On May 8, 2001, the acclaimed Cincinnati producer Hi-Tek released his debut album, Hi-Teknology.

Riding high on his collaboration with Talib Kweli on Train of Thought (released under the duo's group name, Reflection Eternal), Tek returned a year later to showcase the breadth of his skill with his solo debut. The project, released on Rawkus Records, featured high-profile appearances from Common, Mos Def (now Yasiin Bey), Slum Village, and Buckshot, among others.

The album was led by the catchy single "Round & Round" featuring singer Jonell. A remix for the song later appeared on the How High soundtrack and featured Method Man. The song set the tone for Tek's funky, earthy sound, which was — agile and dense.

With groovy, heavy bass lines and creative samples, tracks such as "The Sun God" featuring Common and Vinia Mojica and "Breakin Bread" were immediate standouts in the album. Common's creative high via his Like Water For Chocolate album, which had arrived a year earlier, was evident in his extra inspired performance.

Another notable standout on an album full of solid entires came courtesy of Mos Def and Vinia Mojica on "Get Ta Steppin'" a two-step ditty that features Mos in his singing element, crooning along side Mojica over a nimble bass line.

A marker of Hi-Tek's standing as one of the most talented beatsmith's in rap, Hi-Teknology, is a groovy entry into his catalog.