Description

Hi-Tek – Beatbox Studios 2 [1996 MPC 60II] (LP) [Hi-Tek Music HTK004]

After 25 years of living his dream as one of hip hop’s most respected producers, Hi-Tek is digging back into his roots with a brand new trio of instrumental vinyl LPs.

“Beatbox Studios 2 (1996 MPC 60II)” is the second volume of the series, each featuring a selection of restored and remastered beats, carefully chosen from an archive of DAT tapes. These LPs manage to both provide a window into Tek’s development and to shine light on the work of an already enormously talented musician whose beats would’ve sounded right at home on classic releases from the mid-1990s.

Building on the styles showcased on the first “Beatbox Studios” LP, Hi-Tek was clearly developing his own personal style on the studio’s in-house Akai MPC 60II sampler. The drums were swinging more; the grooves were deeper; the bass thumped harder. Even when choosing familiar samples, he was chopping them in fresh and unexpected ways, which would eventually help shape his signature sound.

As his reputation grew in Cincinnati, his connection with rap group Mood led to more trips to New York City. The beats from “Beatbox Studios 2” and the demo tapes with Mood scored them a record deal in 1996. During that year, he also landed his first major placement on Royal Flush’s album. In 1996, he met Talib Kweli, and together they became an iconic duo in the late-nineties indie-rap scene.

“Beatbox Studios 2 (1996 MPC 60II)” showcases Hi-Tek as a hungry young talent on the rise, and his continued elevation would lead him to a career as one of the few producers who can claim to have worked with such a broad range of legendary artists; from superstars like Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, and Anderson.Paak, to underground heroes like Mos Def, Common, and J Dilla.