Of all hip hop producers of the last decade, Hi-Tek is one who has helped bring back a certain level of artistic integrity to the craft of production through a diverse and inventive collection of hip hop and R&B beats. If there is anyone who brought attention back to the raw, classic elements of using a simple setup for sample manipulation of vinyl while pushing it to new heights, it is Hi-Tek.



Hi-Tek has done a good job in remaining an influential creative force by surpassing the level of underground collaborations which defined his name and sound, going on to work with artists of mainstream and use more diverse sonic palettes. Although there have been many gems dropped by Hi-Tek since his success in working as an in-house producer, his debut classic "Train Of Thought" with Talib Kweli may be his defining album as an artist. It is one of only a few albums I can truly think of post-2000 as "a work of art", showing the desirable results to be obtained through combined passion, talent and dedication to hip hop's history and artform. Many album releases of hip hop after "Train Of Thought" are pale in comparison to the ideas Hi-Tek brought in providing compositions of sound that evoke emotion, play on deeper levels of the imagination and elevate the verbal imagery brought to you by the lyricist.

In this video, Hi-Tek gives a brief history of how he came into recognition as a hip hop producer by linking with Talib Kweli to form Reflection Eternal in the late 90's, gives upcoming artists advice on how to follow the right path and shares hsi opinions of the direction of hip hop music into the future. Check for some dope footage in between the interview of Kweli & Hi-Tek performing live as RE for a Canadian crowd.