Sample Flips: Hi-Tek – “Where It Started At (NY)” Ft. Jadakiss, Papoose, Talib Kweli, and Raekwon (Prod. By Hi-Tek)

By Amir Ali Said On May 27, 2021

Hi-Tek is a producer and rapper from Cincinnati, Ohio. He started his career with Mood, a local hip hop crew from Cincinnati, and he produced most of their debut album, Doom (1997). While working on the album, he met Talib Kweli, and that led to Hi-Tek producing a number of songs on Black Star’s (Talib Kweli and Mos Def’s) debut album, Black Star (1998). Two years later, Hi-Tek and Talib Kweli formed their own duo called Reflection Eternal. Hi-Tek’s early success led to a deal with Rawkus Records in 2001. That same year, he released his debut album, Hi-Teknology. His first album was moderately successful, and Hi-Tek wasn’t happy with his label’s promotional efforts, so he left the label and signed with MCA Records.

During this time, Hi-Tek was also producing for artists like Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, and The Game. However, the recording of his second album stalled at MCA Records, and it was never released. He changed labels once more and began recording another version of his second album. In 2006, he released his second album, Hi-Teknology²: The Chip on Babygrande Records. The sequel was more successful than the first, and it spawned “Where It Started At (NY),” a dope song featuring NY emcees Jadakiss, Papoose, Talib Kweli, and Raekwon.

Hi-Tek – “Where It Started At (NY)” Ft. Jadakiss, Papoose, Talib Kweli and Raekwon (Prod. By Hi-Tek)

Andy Williams – “Where Do I Begin”