Early career
Hi-Tek started his rap career with hip hop group Mood and had a regional hit with "Hustle on the Side". That song was made for Mood's album Doom, which featured amongst 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) released Train of Thought (2000) on Rawkus Records, with raps by Talib Kweli and beats by Hi-Tek. It enjoyed moderate crossover radio success with the single "The Blast" and eventually earned Gold status in record sales. The pair have yet to release a follow-up album due to creative differences.
Current career
After signing to Rawkus Records, Tek produced for some of their projects, including the 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, who didn't want the beat.
In 2001, he released his solo album Hi-Teknology on Rawkus. The album featured raps by artists like Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Vinia Mojica, Buckshot, and others, all produced by Hi-Tek. It received some critical acclaim and spawned a minor hit "Round and Round" with Cincinnati singer Jonell.
Although the record sold over 250,000 copies, Hi-Tek wasn't pleased with the job Rawkus did with his album, and he left the label shortly after its release. He then signed to MCA Records after the song "Round and Round" became an underground hit. While signed to MCA, Hi-Tek produced the album Hi-Teknology 2 and produced Jonell's debut album for Def Jam, though neither 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. He is also recording songs for Dion, an R&B singer signed to Aftermath. Hi-Teknology 2 was released October 17, 2006 on Babygrande, and distributed by Koch Entertainment. The producer released the third installment, Hi-Teknology 3: Underground on December 11, 2007.
Hi-Tek was featured on the cover of Beyond Race magazine for the publication's winter 2008 issue.
Round and Round
Hi-Tek Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah-huh, yeah-huh, yeahhhhh, yeahhhh, ohhhhhhh
I try and I try to stop the forces that go round in my head and I
thought you were the one to understand
You turned my darkness towards the light
But once again you touched my hopes to pain
My soul's the same, my tears start flitting in the rain
I'm fallin again.. fallin again..
(Chorus 2X's)
I really don't know what you came here for
Round and around we go!
Consider your bags outside the door
Round and around we go!
[Jonell]
If you don't understand where I'm comin from
then my heart is tellin me you're not the one
All the games you played and now you lied
You're not the one, for me no more so baby bye bye
Pack yo' bags and get to steppin
You got to let it go you need to stop trippin
I hope you don't think I'll let you back in
cause youse, a, fool
[Chorus]
[Jonell]
It's gonna rain, it's gonna rain
It's gonna rain, it's gonna rain
It's gonna rain, it's gonna rain
It's gonna rain, it's gonna rain
To-day I made up my mind - to get away
Every-day, I sit and pray, everyday, every-day
To-day I made up my mind - to get away
Every-day, I sit and pray, everyday, every-day
(Chorus 2X's)
[Jonell]
Every-day, every (round and around we go)
To get away, away (round and around we go)
Hi-Tek (round and around we go)
Round and round, round and round (round and around we go)
We go round, and, round
We go in-side-out (round and around we go)
We go back, and, forth
We go round, and round (round and around we go)
Did you hear me?
The lyrics to Hi-Tek's song "Round and Round" as performed by Jonell are a heartfelt expression of a relationship gone wrong. Jonell sings of trying to stop the negative thoughts and emotions running through her head and finding solace in her partner. However, she soon discovers that her partner is not the understanding person she thought they were and has turned her hopes into pain. Jonell cannot take it anymore and tells her partner to pack their bags and leave. She reflects on her decision, realizing that it is time for her to make a change and get away from the negative relationship.
The chorus repeats the phrase "round and around we go" to emphasize the endless cycle of the negative relationship. It suggests that the actions and emotions of the couple are circular and repetitive, as they continue to make the same mistakes over and over again. Jonell has finally had enough and is urging her partner to consider leaving since they do not understand where she is coming from.
The line "It's gonna rain" is repeated several times, almost like a mantra, and evokes the feeling of impending doom. It suggests that the relationship is coming to an end, and the rains are a metaphor for the tears that will follow. Jonell repeats the lines "to get away" and "every day, I sit and pray," indicating that she is trying to escape the situation and praying for guidance.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah-huh, yeah-huh, yeahhhhh, yeahhhh, ohhhhhhh
Jonell expresses her emotions of sadness and disappointment with multiple yeahs and an oh.
I try and I try to stop the forces that go round in my head and I thought you were the one to understand
Jonell tries hard to control her chaotic thoughts, and she believed that her partner would understand her.
You turned my darkness towards the light
Jonell's lover helped her emerge from her darkness and into the light.
But once again you touched my hopes to pain
Jonell's hopes were shattered by her partner's actions, resulting in her emotional pain.
My soul's the same, my tears start flitting in the rain
Despite her disappointment, Jonell remains the same, but her tears start to blend with the rain.
I'm fallin again.. fallin again..
Jonell feels as if she is falling apart and losing control of herself once more.
I really don't know what you came here for
Jonell expresses her confusion regarding why her partner is present and what their true intentions are.
Round and around we go!
The repetition of the chorus represents the endless cycle of their tumultuous relationship.
Consider your bags outside the door
Jonell instructs her partner to pack their bags and leave because she no longer wants them around.
If you don't understand where I'm comin from then my heart is tellin me you're not the one
Jonell confronts her partner, explaining that if they can't empathize with her, she doesn't believe they are suited for each other.
All the games you played and now you lied
Jonell's partner is accused of playing mind games and lying to her, leading to the demise of their relationship.
You're not the one, for me no more so baby bye bye
Jonell asserts that her partner is no longer the one for her, so they must say goodbye.
Pack yo' bags and get to steppin
Jonell urges her partner to pack their belongings and leave immediately.
You got to let it go you need to stop trippin
Jonell advises her partner to move on and stop dwelling on their failed relationship.
I hope you don't think I'll let you back in cause youse, a, fool
Jonell declares that she won't allow her partner back into her life, labeling them a fool.
It's gonna rain, it's gonna rain
Jonell repeats the phrase as a metaphor for her tears and the end of her relationship.
To-day I made up my mind - to get away
Jonell has come to a decision to leave her partner and start over again.
Every-day, I sit and pray, everyday, every-day
Jonell repeats the previous phrase as an indication that she prays every day, possibly for guidance or strength during this difficult time.
Round and round, round and round (round and around we go)
Jonell references the cycle of their relationship again, emphasizing how they continue to repeat the same patterns.
Did you hear me?
Jonell concludes the song by asking if her partner heard what she had to say and if they understand her decision to leave.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC , Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CLIFFORD SMITH, TERRANCE COTTRELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind