For a few years now music producers have become artists in their own right. They show up in videos. They release solo album. And sometimes they even become more famous than the artists they produce for. When you think of this you think of producers like Timbaland, Pharrell, Kanye West, Scott Storch and a whole lot more. The label that has been given to these select few is “super producer”.

The latest producer to join the ranks is Nitti. Many people know him for his work on Yung Joc’s hit single “It’s Goin’ Down” but there is way more to the man that  has crafted hits for T.I., Juvenile, Young Jeezy, Plies, and Gucci Mane.

Now with his own label Playmaker, Nitti is set to take it a step further in the game. With new artist 9th Ward under his belt as well as a few others it’s only a matter of time before we see Nitti garnering the same praise as his predecessors. Sixshot.com caught up with Nitti to discuss his relationship with Jermaine Dupri and So So Def, signing 9th Ward, and what projects we can expect to see in the future.

Nitti I was recently looking at your catalog and it’s impressive man, it’s just full of hits. How do you manage to stay so consistent in terms of hit records?

I think what it is man is that a lot of people are real quick to just take a record and throw it out there. They might not have that real focus on making good, quality, lasting music, you know? I put everything I got into every song I make because I want my music to be relevant years down the line from now. I want it to be timeless music that different generations can listen to and really enjoy it. Other than that I just make sure that I have fun when I’m doing it and I do what I do.

It’s gotten to the point where you’re being mentioned with the biggest producers in the game from Timbaland, to Pharrell, to Kanye. Did you think you would ever be mentioned in that category of producers?

I was really influenced by these guys man. They’re incredible producers and the music that they’ve done is phenomenal. They’ve been relevant in the game for so long and they’ve made the hottest music, period. These dudes have kept the clubs and the radio jumpin’ for years and years. Listening to them makes me a better producer overall because I can draw from what they’re doing. It’s honestly just a blessing to be mentioned in the same conversation as producers of their caliber.

You’re working with 9th Ward, a new artist who is generating a lot on buzz and interest. What is your role in 9th Ward’s career?

Yeah, 9th is my artist man. He’s a new artist from New Orleans. He’s signed to Island/ Def Jam and my production company PlayMaker. JD gave me the deal for 9th. He’s the president of Island urban so he hooked that up for us. I’ve been spending a lot of time with 9th in the studio working and I really see a big career for him in the future.

So you definitely see 9th Ward blowing up large and being a force in hip-hop music?

He’s definitely going to be a somebody man. He’s no one hit wonder at all. A one hit wonder is going to generate a lot of money of course but they don’t have longevity in the game. They come out strong with that hit but then people forget them. 9th Ward is definitely not that. People like Snoop, DMX, Jay-Z, those are legends. Those are artists that people will never forget about. They are stars. That’s what I want in an artist that I work with. I don’t want no overnight success because it’s not going to last. It could leave as fast as it came. I really take the time to work with him. People are getting to know him and he’s going to be real important in hip-hop.

You’ve always worked closely with Jermaine Dupri. Have you learned a lot from him?

Definitely man, we always kept business going on with each other and we got businesses that we are still developing right now. He’s like my older brother. He keeps me grounded in this business and he really teaches me what I need to know to be the best. As far as production I’ve also learned a lot from him because he has sold millions of records and he did that on his own, nobody taught him how to do that. He’s always somebody I will take advice from and to be able to have that with a dude like him is a blessing for me.

As far as business goes, how has it been running PlayMaker?

It’s been great man. It’s my production company. We provide production for artists and we’ve recently got into the business of signing artists and helping them to get distribution. It’s been real successful so far and we’re just building the brand up. We got all types of music from rap to R&B, everything man. I’m working with all kinds of artists. I’m in work mode right now. I’m always working and I’m always producing records. It takes hard work.

As a producer with a great ear and a proven track record, what do you look for in an artist?

I look for hunger, passion, and creativity to be honest with you. I don’t want any puppet artists, you know? I want an artist that if I give them a record they come back and it’s better than it was. They paid attention to those little details and made it a hot joint. I want to be able to see that creativity in them and everything that they do. That is so important to me. I want artists who want to get to that level and I want to be the one who’s able to help establish them.

You’re working with a new artist Rozelle as well. What can you tell us about him?

I definitely co-sign him man. He’s gonna be a big star in the game for real. He has a lot of ability and he’s a real, real hard worker. He goes hard in the studio man. He’s one of the new faces of the music business. He’s a young, fresh talent which is what the industry needs right now. Rozelle is definitely a threat and he’s going to have a very long career in music. He’s also going to be a nightmare for some of these other artist out here right now. (Laughs)

Aight Nitti, what do you have coming up that we can check for?

Rozelle is definitely coming soon. We also got a couple singles coming out and you can also look out for 9th Ward.

Anything you want to say to all the fans at Sixshot.com?

I really just want to thank everybody for all the support they have given me throughout my career and I hope to keep getting that support. Much love to all the fans out there and make sure you stay tuned.