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Needlz

Khari Cain, who adopted the stage name Needlz after overcoming cancer, is an American , songwriter, and born on April 19, 1978, in . Needlz developed an early passion for music influenced by his father's love of artists such as and , and he began his career as a DJ while attending Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and . After earning a graduate degree in music business from and interning at , he transitioned into production, gaining initial recognition for tracks like "Think Ya'll Know" on Fabolous' 2003 More Street Dreams 2: The Mixtape. Throughout his over two-decade career, Needlz has earned acclaim as a multi-platinum for his versatile style blending hip-hop, R&B, and pop elements, collaborating with major artists including , , , , , , and . Notable contributions include co-producing and co-writing ' Grammy Award-winning single "Just the Way You Are" from the 2010 album Doo-Wops & Hooligans, which topped charts in multiple countries, as well as 's "I'm Goin' In" featuring and Young Jeezy, and 's "Ring" featuring from her 2018 debut album Invasion of Privacy. He received a Grammy nomination for for Doo-Wops & Hooligans at the and has also created theme music for BET's and MTV's SuckaFree Sundays.

Early life

Childhood and family background

Khari Cain, professionally known as Needlz, was born on April 19, 1978, in . He was raised on the city's Northside in a family that emphasized and community service, with roots tracing back to his mother's upbringing in , as one of seven children of former sharecroppers. Cain's parents, Dr. Eugene L. Cain and Dr. Maxine Hankins Cain, were both accomplished professionals who fostered a musically inclined household. His father was a jazz enthusiast who frequently played records by artists such as and . The family included three brothers—Asante D. Cain, Dr. Jabari Paul Cain, and Juba Watts Cain, MD. From a young age, Cain showed signs of musical talent. These early interests laid the groundwork for his later pursuits in music .

Education and early interests

Needlz, born Khari Cain in Lansing, Michigan, graduated from Lansing Sexton High School. He pursued his undergraduate studies in a five-year business program at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, transferring to where he earned a degree in . There, he developed an interest in music by beginning to DJ in the local club scene. This early exposure to performing and mixing tracks laid the foundation for his technical skills in music, transitioning from casual hobby to a more serious pursuit during his college years. After completing his undergraduate education, Cain relocated from his roots to to advance his academic career, enrolling in a graduate degree program in Music Business at (NYU). At NYU, he gained a structured understanding of the music industry's operations, including artist management, licensing, and business strategies, which complemented his practical DJ experience. A pivotal opportunity arose during his graduate studies when Cain secured an internship at , the renowned label founded by Sean "Puffy" Combs. This role served as a crucial entry point into professional music environments, providing hands-on learning through tasks such as assisting in studio sessions, observing production workflows, and networking with industry professionals, which ultimately inspired his shift toward record production.

Health challenges

Diagnosis and treatment

Khari Cain, known professionally as Needlz, was diagnosed with cancer in 1999 during his undergraduate studies at . His treatment regimen included and , which he underwent concurrently with pledging the fraternity in the fall of that year. Cain later described this as "an ill period" marked by the physical strain of treatments, including visible needles in his arms during sessions. The emotional toll fostered a deepened sense of , with Cain reflecting, "if I want to do something, I’m going to try my hardest to do it," a mindset shaped by his survival experience. Following successful recovery, which he achieved before relocating to in 2000, Cain adopted the stage name Needlz, inspired directly by the needles from his .

Impact on career and stage name

Needlz adopted his following his battle with and survival from cancer, a choice that encapsulated his personal and over the disease. This health ordeal marked a pivotal turning point in his professional life, transforming music production from a casual hobby into a driving passion and career priority during his recovery period. The experience instilled a renewed sense of purpose, motivating him to pursue production with greater intensity as a means of creative expression and forward momentum.

