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.
Where I'm From
Hi-Tek Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Uh, uh cause anybody can get it
Anybody anybody can get it (project shit)
Real recognize real, uh yeah yeah uh
This as real as it gets
Uh-huh, this as real as it gets
Ayo, uh, uh (yeah)
Ayo, ayo, ayo
Ayo I'm from where they bust guns, killin and shit
Thugs sellin drugs, killin the strip, dealin with bricks
From my hood to why'all hood, feel this shit
Real recognize real this as real as it gets
Ayo, ayo Jinx Da Juvenile, yeah I was one of them bastards
Bustin them ratchets, before this rap shit
I copped coke cut it and bagged it, twelve twelve
Stuffin the plastic the strip was flooded with traffic
I'm from a hood where they rep in wool
Lil' niggaz pants baggy, sketz(?) is long
In bang-outs I leave a nigga stomach where his chest belong
Now that's what you call leavin a nigga dead wrong
I live for gunplay
Deuce-fives is easy to carry but I love eights
Anybody can get it, fuck Jake, I spit in a judge face
Who schemin on the kid, who grillin the watch?
Like if I ain't the kid who be spittin them shots
Run in your crib, grippin the glock
Leave yo' ass in the kitchen witcha brains in the cereal box
Real recognize real whether you feel it or not
Ayo straight out the ville before my deal slung drugs in the basement
Now I'm in the booth spittin 'til my lungs cave in
I gotta supply the fam
So if The Source givin out five mics, I want five grams
Keep a revolver cause nines jam
Abg Anybody-Can-Get-It, I die for the fam
Die for the love of the strip, either way I'm gonna get rich
Catch the kid sunk in a 6
Jewels is heavy, flooded the wrists, my team stuff they clips
Keep it gangsta a hundred percent
Who think not? Who really want to see how Jinx rock
Like I ain't been doin this since Pampers and slingshots? (What?)
Half why'all rap niggaz talk the nonsense
I live this shit why'all soft as cotton
While why'all was in school I was in Spofford boxin
Real recognize real I keep the larcen' poppin
Yeah, ABG Anybody-Can-Get-It
Black Jesus, Alaska, Loose Cannon
Pow Wow the Don, Mil-lion (What?)
This is my year, the why-2-K kid, uh
Def Jam, Rawkus, from my hood to your hood
Feel this shit, this as real as it gets
The song "Where I'm From" by Hi-Tek feat. Jinx Da Juvy is an intense and gritty track that speaks to the harsh realities of living in the projects. The lyrics depict a violent environment where guns and drugs are readily available, and where one's survival is dependent on their ability to navigate these dangerous conditions. The repeated phrase "Anybody can get it" is a reminder that anyone, regardless of their status or reputation, is vulnerable to the violence of the streets.
Jinx Da Juvy describes his past experiences as a drug dealer who was in constant danger of being caught by the police or targeted by rival gang members. He also boasts of his sharpshooting skills and a willingness to use violence to protect himself and his crew. The song speaks to the camaraderie and loyalty that exists within these communities, as Juvy also makes it clear that he is willing to die for his friends and loved ones.
Overall, "Where I'm From" is a powerful and intense track that offers a glimpse into the harsh reality of life in the projects. It pulls no punches and offers no easy answers, but instead serves as a reflection of the struggles, dangers, and camaraderie that exist in these communities.
Line by Line Meaning
Ayo I'm from where they bust guns, killin and shit
I come from a place where people frequently use guns to commit murder and other violent crimes
Thugs sellin drugs, killin the strip, dealin with bricks
Drug dealers who engage in violence and criminal activity also sell bricks of drugs in my area
From my hood to why'all hood, feel this shit
The same problems and issues exist in my neighborhood as in yours, so listen up
Real recognize real this as real as it gets
Authentic people recognize and relate to the authenticity of this music, it doesn't get any more real than this
Ayo, ayo Jinx Da Juvenile, yeah I was one of them bastards
My name is Jinx Da Juvenile, and I was one of the troublemakers growing up
Bustin them ratchets, before this rap shit
I was firing guns, getting into trouble, and committing crimes before I started rapping
I'm from a hood where they rep in wool
In my neighborhood, people support and represent their local gangs or groups by wearing wool clothing
Lil' niggaz pants baggy, sketz(?) is long
Young people in my area wear loose-fitting pants and carry guns with long barrels
In bang-outs I leave a nigga stomach where his chest belong
When I get into violent confrontations, I make sure my opponent knows they messed with the wrong person
Now that's what you call leavin a nigga dead wrong
That is how you make sure someone is dead
I live for gunplay
I enjoy and engage in violent activities involving firearms
Deuce-fives is easy to carry but I love eights
I prefer to use guns with a larger caliber over smaller, easier-to-handle firearms
Anybody can get it, fuck Jake, I spit in a judge face
I don't care who gets hurt, even cops or judges, and I'm willing to disrespect them
Who schemin on the kid, who grillin the watch?
Who is plotting against me or trying to steal my valuables?
Like if I ain't the kid who be spittin them shots
As if I'm not the one firing the guns
Run in your crib, grippin the glock
I will break into your home while holding a handgun
Leave yo' ass in the kitchen witcha brains in the cereal box
I will kill you and leave your body in the kitchen with your head in the cereal box
Real recognize real whether you feel it or not
Authentic people know and see the truth regardless of whether others choose to acknowledge it
Ayo straight out the ville before my deal slung drugs in the basement
I sold drugs out of my basement before I became a professional rapper
Now I'm in the booth spittin 'til my lungs cave in
Now I make music non-stop until I can barely breathe
I gotta supply the fam
I need to provide for my family, and selling drugs or making music is how I do it
So if The Source givin out five mics, I want five grams
If I'm getting five stars in a music review, I also expect five grams of drugs as payment
Keep a revolver cause nines jam
I carry a revolver as a backup weapon because larger guns like a 9mm often malfunction
Abg Anybody-Can-Get-It, I die for the fam
I'm part of ABG (Anybody Can Get It) and I'm willing to die for my gang or family
Die for the love of the strip, either way I'm gonna get rich
I will risk my life for my neighborhood and my financial gain
Catch the kid sunk in a 6
You'll find me driving a luxurious 6-figure car
Jewels is heavy, flooded the wrists, my team stuff they clips
I wear expensive and flashy jewelry, and my associates are always armed
Keep it gangsta a hundred percent
I maintain my tough, street-wise image with total commitment
Who think not? Who really want to see how Jinx rock
Who is doubting me? Who is willing to challenge me and see how I perform?
Like I ain't been doin this since Pampers and slingshots? (What?)
As if I haven't been involved in street violence since I was a baby
Half why'all rap niggaz talk the nonsense
Many of you rappers talk about nothing important
I live this shit why'all soft as cotton
I actually experience the things I rap about, while you other rappers are weak and soft
While why'all was in school I was in Spofford boxin
While you were in school, I was in a reform school for juvenile delinquents learning how to fight
Real recognize real I keep the larcen' poppin
Genuine people see and acknowledge my authenticity, and I always keep my criminal activity going strong
This is my year, the why-2-K kid, uh
This is the year I'm going to make it big, I'm part of the Y2K generation
Def Jam, Rawkus, from my hood to your hood
I'm signed with major record labels Def Jam and Rawkus, and my music appeals to people from all neighborhoods
Feel this shit, this as real as it gets
Listen to my music and understand that it represents the reality of my life and community
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Tony Cottrell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind