He produced Young Buck’s smash “Let Me In,” Game’s “Special” and 50 Cent’s “Piggy Bank” from The Massacre. Get to know Needlz.

Not only is he responsible for Young Buck’s break-out hit and an upcoming 50 heater, but this young Lansing, Michigan-native also crafted the themes for BET’s new “Rap City” and MTV’s “Suckafree Sundays.”

On deck: new joints for Scarface, Redman, Jermaine Dupri, David Banner and more up n’ comers like himself.

Would you divide your career into a pre-“Let Me In” and post-“Let Me In”?
I think there was another beat I had out there. It didn’t really get a lot of play. I did “Think Ya’ll Know” for Fabolous. I thought that caught a few ears because it was different. That’s my sound. But “Let Me In” has definitely been big for me. It’s my first lead single for a big artist. I think when people hear 50’s “Piggy Bank,” it doesn’t sound the same, but they’ll be able to put two and two together. They’ll hear some of the same characteristics even though the beats are different.

Are you more sough-after now though?
More so from press. “Let Me In” was a big record but you got to keep it going. I need another single out right now. The 50 single will help. You’re as hot as your last record. A lot of people have been checking for me. I think not only that record, but another record, “Bang Bang” that I did on Young Buck’s album. They were playing that a lot too. Things have been looking good for me. People keep telling me I got in the game a little late. All the money was in the ‘90s. Now everyone is really tight with their money. I don’t want to kill people. A lot of producers out-price themselves. I’m eating pretty good right now off of what I’m doing.

Did you get in the studio with 50 and Young Buck?
Nah. That’s why I like working with new artists because you get the chance to work with them. I consider myself an up n’ comer. I have to pay my dues just like everyone else. It’s a different time now. People have Pro tools so people just loop the beat. I would love to be in the studio more with people. It hasn’t happened as much as I want it to so far. I think in the future that’s going to come and I think better music will come from that.

How did you hook up with G-Unit?
My manager, Folayan Knight knows everybody. She’s cool with Sha Money XL. I make beats and give them to her, like 5 a week. She puts them on CDs and sends them to her connects. I met Folayan at an NYU alumni meeting. She went to NYU and I have a graduate degree from NYU in Music Business. I started undergrad at Florida A&M and finished at Florida State. Continued on page 2 »