The needle drop is a technique used in hip-hop deejaying, probably originated by Grand Wizard Theodore. The DJ sets a record spinning, then drops the needle on the turntable at the point where he or she wants playback to begin. According to AMG: "Instead of cueing up the record silently, the DJ simply drops the needle onto the exact start of the passage to be played."

Source

• http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&uid=UIDSUB040402070125133172&sql=B6sxsa93gi23a