"I'M GOIN IN" by Drake ft. Lil Wayne & Jeezy w/ Needlz | BackTrak

On this episode of Backtrak, we spotlight platinum producer Needlz as he breaks down the creation of Drake’s early classic “I’m Goin In” featuring Lil Wayne and Jeezy. Known for his precise drum programming and cinematic layering, Needlz walks us through how the track came together.

From dialing in the hard-hitting 808s to building the moody backdrop that set the tone for Drake’s So Far Gone era, this episode offers a rare look into how a timeless record was crafted. It’s a behind-the-scenes deep dive into the sound that helped shape a generation and cement Drake, Wayne, and Jeezy as a legendary trio on wax.

TIME STAMPS
00:00 – How Needlz got his name during chemotherapy
01:20 – Early days in Lansing, Michigan & musical influences
03:40 – DJ roots and transition into production
07:00 – Moving to NYU & interning with the Hitmen
10:30 – First placements & navigating the music business
18:00 – Needlz’s early influences: Premier, RZA, Neptunes
23:30 – Breaking through with Jay-Z, Jeezy & G-Unit
29:00 – Pub deals, money lessons & industry realities
35:00 – Family life, kids, and shifting into R&B & pop
39:20 – Breaking down “I’m Goin In” (Drake, Wayne & Jeezy)
43:40 – Beat leak story & how the record took off
46:00 – Rebuilding the “I’m Goin In” beat step by step
55:00 – Layering sounds, 808s & synths (Vanguard VST)
01:02:00 – DJ strategy & how “I’m Goin In” rocked the clubs
01:05:00 – Why every rapper freestyled on the beat
01:09:00 – New ventures, studio “The Kitchen,” and future plans

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#Drake #lilwayne #jeezy