Reflection Eternal

Last updated
Reflection Eternal
Origin Brooklyn, New York City, New York;
Cincinnati, Ohio
Genres Hip hop
Years active1997present
Labels Rawkus
Blacksmith
Members Talib Kweli
Hi-Tek

Reflection Eternal is an American hip hop duo composed of emcee Talib Kweli and producer Hi-Tek. They released their first album, Train of Thought , in 2000. They have since released a mixtape, The RE: Union, in late December 2009, and their second album Revolutions Per Minute was released May 18, 2010.

Contents

History

The duo of Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek met in Tek's native Cincinnati, Ohio, following the release of the Hi-Tek/Mood collaboration "Hustle on the Side". Kweli and Hi-Tek made their first official collaboration in 1997 on Mood's debut album, Doom, on the track "Industry Lies". That same year, the two formed as Reflection Eternal, and signed to upstart underground hip hop label Rawkus Records. The tracks from their debut single, "Fortified Live" b/w "2000 Seasons", were included on the Rawkus Records compilation Soundbombing in October 1997. In 1998, Kweli and his high school friend, fellow Rawkus Records artist Mos Def, formed the duo Black Star, and released their first album, Black Star , to rave reviews. Hi-Tek provided production for a number of songs on the album, including the singles "Definition" and "Respiration". The album put the three at the forefront of an underground hip hop scene that appeared at the time to be flagging against the influence of the "Jiggy" era of hip-hop, and was followed by a number of acclaimed collaborations and albums. Kweli and Hi-Tek reconnected in 2000 for the release of their debut album, Train of Thought . Though highly acclaimed, the release did not receive a significant amount of commercial attention, despite the success of the rap hits "Move Somethin'" and "The Blast".

Following the Train of Thought album, the duo split for solo projects, beginning with Hi-Tek's Hi-Teknology , released in 2001, on which Kweli appeared. The album didn't receive as much attention or as many sales as Train of Thought, though the single "Round & Round" became a crossover hit in 2002. Kweli released his first solo album, Quality , in late 2002. In a 2002 interview he also stated that another Reflection Eternal and Black Star album would be released. [1] Hi-Tek was not involved with the project's production, instead featuring beats from artists like Kanye West, DJ Scratch, DJ Quik, Ayatollah and J Dilla. The Kanye West-produced single "Get By" became Kweli's biggest success, charting on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2003. Kweli's second solo album, 2004's The Beautiful Struggle , saw the duo working together once again, with three tracks produced by Hi-Tek. Kweli released his next album, Ear Drum , in 2007, featuring production from Tek; Hi-Tek released the follow-up to his debut, Hi-Teknology 2: The Chip , in 2006 and his third album, Hi-Teknology 3: The Underground , in 2007, both on Babygrande Records and both featuring appearances by Kweli.

The duo announced that another Reflection Eternal album was in the works in 2008. They named their second album Revolutions Per Minute. [2] [3] [4] They played a live reunion gig in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on September 20, 2009. [5] In the same year Bootsy Collins collaborated with Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek on the track "Internet Connection". [6] also a track "Back Again" has been released along with video. They also collaborated with J. Cole, Mos Def, and Jay Electronica on the track "Just Begun". [7] These three songs were released in a mixtape on January 1, 2010, called The Re:Union which received positive fanbase feedback. Their second album Revolutions Per Minute was released on May 18, 2010, with similar praise as their debut album. It spawned 3 singles: "In This World", "Strangers (Paranoid)" featuring former UGK member Bun B, and Midnight Hour featuring Atlantic recording artist Estelle.

Discography

Studio albums

Album information
Train of Thought
  • Released: October 17, 2000
  • Billboard 200 chart position: #17
  • R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #5
  • Singles: "Some Kind of Wonderful", "Move Somethin'"/"Good Mourning", "The Blast"/"Down For The Count"
Revolutions per Minute
  • Released: May 18, 2010
  • Billboard 200 chart position: #18
  • R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #5
  • Singles: "Back Again", "Just Begun", "In This World", "Strangers (Paranoid)", "Midnight Hour"

Singles

YearSongChart positionsAlbum
U.S. Hot 100 U.S. R&B U.S. Rap
2000"Move Somethin'"321Train of Thought
2001"The Blast"
(featuring Vinia Mojica)
482
2009"Back Again"
(featuring Res)
Revolutions per Minute
2010"Just Begun"
(featuring Jay Electronica, J. Cole and Mos Def)
"In This World"
"Strangers (Paranoid)"
(featuring Bun B)
"Midnight Hour"
(featuring Estelle)

Appearances as Reflection Eternal

Other Collaborations

Related Research Articles

Tony Louis Cottrell, better known as Hi-Tek, is an American rapper and music producer from Cincinnati, Ohio. He is best known for his work with Talib Kweli. His father is singer Willie Cottrell of the Willie Cottrell Band, whom Hi-Tek featured on his second album, Hi-Teknology 2.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rawkus Records</span> American record label

Rawkus Records was an American hip hop record label, owned by James Murdoch, known for starting the careers of many rappers. Rawkus started in 1995 with releases in hip-hop, drum and bass and fun-dustrial.