Professional career

Beginnings in production

After completing his undergraduate studies, Khari Cain, known professionally as Needlz, initially pursued music as a while experimenting with beat-making during his time at and in the late 1990s and early 2000s. His early productions were self-taught and informal, often created using basic equipment like the Akai MPC 2000 after he sold his DJ gear around 2000-2001, marking a shift from DJing at local events to crafting original tracks. This hobbyist phase laid the groundwork for his technical skills, though production was not his primary focus at the time. Needlz's transition to semi-professional work accelerated around 2004, following his relocation to to pursue a graduate degree in Music Business at (NYU), where the program's curriculum provided foundational industry knowledge that informed his career pivot. During this period, he secured an internship at Bad Boy Entertainment, which served as a crucial platform for networking and honing his production abilities amid the label's high-profile environment. The internship exposed him to professional workflows and connected him with key figures, including A&R executive Folayan Knight, who later became his manager and helped elevate his beats from amateur demos to viable industry submissions. A pivotal early collaboration came through assistance from producer , who provided mentorship and co-production opportunities on projects like Cassidy's 2005 album , where Needlz contributed tracks such as "On the Grind" and "Crack." This partnership, facilitated by shared networks from the Ruff Ryders and circles, offered Needlz critical exposure and validation in New York's competitive scene, solidifying his shift toward full-time production.

Breakthrough collaborations

Needlz's breakthrough in the mid-2000s came through high-profile productions that showcased his energetic, sample-driven style within the landscape. In 2003, he gained early acclaim for producing the track "Think Ya'll Know" on Fabolous's More Street Dreams 2: The Mixtape, which highlighted his ability to craft infectious hooks blending street narratives with melodic elements. This work marked his entry into major-label circles, setting the stage for broader recognition. The following year, 2004, proved pivotal when Needlz produced "Let Me In," the debut single from Young Buck's album , featuring . The track's aggressive beat and anthemic chorus exemplified Needlz's high-energy approach, helping propel the song to commercial success and introducing his sound to G-Unit's audience. Also in 2004, he contributed "Pass Out" to , further solidifying his versatility in production. By 2005, Needlz expanded his collaborations with established artists, producing "" for 50 Cent's , a diss track that underscored his knack for hard-hitting, cinematic instrumentals. That same year, he worked on Talib Kweli's Right About Now: The Official Sucka Free Mix CD, including the track "Drugs, Basketball & Rap" featuring Phil Da Agony and , which blended conscious lyricism with gritty beats. Additionally, Needlz produced "The Pen and the Needlz" for Lupe Fiasco's 2005 Fahrenheit 1/15 Part I: The Interim, sampling Marvin Gaye's "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)" to create a reflective, soul-infused vibe that aligned with Fiasco's introspective style. Needlz's partnerships extended to Southern rap icon during this period, contributing productions that bridged his emerging sound with veteran lyricism. Closing the decade's key phase, in 2007, invited Needlz to collaborate on the album , providing crucial exposure and co-production credits that enhanced Needlz's industry standing through shared sessions with a prominent beatsmith.

Recent activities and ventures

In the , Needlz broadened his production scope beyond roots into pop and R&B, contributing to tracks for artists like on albums such as Doo-Wops & Hooligans. Needlz founded and owns Dry Rain Entertainment, a creative and that supports production, artist development, and branding initiatives. Through this venture, he serves as both a and DJ, facilitating collaborations and for various projects. In 2024, Needlz participated in the New Skool Rules conference in , where he co-hosted the NSR Vibes event alongside DJ Amani and led sessions on song production techniques, hit-making strategies, and demo listening for emerging talent. He also conducted a closed session focused on opportunities. These activities highlight his ongoing role in mentoring and curating music for new artists and brands, including his position as chief music content creator at an . During 2024 and 2025, Needlz engaged in educational content creation, appearing on the to break down the production process for seminal tracks like Drake's "I'm Goin' In" featuring and , detailing beat construction and studio decisions from his . This series underscores his continued influence in producer education and track analysis. Needlz has sustained work with emerging artists, emphasizing momentum and effort in partnerships to build sustainable careers, as seen in his curation of sounds for up-and-coming markets. Additionally, he contributed to family-involved projects, including the 2024 Netflix short documentary Makayla's Voice: A Letter to the World, which chronicles his daughter Makayla Cain's journey with and communication breakthroughs. The film, directed by Julio Palacio, premiered on in December 2024 and was shortlisted for consideration.

