Hi-Tek is undoubtedly one of the most influential and recognized hip-hop producers in the game. Working with artists like Talib Kweli, 50 Cent, Mos Def, Lloyd Banks, and more, Tek is also a staff producer and talent scout for Dr. Dre’s Aftermath production team. His new album, “Hi-Teknology 3″, is in stores now, and Tek recently took time out of his busy day to speak with iStandard’s Don Di Napoli for this exclusive and candid interview… My phone interview with Hi-Tek was scheduled for 2pm on a cloudy and cold Tuesday afternoon in December, when I got a call at 1pm from Kasper Claremont (Executive Assistant at Money Management Group), that we may have to push the interview up. “Tek has a video shoot at 2:30 man, can you do like 1:15? My bad on the short notice Don.” Since I was in the middle of a few things at the time, I scampered to gather my notes, set up the digital recorder, and put in the call. I expected to feel rushed, so I prepared to cut out a few questions and focus more so on the production side of things. After waiting a few minutes, Hi-Tek answered in such a cool, calm, and collected demeanor, that I swore the man took the call laying poolside with a frozen drink in San Tropez. But that was not the case at all; he had just finished a handful of interviews, and was on his way to film a video for the new single, (“Ohio All Stars” featuring some of the state’s hottest MC’s, which he hand-picked), off his critically-acclaimed “Hi-Teknology 3″ album, released December 11, 2007 on Babygrande Records. That levelheadedness and sense of poise demonstrated a true veteran presence, even though Hi-Tek is a still a fairly young man and still admittedly “has a lot of learning to do, and is still growing myself”. Hi-Tek hails from Cincinnati, Ohio, which he calls “an underrated, soul-based city, sandwiched between the coasts”, where legends such as James Brown, whose first record deal was via Cincinnati-based Federal Records, and native Bootsy Collins recorded some of their most respected work. “Man Bootsy is where Africa Bambaataa got his influence from,” Tek proudly stated, “But the Nati ain’t what it used to be, but it’s coming back. I think.” Hi-Tek purposely represents his city at all times, as you rarely see him sans his signature Cincinnati Reds fitted cap. So how did a young cat from Ohio help shape the underground sound of NYC in the late 90’s, stamping his signature sound onto artists such as Talib Kweli, Mos Def, Kool G. Rap, Big L, and others? “My hunger, stacks & stacks of beats, a fresh sound of the Midwest, and like Jay-Z says, workin’ from the breakfast table.” Hi Tek’s first major project came in 1997 when his fellow Cincinnati natives, Mood, released their album “Doom” on TVT Records. The street as well as the critics spoke in unison. In relation to the production, All Music Guide said “The sampling textures alone on this poppin’ disc make it worth seeking out”. This led to his now-classic work on Mos Def & Talib Kweli’s “Black Star” album, and spawned an entire album with Kweli, “Reflection Eternal”, which Tek produced entirely, and can be seen on many hip-hop fans All-Time Top 10 lists. “Man, if I had to say who my favorite artist of all time to work with would be, I’d have to say Kweli. It was a blessing, he just happened to be as dope on the rhymes as I was on the beats,” he added. His work on “Reflection Eternal” even caught the ears of Snoop Dogg, who enlisted Tek to work on a multitude of projects, and by the end of the millennium Hi-Tek solidified himself as a bonafide “Super-Producer”.

“Music For Life” (from Hi-Teknology 2) is one of my favorite records you have done to date. The message behind it is inspiring and should be used as a remedy for anyone in this game experiencing doubt or a lack of productivity. There’s a verse on that record where you say, “Spending time in the basement kept me from acting up, wishing Dre would check it out. I’m here now”. How did that whole Aftermath situation come about? Did you go to Dre or did Dre come to you? I was shopping beats around, and Dub C was recording, so I gave him a CD. Somehow I think Dub was in a session and he played Dre a track that I had done. Dub gave Dre the beat, and that’s the same beat you hear on the Truth Hurts’ album. From there Dre sent a car for me, and the next thing you knew I was on a plane to LA.

Wow, that sounds like something straight out of a hip-hop fairy tale.
Man, I had been listening to Dre’s music since I was like 8 years old! Dre is like one of those dudes that reminds me of myself. He really is the truth. He reads people well, and he understands that my music comes from the heart, and that’s how you make timeless music. That’s why he fucks wit me. I think it’s more of a feeling thing than a technical thing.

