Producer Hi-Tek is hosting a talent search, throughout
the Midwest. Taking place at the Cincinnati Convention Center, the search will
include a panel of judges including executives from Def Jam and MCA.
"I just look for originality, something
that catches my ear, somebody that believes in themselves," Hi-Tek told
AllHipHop.com. "I don’t care if it’s comedy. If its original and different,
I’m with it."
Tek said that over 300 people had signed up hoping
to be discovered. 12 people will make it to the finals, where one person will
emerge victorious.
While Tek said that he wanted to give back to
the Midwest area from which he hails, he said that the winner should be prepared
to work hard to make his or her career take off.
"What I did is I got outta the ‘Nati (Cincinnati).
I was riding on a Greyhound [bus] with a 20-pound MPC. It don’t matter. If it’s
your career, nobody is going to give you anything."
The competition is open to all genres of music
and will be featured on the local UPN television network. Advertisements will
run locally BET and MTV stations as well.
The event takes place March 1 at 8PM. Tickets
are $16.50 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster or by calling: 513.721.6100.
In related news, Hi-Tek is preparing to release
Hi-Teknology, Volume 2. So far the album features guest appearances from Snoop
Dogg, Slum Village, Jonell, Mos Def, Raphael Saddiq and a variety of upcoming
rappers.