Production style

Influences and evolution

Needlz's production style was profoundly shaped by the and R&B landscapes of his formative years in , where he was exposed to a diverse array of sounds including East Coast rap from groups like and , West Coast influences from artists such as , , and , as well as house and prevalent in the Midwest. These early encounters instilled a gritty, street-oriented aesthetic in his work, characterized by dark, high-energy rap beats that blended raw sampling techniques with clean synth elements to create an "" of dirty and polished sounds. Additionally, R&B pioneers like —particularly tracks such as ""—LL Cool J's "," and Michael McDonald's "" provided melodic and soulful foundations, emphasizing groove and emotional depth that would later inform his hybrid approaches. A pivotal personal factor in Needlz's evolution was his battle with cancer during college, which he overcame and which inspired his stage name, symbolizing and a renewed focus on music as a passion project turned profession. This experience fueled his determination, leading him to intern at in 2000 and begin producing gritty urban tracks in the early , such as contributions to G-Unit projects including 50 Cent's "Piggy Bank" and Young Buck's "Let Me In," which captured the high-energy, sample-heavy essence of hip-hop's golden era from 1991 to the early . By the late , after relocating to , his style began shifting toward more structured songwriting, simplifying complex beats into accessible progressions while retaining soulful textures adaptable across genres. The collaboration with and marked a significant broadening of Needlz's palette in the , transitioning from to polished pop-soul hybrids, as seen in co-producing the Grammy-winning "Just the Way You Are" in 2010, where he incorporated major chords and stadium-ready melodies into his roots. This partnership exposed him to pop production's emphasis on live instrumentation and emotional resonance, evolving his sound from dark, solitary beat-making to collaborative, chart-topping tracks that morphed soulful elements for artists like and , reflecting a resilient adaptability honed by his personal trials. Into the , Needlz has continued this versatile approach, producing tracks such as Halle's "back and forth" and "his type" from her 2025 album Love? Or Something Like It, and EmanuelDaProphet's "FORGIVE ME" in 2024, blending and elements.

Signature techniques

Needlz's production style is characterized by high-energy beats crafted through dynamic drum patterns that emphasize punchy, evolving rhythms. He achieves this by combining hardware like MPC workstations with software plugins, allowing for precise editing of drum elements to adapt to an artist's vision, such as adjusting patterns for better flow in tracks. A key aspect of his approach involves layered samples, where he integrates analog-inspired sounds—such as distorted bass lines and varied drum kits—to create depth without overcomplication, avoiding repetitive stock samples for a more original texture. This layering technique draws from his hybrid workflow, blending digital precision with hardware warmth to build tracks that translate effectively across playback systems. In , Needlz has earned credits for Grammy-winning composition on Bruno Mars's "Just the Way You Are," where he co-wrote and produced the track, contributing to its soulful yet upbeat arrangement that secured the 2011 Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. His engineering process prioritizes simplicity and experimentation, often incorporating live drum miking for innovative percussion tones. Needlz frequently collaborates with Donut (Brandon Bell) in a tag-team style, dividing responsibilities to fuse pop and elements efficiently, as seen in their joint work on Jeremih's "Oui" and tracks for . This partnership, which began unexpectedly via an online equipment sale, leverages their complementary strengths to deliver seamless, high-impact beats.