<i>Quality</i> (Talib Kweli album) 2002 studio album by Talib Kweli

Quality is the first studio album by American rapper Talib Kweli. The album was released on November 19, 2002, by Rawkus Records. It received wide critical acclaim and had some commercial appeal from the song "Get By", produced by Kanye West. Kludge magazine included it on their list of best albums of 2002.

<i>Soundbombing II</i> 1999 compilation album by Rawkus Records

Soundbombing II is the second installment in Rawkus Records' Soundbombing compilation series, released by the label on May 18, 1999. Mixed by DJ Babu and J Rocc of Beat Junkies, the album included tracks from a variety of artists, both Rawkus' signees and popular artists from other labels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vinia Mojica</span> American hip hop musician

Vinia A. Mojica is an American singer from Queens, New York. She is best known for her collaborations with the Native Tongues collective and other hip hop artists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black Star (rap duo)</span> American hip hop duo from New York

Black Star is an American hip hop duo formed in 1996, from Brooklyn, New York City. The duo is composed of rappers Yasiin Bey and Talib Kweli. The duo is named after The Black Star Line, a shipping company founded by Marcus Garvey. Their critically-acclaimed debut album Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star was released on September 29, 1998. After decades of only releasing singles and appearing on compilations, Black Star released their sophomore studio album No Fear of Time May 3, 2022 on the podcasting platform Luminary.

<i>Lyricist Lounge 2</i> 2000 hip hop compilation album

Lyricist Lounge 2 is the fourth hip hop compilation album by American record label Rawkus Records. It was released on November 28, 2000, as the second installment of Lyricist Lounge album series, based on New York's Lyricist Lounge showcases.

<i>Best of Decade I: 1995–2005</i> 2005 greatest hits album by Rawkus Records

Best of Decade I: 1995–2005 is a compilation album, featuring singles released on Rawkus Records during their first ten years. The compilation revolves around the label's star Mos Def, who appears on eight of the fifteen tracks. There is one previously unreleased track featured on the album, which is the Mos Def song "Beef".

<i>Hi-Teknology²: The Chip</i> 2006 studio album by Hi-Tek

Hi-Teknology²: The Chip is a sequel album to Hip hop producer Hi-Tek's first album, Hi-Teknology. Born as Tony Cottrell, He had spent most of his time in the low key hip-hop scene of Cincinnati, Ohio who eventually ran into Mood in 1992. Working with them kickstarted his career and affiliated himself with many MCs. He is best known for his collaboration with Talib Kweli on the album Reflection Eternal. He rose in popularity with the underground hip-hop scene and has worked alongside many talented even Grammy-nominated artists such as 50 Cent and Busta Rhymes. Although working with many talented artists and having a huge impact working with Rawkus Records Collective, it was time for him to show off his own unique abilities which led to his three solo albums. The release of his sequel album Hi-Teknology gained quick recognition and was soon to be sought after by many up-and-coming artists to produce their own albums.

<i>Train of Thought</i> (Reflection Eternal album) 2000 studio album by Reflection Eternal

Train of Thought is the debut album of American hip hop duo Reflection Eternal, released October 17, 2000, on Rawkus Records. Collaborating as a duo, rapper Talib Kweli and DJ and hip hop producer Hi-Tek recorded the album during 1999 to 2000, following their individual musical work that gained notice in New York's underground scene during the late 1990s. Kweli had previously worked with rapper Mos Def as the duo Black Star, and Hi-Tek had served as producer on the duo's debut album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One-Nine-Nine-Nine</span> 1999 single by Common featuring Sadat X and Talib Kweli

"One-Nine-Nine-Nine"/"Like They Used to Say" is a double A-Side single by rapper Common. "One-Nine-Nine-Nine" is featured on Soundbombing II, a compilation album by Rawkus Records released in 1999. The song features an introduction by Talib Kweli, guest rapping by Sadat X and production by Hi-Tek. A music video was released for it, which also featured briefs cameos from Jeru The Damaja and Harold Hunter. Additionally, Rawkus Records featured it in their Best of Decade I: 1995-2005 compilation. Common's vocals on the song were sampled in "Mic Like a Memory" by Cunninlynguists.

