Hi-Tek (born Tony Cottrell) is an American hip hop producer from Cincinnati, Ohio. With Mood, Hi-Tek had a regional hit with "Hustle on the Side", off the album Doom, which featured among others Brooklyn MC Talib Kweli. Talib and Hi-Tek clicked immediately, and 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) made Train of Thought (2000), with raps by Talib Kweli and beats by Hi-Tek. It enjoyed moderate crossover success with the single "The Blast", although the pair have yet to release a follow-up album.

After signing to Rawkus Records, Tek produced for some of their projects, including the moderately popular Soundbombing series, a three-record compilation of Rawkus artists. During his tenure there, he grew unhappy with their treatment of him, such as a time they forced him to give a beat he'd produced for Snoop Dogg to label signee Kool G Rap instead, who didn't even want the beat.

In 2001, he released his solo album Hi-Teknology on the label. The album was a compilation of tracks from artists like Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Vinia Mojica, Buckshot, and others, all produced by Hi-Tek. The album was noted for its production; but due to poor promotion, it had little commercial success sans the remix of "Round and Round" with Cincinnati singer Jonell. Hi-Tek wasn't pleased with the job Rawkus did with his album, and he soon left the label shortly after its release, and about the same time they collapsed from disorganization. He then signed to MCA Records after the song "Round and Round" became an underground hit. While signed to MCA, Hi-Tek made Hi-Teknology 2 and produced Jonell's debut album for Def Jam. None of these albums were released.

Currently, Hi-Tek is working as a staff producer for Aftermath Entertainment and its affiliates, as well as past associates such as Kweli and Mos Def.

Selected production credits

• Mood - Doom (1997)
• Black Star - Mos Def and Talib Kweli are Black Star (1998) (contributed 5 tracks)
• Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek - Train Of Thought (2000)
• Hi-Tek - Hi-Teknology (2001)
• Hi-Tek - Hi-Teknology 2 (upcoming future release)

Hi-Tek has provided production services to a variety of hip-hop and R&B artists, some of which include:

• Talib Kweli - "2000 Seasons", "The Express", "Back Up Offa Me"
• Common - "One-Nine-Nine-Nine", "Tekzilla"
• Syleena Johnson f/ Mos Def - "Hit On Me" (Remix)
• Morcheeba f/ Talib Kweli - "Let Me See" (Remix)
• Tha Eastsidaz - "Eastside Ridaz", "Cool"
• Blackalicious - "It's Going Down"
• Soulive f/ Talib Kweli - "Bridge To Bama" (Remix)
• Cocoa Brovaz - "Get Up"
• Jonell - "Round and Round"
• Planet Asia & Grand Agent - "It's Only Right"
• Boot Camp Clik - "Ice Skate"
• Snoop Dogg - "I Believe in You", "No Thang on Me"
• Cormega - "Take These Jewels"
• Phife Dawg - "Flawless"
• Truth Hurts - "Hollywood"
• Mos Def - "Next Universe"
• G-Unit - "G-Unit", "Eye for Eye"
• Lloyd Banks - "I Get High"
• 50 Cent - "Get in My Car", "Ryder Music", "Best Friend"
• The Game - "Runnin"
• Xzibit f/ Busta Rhymes - "Tough Guy"
• Busta Rhymes f/ Nas - "Rough Around the Edges"
• Bizarre f/ Obie Trice - Doctor Doctor

Hip hop producers | American hip hop musicians | American record producers | Artist-producers