Notable works

Key singles

Needlz's key singles showcase his versatility in blending pop accessibility with hip-hop energy, resulting in tracks that achieved significant commercial success and resonated culturally as anthems of romance, ambition, and vulnerability. "Just the Way You Are," released in 2010 as the lead single from Bruno Mars' debut album Doo-Wops & Hooligans, stands as one of Needlz's breakthrough contributions, where he co-wrote the lyrics alongside Mars, Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, Khalil Walton, and Khari Cain (Needlz), and co-produced the track with The Smeezingtons. The song's uplifting melody and heartfelt lyrics about unconditional love propelled it to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks, marking Mars' first number-one hit as a lead artist. It also topped charts in seven countries, including Australia, Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom, contributing to its global sales exceeding 12 million units by 2013. Culturally, the track became a staple romantic ballad, frequently featured in weddings and media, and its diamond certification by the RIAA in 2021 underscores its enduring appeal as a timeless pop standard.) In 2009, Needlz produced "I'm Goin' In" for Drake's mixtape So Far Gone, featuring and Young Jeezy, crafting a gritty banger with booming bass that marked his first use of the sound. The track peaked at number 40 on the and earned platinum certification from the RIAA for over one million units sold, reflecting its strong urban radio play and streaming longevity. As an early showcase of Drake's rising star power, the song captured the hustler mentality of late-2000s rap, influencing the genre's shift toward introspective bravado and becoming a fan-favorite club staple. Needlz revisited R&B-infused hip-hop in 2018 with "," co-produced alongside Scribz Riley for Cardi B's debut album Invasion of Privacy and featuring Kehlani's soulful vocals on themes of jealousy and relational turmoil. The single reached number 28 on the and has since been certified 4x multi-platinum by the RIAA, with over four million equivalent units consumed in the U.S. Its cultural impact lies in amplifying female perspectives on heartbreak within trap's dominance, blending Cardi B's raw delivery with Kehlani's melodic hooks to create a vulnerable yet empowering that resonated during the album's record-breaking run.)

Major album contributions

Needlz's early major album contributions in the mid-2000s established him as a rising hip-hop producer, beginning with key tracks on Young Buck's debut major-label album Straight Outta Cashville (2004), where he produced the lead single "Let Me In," blending high-energy beats with Southern rap elements to help propel the project's commercial success. His work extended to Cassidy's sophomore album I'm a Hustla (2005), contributing production on "Crack," a gritty track that underscored the album's street-oriented themes and featured aggressive drum patterns characteristic of Needlz's style. That same year, he produced "Piggy Bank" for 50 Cent's album The Massacre, which highlighted his ability to craft anthemic, bass-heavy productions for high-profile rap releases. In 2006, Needlz made a notable impact on Lupe Fiasco's debut album Food & Liquor, producing "Hurt Me Soul," a introspective track that sampled and showcased his skill in layering soulful samples over conscious rap instrumentation, contributing to the album's critical acclaim and Grammy nomination. He also co-produced "The Pen and the Needlz" for Lupe Fiasco's mixtape Fahrenheit 1/15 Part I: The Interim (2006), further solidifying their partnership in blending lyrical depth with innovative beats. Needlz's production reached a broader pop audience with Bruno Mars's debut album Doo-Wops & Hooligans (2010), where he co-produced the hit "Just the Way You Are" alongside , , and , helping the album sell over 15 million copies worldwide. This collaboration marked a pivotal shift, infusing his roots with retro-soul and pop sensibilities to support the album's eclectic sound. Later in the decade, Needlz contributed to Swizz Beatz's debut album (2007), handling production, bass, and drums on tracks like "Bust Ya Gunz," adding energetic, club-ready elements that complemented Swizz's bombastic style and boosted the album's pedigree. Across his career, Needlz has amassed credits on dozens of albums, including over 80 production performances documented in music databases, spanning , R&B, and pop genres with artists like , , and , demonstrating his versatility in team-based album projects.