"The Blast" is a hip hop single from Reflection Eternal's debut album, Train of Thought. It features rapping from the duo's emcee, Talib Kweli, as well as from its producer, DJ Hi-Tek. It is the only Reflection Eternal song that Hi-Tek raps on, and like all Reflection Eternal songs, he produces it. The song has a somber and jazzy beat backed by vocals from Vinia Mojica. It has a music video directed by Little X in which Kweli and Hi-Tek are rapping in a rainstorm. Yasiin Bey aka Mos Def, Pharaohe Monch and Kweli's grandmother, Javotti Greene make cameo appearances. The music video version is extended in length, and gives Talib Kweli an extra verse. The song peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks and #49 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and was engineered by Guy Snider. The official remix features new verses by Talib Kweli as well as neo-soul singer Erykah Badu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Respiration (song)</span> 1999 single by Black Star featuring Common

"Respiration" is a song by American rappers Mos Def and Talib Kweli, collectively known as Black Star. It was released as the second single from the duo’s eponymously titled 1998 album. It features a guest verse from fellow American rapper Common and guitar playing by DeChown Jenkins. The song’s production was handled by Hi-Tek, who sampled "The Fox" as performed by Don Randi. In addition, the song's introduction samples a monologue from the hip hop documentary Style Wars. It is found on Best of Decade I: 1995-2005, a compilation of Rawkus Records' best songs. It can also be found on Howie B's compilation album Another Late Night: Howie B. The single reached #54 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yasiin Bey discography</span>

The discography of Yasiin Bey, formerly known as Mos Def, an American rapper, consists of four solo albums, two compilation albums, and several singles. Bey began his hip hop career in 1994 in the underground rap group UTD alongside his sibling group members DCQ and Ces, after which he pursued a solo career. In 1998, he made his mainstream debut on Rawkus Records in the duo Black Star with rapper Talib Kweli. "Definition", the lead single from Black Star's self-titled debut album, reached No. 60 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 3 on the Hot Rap Singles chart.

<i>Revolutions per Minute</i> (Reflection Eternal album) 2010 studio album by Reflection Eternal

Revolutions per Minute is the second studio album by American hip hop duo Reflection Eternal, released May 18, 2010, on Blacksmith Records and Rawkus Records. Composed of rapper Talib Kweli and DJ/hip hop producer Hi-Tek, it is the duo's follow-up to their collaborative debut Train of Thought (2000).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">D Prosper</span> Musical artist

D. (Derick) Prosper began his career as a poet on the NPS National Poetry Slam circuit. He won several regional competitions and featured on the 1994 Providence Poetry Slam Team. D. Prosper was the youngest poet featured on the tour. He ranked fourth in the nation at the NPS finals in Asheville, North Carolina. Prosper was also featured in respected publication Fast Folk Music Magazine. He eventually earned a coveted spot on the 1994 Lollapalooza Tour D. Prosper's love of spoken word poetry ignited his passion for hip-hop music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Talib Kweli</span> American rapper (born 1975)

Talib Kweli Greene is an American rapper. He earned recognition through his collaboration with fellow Brooklyn rapper Mos Def in 1997, when they formed the group Black Star. Kweli's musical career continued with solo success including collaborations with producers and rappers Kanye West, Just Blaze, and Pharrell Williams. In 2011, Kweli founded his own record label, Javotti Media.

"Just Begun" is a song by American hip hop duo Reflection Eternal, composed of New York rapper Talib Kweli and Ohio producer Hi-Tek. The song was released on February 2, 2010, as the second single from their second studio album Revolutions per Minute (2010). The song is a posse cut featuring verses from rappers Jay Electronica, J. Cole and Mos Def, the latter of whom also forms a duo with Talib Kweli, known collectively as Black Star.

<i>Soundbombing</i> 1997 compilation album by Rawkus Records

Soundbombing is a hip hop compilation album by Rawkus Records, released on October 14, 1997. The album helped launch the careers of Mos Def and Reflection Eternal, who later became Rawkus's most popular artists. Soundbombing is regarded as a "scene-defining" underground hip hop album.

References

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  2. "musicclub.com: The Leading Club Music Site on the Net" . Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  3. "Talib Kweli Playing It By Ear; Says New Reflection Eternal LP Is In Motion". MTV News. Archived from the original on February 18, 2008. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  4. "Exclusive Hip Hop News, Audio, Lyrics, Videos, Honeys, Wear, Sneakers, Download Mixtapes". Archived from the original on 12 April 2009. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  5. "8th Annual Manifesto Festival of Community & Culture". MANIFESTO. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  6. Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine : "Reflection Eternal - Internet Connection 2009 NEW!!!". YouTube. 25 February 2009. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  7. "Reflection Eternal - "Just Begun" feat. Jay Electronica, J. Cole, & Mos Def".