DJ Shok Presents "Hi-Tech's Golden Era Singles" (EP Stream)

Here's the first ever anthology release of Yonkers MC Hi-Tech's golden era 12" joints. The release includes 8 tracks, along with the instrumental versions. The production is handled by DJ Shok and Jay Biz and will be available on 2LP vinyl, CD, cassette and digital. If you've been following the blogs over the years going back to my very first site, I've been pushing Hi-Tech's music and DJ Shok's classic production for years. "4 Degrees For The Streets" is still one of the best B-side tracks to come from the underground, independent scene in the 90s, but you'll also recognize "24/7," "Book of Life," "All Time Einstein" and more as well. Big ups to DJ Shok, who has a dope catalog you should already be familiar with. Pick up a copy of this limited release and check Tech's technique below...

Hi-Tech & DJ Shok "Mass Vinyl Unofficial EP" (199x)

Let me first say, this is an unofficial EP. I was a fan of Hi-Tech & DJ Shok's production, just wanted to share some of their records on an old blog I had but since it's still live, figured I'd share it here. H-Tech is a NY cat, signed to DJ Shok's Mass Vinyl Recordings in the mid-90s. In '96, I heard "Book of Life," "Weak Minds" and "4 Degrees For The Streets." It was really "4 Degrees For The Streets" that caught my ear because of the cuts, I thought that shit was super dope. I can't say I had great copies of these records, so apologies for that, I tried to get Eclipse to rip them for me but life always got in the way. There were follow-up releases going through '96 into '97, even saw a compilation EP at one point, too, with artists on the label. Ei8 had a joint that was burning up mixtapes in Queens that flipped the "Cheers" sample, that shit was hard to me at the time too. Peace to Mike Nice who might've sent me a better copy of that record at some point. Stretch & Bobbito would play their records, Red Alert & DJ Eclipse too, which is probably hard for younger fans to understand, but we heard underground artists on the radio often back in the day. I probably should have researched this post, but I try to share from memory, for better or worse, lol. You can also find Hi-Tech on a dope record from Creative & some other joints. Peace to DJ Shok.

Animosity "Get Touched" (12", 1997)

Back in 1997, Broken Records put out this 12" by Animosity called "Get Touched." It was only a 1-track single, but it had production from DJ Shok, who had an endless supply of underground gems, and also landed the hit single "Slippin" from DMX after signing a production deal with Ruff Ryders just a year after this 12" was released. It makes me wonder if any underground MCs passed on the beat to "Slippin" and have been kicking themselves ever since, lol. Nevertheless, him and Jaybiz worked on a lot of stuff together, so seeing them as executive producers on Animosity's "Get Touched" should be more than enough to support it. I can't say that the rhymes or flow are extraordinary, but the beat is as hard as you'd expect with plenty of kick to it. Even if you dig it for the instrumental, it's a 12" you can pick up for a few dollars at most. Listen to the full 12" below...