Search - Hi-Tek :: Hi-Teknology, Vol. 2: The Chip

3 1/2 stars - an overall dope product

E.J. Rupert | Milwaukee, WI | 10/18/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Hi-Tek - Hi-Teknology 2: The Chip (Babygrande, 2006)



Between 2000 and '01, next to DJ Premier and The Alchemist, Hi-Tek was THE producer to work with. Thus, after his first Hi-Teknology album, he spent a lot of time producing for others, most notably for Dr. Dre's Aftermath camp, including G Unit. But if he didn't become a household name even from that affiliation, he hopes to change that with Hi-Teknology 2: The Chip.



I used to think that Tek's productions became watered-down after working with G Unit but he gets some of his swagger back on this album. You won't find anything as hard-hitting as "The Sun God" here but that's only because his beats sound more catered to the guest stars present (we don't necessarily need another showcase of Tek's talents).



With that said, there are a couple of tight tracks on here like the single, "Where It Started At" featuring singer Dion and rappers Raekwon, Jadakiss, and Papoose, who continues in his show-stealing role. But 'Kiss does drop a funny line about folks in New York wearing bootleg Jordans because they can't afford the real thing; I thought that only happened here in Milwaukee. Other powerful songs are "Music for Life" featuring Nas, Common, Tek himself, Floetry's Marsha and the late J. Dilla; "So Tired" featuring Bun B, Devin the Dude and Pretty Ugly (who is another very promising rapper); "Keep It Moving" featuring Q-Tip and Kurupt (who both got their swagger back for this song); and "Josephine" featuring Ghostface Killah, Pretty Ugly again and Tek's dad's band, The Willie Cottrell Band. And if you're lucky to get the limited edition, there's a dope bonus track featuring Talib Kweli, Slim Thug and a revitalized Snoop Dogg (which ain't surprising because he and Tek usually work great together).



On the same token, there are a handful of tracks that don't cut it. "March" is another been-there-done-that Busta Rhymes track while The Game does his usual annoying name-dropping affair on "1-800-HOMICIDE". "Can We Go Back" has a too-short Kweli verse while Ayak croons off-key and "Money Don't Make U Rich" still doesn't show why Xzibit's crew, Strong Arm Steady, is worthy. Elsewhere, the syrupy, mainstream sounds of Czar*Nok's "Baby We Can Do It" might make you break the fast-forward button.



But you would still be hard-pressed to find a better rap compilation this year and it's good that Tek got his family involved (his son, Lil' Tone, performs "Think I Got a Beat", and The Willie Cottrell Band, while not the best singers in the world, still delivers some goods throughout the album). Tek also drops bars here and there like on the aforementioned "Music for Life" and his solo, "The Chip" and he don't sound half-bad. But fans will buy this album just to hear his beats and ultimately, they'll be pleased with even more than that. -EJR"

One of the finest releases of 2006.

Pablo | 10/18/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hi-Tek's second installment of his Hi-Teknology saga is a much more balanced, and finer product than the first. The young, inspiring producer has obviously learned quite a lot as one of Aftermath's heavyweight producers, with Dr. Dre as his mentor, and Dre's influence on Tek is evident in a few of the tracks on this album. At the same time, Hi-Tek's production remains as original as its ever been.



Tracks like "Where It Started At," which is one of the hottest singles released this year, put this album in the territory it's reached. Jadakiss, Papoose, Raekwon, and Talib all guest on that song, and as can be expected from those four talented emcees, this posse cut is undeniably ill. Dion is also on the hook, and he finds himself on this album quite a good bit; which is actually welcome, seeing as he has a pleanant tone of voice, which is different from most R&B cats out today.



"1-800 Homicide" is, musically, a trip back to Dre's style on 2001; in fact, the beat would sound completely at home on that album had it not come out 7 years ago. The Game and Dion are both on this track, and while The Game delivers his typical name-dropping fare, Dion provides an infectious hook, and the beat is too hard to pass up. It's only a shame how criminally short this song is.



"Music For Life" is the most powerful cut on the album, featuring Busta Rhymes, Nas, Marsha(of Floetry), Common, and the late Dilla. Now, while I'm all for preserving Dilla's legacy, and I know his friends lost a great person, I really think that he's being slightly over-exposed by his friends, as he's had numerous songs in dedication to him on some of 2006's most acclaimed releases. I say this out of complete respect for Jay Dee himself; I don't want to see his legacy disgraced in the same way other hip-hop artists are after they leave this earth. Nonetheless, this is still an amazing song. Everyone drops an ill verse, and the production is top-notch, much like everything else found on the album.



Other stand-out tracks include "The Chip," "Keep It Moving," "Josephine," and "So Tired." With the all-star casts, including hip-hop heavyweights like Ghostface Killah, Q-Tip, Busta Rhymes, Raekwon, Common, Talib Kweli, The Game, Jadakiss, and Nas, to highly underrated emcees like Devin The Dude, Bun B, and Papoose, this album delivers from start to finish, and should move a decent amount of units. No matter how well it sells, it's still one of this year's finest achievements, and Hi-Tek was able to compile one dope album."

Hi tek - whats the deal?

Patrick J. Montalvo | Florida , repin BX ! | 12/11/2006

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I listened to all the tracks on this album and I cant understand. Hi-tek-you can do way better than this. Ive heard your work in the past and I know your potential, you can come with better beats than this for real. Lyricist lounge 2 and others you did had way iller beats. I guess you've been away for too long."