Let’s talk a little about the new album. The now-classic original Hi-Teknology came out back in ’01, and it took 5 years to come out with Hi-Teknology 2 – The Chip (released in late 2006). What motivated you to come out with Volume 3 only a year later?
There’s been a lot of inspiration and talented new artists around me lately (Dion, his R&B artist signed to Aftermat, Riz , Money Management Group’s hip-hop artist, Estelle, Push Montana, L.E.P., etc.), plus the legends like Talib, Ghost, Raekwon, Young Buck, etc.) Plus me wanting to be more consistent. A lotta times if you wait too long you have to reinvent yourself all over again. At the same time I didn’t want to have the Babygrande situation over my head, when I’m trying to work on a lot of major projects. I’m signed to them as an exclusive artist, so as any artist should do, I’m fulfilling my deal. The catch to it is I wish I had more time to just give it what I really wanted. It’s not what I really wanted it to be, but I’m always going to say that. I’m my own worst critic.

One joint that really stands out to me is “My Piano”. Is that record an ode to your favorite instrument?
No, “My Piano” is really about people who have talent and constantly second guess themselves due to their environment. It’s not necessarily about the piano as an instrument.

So it’s more of a metaphor about doing what you do no matter where you are or who doubts you then?
Yeah, it’s more about people in small cities (like Cincinnati) and the haters that can hold you back by wondering why you play your piano and do what you do. Ya see, I come from an era where not everyone was makin’ beats, and those that did more so did it for the love of it than to make money. A lot of people that were just straight hustlin’ would come to the studio and look at me funny, seein’ me there all day and night. That song is for them. I can now tell my grandkids that I stuck it out and made it by workin’ hard and “playing my piano” all day and night.

Amen to that. One thing that I noticed about you is you have a “sound”, which is tough, considering there are so many sounds and so much music out there. How would you define the “Hi-Tek Sound”?
The Hi-Tek sound has been influenced by the East, South, and West. But being from the Natti and how real the city is, I grew up around a lot of dope talented cats, and I just happened to be one of the ones that kept it going. Man, James Brown and Bootsy Collins had their studios here.

Back to your sound, what’s your weapon of choice lately? Are you rockin’ with hardware, software, etc.?
Man, still with the MPC3000 and lately I’ve been going live straight into to Pro-Tools.

Since you’re always around so many talented rappers, do you feel you sometimes get overlooked and underrated as an MC?
As an MC? Nah. I think they give me what I deserve. I didn’t come into the game tryin’ to be super-MC. I get my props when it’s due. When I do drop nobody can really play cuz they know I’m in the pocket, and it’s more about the presence of the producer than what I’m really saying. I think a lot of people just want to hear my voice, that’s more what it’s all about.

Good answer, humble yet confident. Let’s switch gears a little bit; it’s been well-publicized that you are now managed by Sha Money XL of Money Management Group, one of the most respected figures in the game. What’s it like working with him and what has he brought to the table to take your career to the next level?
Sha’s a good brother and to see him on the come-up always inspired me to reach out to him, even when I had other management. I’d always go to him for advice. He’s a good business man, yet he understands music at the same time. You can’t really beat that combination.

We at iStandard have a great relationship and a great deal of respect for Sha, and over the past few years we’ve been working with him on the One Stop Shop Producer’s Conference, where I first met you last year. How do conferences like One Stop Shop and events like the iStandard Producer Showcase help new producers get to that next level?
Ah man for these new producers to be around normal regular cats like myself that just came up in the past 10 years, or cats like Premiere that have been in the game for like 20 years, just to see us in the flesh and talking from the heart, it’s so inspirational to them. I can only imagine if they had those type of events when I was coming up. I’d be first in line asking them everything and anything! (laughs)

I notice a lot of new producers are focusing on making beats and shopping them to A&R’s, established artists, etc., in hopes to land the elusive “first placement”. Do you agree with this method, or do you think a better avenue is to come up with a team of artists, as you did?
I definitely think if you’re already a dope producer, you should sign a hot artist that brings out the best of your sound. You have chance to show more of your “producer-side” and shape an album and show your consistency, as opposed to just making beats. I mean just making beats is a long road, and eventually you will get recognized, but shaping an album can get you to that next level being that Hi-Tek, that Preimo, that Dr. Dre, that Pete Rock. That’s how you can get your name next to us.

I hope every producer takes note of that. I know so many producers that keep hollering at me to get beats to these A&R’s, but I agree with scouting talent, sculpting a sound, and branding what you do thru your artists’ music. Absolutely, man

Any last words of encouragement for the up-and-coming producer?
I just want to say keep it gully, keep it original, and just stay consistent. Practice makes perfect, so you got to stay in the lab to get better at what you doin’. The talent and quality comes natural. Keep trying, and try different things. I think that most producers get the idea, and are probably working while I’m on the phone with you doing an interview (laughs).

Thanks a lot for your time man, best of luck with the album, future projects, and more. I’ll see you out in Arizona, if not before that.
Thanks man, I’ll see you. Good talking to you dog. Peace… FOR MORE ON HI-TEK, VISIT HIS MYSPACE AT www.myspace.com/hitek, AND MAKE SURE YOU PICK UP THAT ALBUM IN STORES OR ONLINE!