or Less"; "The Perfect Beat" (Eardrum (album), Eardrum) <2007> *Tara Thomas - "When You're in Love {Remix}" <1997> *Termanology – "In the Streets" (Politics as Usual) <2008> * ~~~ [featuring Bun B, Bodega Bamz and Masspike Miles] – ""Where's the Love?" (More Politics) <2016> *Tha Eastsidaz - "Cool"; "Eastside Ridaz" (''Duces 'n Trayz: The Old Fashioned Way'') <2001> *Truth Hurts (singer), Truth Hurts [featuring Dr. Dre] – "Hollywood" (Truthfully Speaking) <2002> *Xzibit – "Scent of a Woman" (Weapons of Mass Destruction (album), Weapons of Mass Destruction) <2004> *~~~ [featuring

] – "Tough Guy" (Weapons of Mass Destruction) <2004> *Young Buck – "Don't Need No Help" (Get Rich or Die Tryin' (soundtrack), Get Rich or Die Tryin' soundtrack) <2005> *~~~ [featuring Snoop Dogg, Trick Daddy] – "I Ain't Fuckin' wit You" (''Buck the World'') <2007> *9th Wonder and

[featuring Rapsody] – "Every Ghetto" (''Indie 500'') <2015>

References

{{Authority control 1976 births Living people African-American male rappers 21st-century American male rappers Midwest hip-hop musicians American hip-hop record producers Aftermath Entertainment artists African-American record producers Rappers from Cincinnati 21st-century American rappers 21st-century African-American musicians 20th-century African-American musicians