Awards and recognition

Grammy wins and nominations

Bruno Mars' "Just the Way You Are," for which Needlz served as co-writer and co-producer, won Best Male Pop Vocal Performance at the in 2011. The following year, Needlz received a nomination for at the for his contributions to ' debut album Doo-Wops & Hooligans.

Other accolades

Needlz has earned multi-platinum certifications from the (RIAA) for his contributions to several hit tracks. As co-writer and co-producer, he received credit on ' "Just the Way You Are," which achieved 21× Platinum status in 2025, marking it as the highest-certified single in RIAA history. Similarly, his production on Cardi B's "Ring" featuring earned 4× Platinum certification as of September 2025. In 2011, Needlz was honored with the ASCAP Pop Song of the Year award for "Just the Way You Are," recognizing his songwriting role alongside collaborators , Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, and Cassius D. Kalb. The track also garnered five Music Award nominations that year, highlighting its commercial dominance across multiple charts. Needlz appeared as a featured performer at the New Skool Rules urban music conference and festival in , , in June 2024, participating in the "NSR Vibes" session alongside DJ Amani. This event underscores his ongoing industry recognition as a multi-platinum bridging and pop production styles.

Personal life and

Family dynamics

Needlz, whose real name is Khari Cain, is married to Mañana Cain, a fashion entrepreneur who owns the boutique Bridge Boutique in , . The couple resides in the Atlanta area, where they have cultivated a supportive home environment focused on empathy, patience, and family involvement in daily routines. This setting has been essential for managing the unique needs of their children while fostering close-knit relationships. As a father, Needlz has two daughters: Amani, his older child who is pursuing a career in music as an aspiring DJ and studying in college, and Makayla, born around 2008 and diagnosed with at 18 months old, later confirmed with Phelan-McDermid syndrome through . Amani's interest in music mirrors her father's profession, creating opportunities for shared creative discussions within the family, while Makayla's condition has shaped the household dynamics around therapeutic support and inclusive activities. The family emphasizes collective participation, with both parents actively involved in coordinating care and encouraging sibling bonds. Needlz balances his demanding career as a music —working with artists like , , and —with family responsibilities by integrating flexibility into his schedule, such as incorporating home-based and prioritizing presence during key moments. Daily life involves navigating high-cost interventions, like monthly exceeding $6,000, alongside school coordination and managing Makayla's energy levels, all while maintaining a stable routine in their home. A significant communication breakthrough occurred when Makayla, nonverbal for 14 years, began using letterboard at age 14, allowing her to express complex thoughts, humor, and preferences—such as describing a as "closest to "—which has deepened family connections and reduced frustrations. This progress has transformed interactions, enabling more meaningful dialogues and reinforcing the family's resilient dynamics.

Advocacy through Makayla's Voice

Needlz, whose real name is Khari Cain, co-founded the Makayla's Voice foundation in 2024 alongside his family to provide resources and support for families of color affected by , with a particular emphasis on non-verbal communication tools and . The foundation's mission centers on creating safe environments for non-verbal autistic individuals and their families, offering clinical workshops, therapeutic resources, and funding to enhance awareness and access to specialized services in the area. This initiative was motivated by Cain's personal experiences with his daughter's disorder. A key project of the foundation is the 2024 short documentary Makayla's Voice: A Letter to the World, which chronicles the family's journey in supporting non-verbal communication breakthroughs for autistic individuals. Directed by Julio Palacio, the film premiered at the in January 2024 and was later released on in December 2024, highlighting innovative methods like letter board communication. It earned recognition by being shortlisted for, but not receiving a nomination in, the Best Documentary Short Film category at the 97th , announced on December 17, 2024. Cain has actively promoted autism awareness through public speaking and media appearances, including a 2024 episode of the Brain & Life where he discussed the foundation's work and communication strategies for non-verbal autistic youth. He has also participated in and screenings tied to the documentary, such as those at film festivals and community gatherings in , to advocate for greater access to autism resources and reduce in underserved communities.

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