For Smallztru, a song isn’t complete unless it feels like a movie. On her upcoming single “NEED YOU,” she delivers her most emotionally immersive work yet, a dark pop/R&B record that took more than three years to fully come to life.

“I believe ‘NEED YOU’ is one of my best records,” Smallztru tells iHeart. “Not just lyrically, but production wise. I gave this song time to grow with me, and it ended up representing exactly where I am as an artist.”

From the opening moments, “NEED YOU” pulls listeners into a cinematic headspace. Inspired by the emotional gravity of Michael Jackson and the shadowy atmosphere of The Weeknd, the track explores the kind of love that lingers, the kind that feels impossible to let go of, even when it hurts. Every lyric is written with intention, crafted to help the listener visualize the story rather than simply hear it.

“I wanted every line to feel visual,” she explains. “Especially for anyone who’s ever been stuck in a situation where love was hard to release.”

The long development of “NEED YOU” mirrors Smallztru’s own growth. Though she first fell in love with music at eight years old after hearing Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean,” her creative journey began through hip-hop dance before evolving into songwriting and vocal performance. By age 14, she was recording in studios, learning guitar, and shaping her sound from the ground up.

Still, “NEED YOU” stands apart from her earlier releases.

“This song demanded patience,” she says. “I didn’t want to rush it. I wanted it to feel honest like it came from lived experience.”

That honesty is central to Smallztru’s artistry. She writes all of her own music and works closely with her producer 2points, translating raw emotion into polished, moody soundscapes that sit comfortably between R&B, pop, and dark pop. The result is a record that feels intimate yet expansive, personal, but universally relatable.

Much of the emotional depth in “NEED YOU” is rooted in real-life loss. After the unexpected passing of her father, Smallztru faced a period of grief that forced her to step away from music altogether. Family betrayal and emotional exhaustion followed, making the return to creativity feel uncertain.

“I felt like a big part of me was gone,” she says. “I had to pause everything just to process.”

Eventually, music became her way back to a space to process pain, seek closure, and honor the promise she made to keep going. That vulnerability now defines her songwriting.

“I’m not afraid to talk about real experiences, heartbreak, struggle, love,” she explains. “Storytelling like that feels rare right now, and that’s what makes it powerful.”

While “NEED YOU” signals a new creative era, Smallztru has already built notable momentum as an independent artist. She gained early recognition through a collaboration with Matthew “Mdot” Finley, Disney star of Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam, and has performed at venues including House of Blues, The Mint, Catch One LA, and The Virgil Bar, as well as major cultural events like 626 Night Market and OC Fair.

Behind the scenes, she’s worked with an audio engineer affiliated with Atlantic Records, showcased music at Poo Bear’s studio for industry executives, met the founder of Interscope Records, and earned press recognition from outlets such as VoyageLA.

Still, she remains focused on longevity over hype.

“My goal is to wake up every day and make music,” she says. “To build something real, support my family, and give back to my community.”

With comparisons to artists like Justin Bieber, Billie Eilish, Jhené Aiko, and Kehlani, Smallztru is carving out a lane rooted in emotional realism and visual storytelling. “NEED YOU” is not just a single, it's a statement of intent.

“I want listeners to feel like the song was written about them,” she says. “Like they’re watching a scene play out in their head.”

As she prepares to release more music from this evolving era, Smallztru is clear about the message she hopes listeners take away from “NEED YOU” and beyond.

“Never give up on your dreams,” she says. “Stay consistent. Even when it’s hard.”

And if “NEED YOU” is any indication, Smallztru is just getting started.

Listen to Smallztru on all streaming platforms

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