YPG Sessions: 6 with 6ix
The six beat battle champions with 6ix and Lawrence Grey at Sony Studios.
At Young Producers Group, we're dedicated to more than just delivering top-tier, industry-relevant music production curricula; we’re building pathways to real careers in music. That’s why our support doesn’t end in the classroom.
We create opportunities for students to step directly into the professional world, from showcasing their original music in our SoCal Beat Battle to collaborating with major industry names through our newest initiative: YPG Sessions.
YPG Sessions are immersive studio experiences where students work side-by-side with music industry professionals. In our inaugural session, we brought together six standout producers from the 2024 SoCal Beat Battle for an exclusive day in the studio with Grammy-nominated producer 6ix at Sony Studios in Los Angeles.
We called it 6 with 6ix. Watch the video below to see the energy, collaboration, and creativity that made 6 with 6ix an unforgettable day in the studio.
6ix the Producer
Arjun Ivatury, known professionally as 6ix, is a Grammy-nominated producer best known for his long-time collaboration with rapper Logic. A first-generation Indian American from Maryland, 6ix left behind a pre-med path to pursue music full time, an ambitious leap that led to the creation of several platinum-selling albums.
Multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated producer 6ix.
From Logic’s Under Pressure to the chart-topping 1-800-273-8255, 6ix has built a reputation for emotionally resonant, sample-rich productions. A loyal FL Studio user, he’s as comfortable producing hits from a home setup as he is in world-class studios.
With credits beyond Logic including work with Pusha T, Dizzy Wright, and his own recently released debut album Homebody, 6ix continues to push boundaries in the music industry.
6ix was a judge at the 2024 SoCal Beat Battle, and he was blown away with what he heard. Inspired by the student talent, he was eager to continue working with these young musicians. We proposed YPG Sessions and he was all-in.
The Brightest Young Musical Talent in Southern California
The six listening to an interview with 6ix and his manager about their work.
The SoCal Beat Battle is an unmatched representation of the unbelievable young talent Southern California has to offer. If you missed our blog about the beat battle, check it out: The Future of Music is Here: Highlights From The 2024 SoCal Beat Battle. Our 6 with 6ix students represented a diverse range of school districts, backgrounds and musical perspectives across the region:
Kayla Pincus, @kaylapincus, 2nd Place Vocalist Category
Abel Yabut, @__diorrrrr, 1st Place Producer Category
Lily Sturges, @lilysturges, 1st Place Instrumentalist Categoory
Mitchell Coleman, @nulsyle, 3rd Place Producer Category
Akira Armstrong-Moran, @wilttheory, 2nd Place Producer Category
Diego Villalobos, @spykelovo, Honorable Mention Producer and Vocalist Categories
These students were not just selected for their talent, but for their positivity and collaborative spirit, with each one bringing their own unique voice to the session.
Industry Insights
6ix and manager Mike Holland being interviewed by Lawrence Grey.
The day kicked off with an intimate conversation between 6ix, his manager Mike Holland, and YPG founder Lawrence Grey, offering students a behind-the-scenes look at 6ix’s journey through the music industry. Students were encouraged to ask questions and absorbed every bit of wisdom on topics like networking, professional growth, and the importance of building a strong team. The insights shared were not only inspiring, they were priceless for these students at the start of their careers.
Professional Feedback
After the industry discussion, each student had the opportunity to introduce themselves and share an original song on the studio speakers. 6ix listened closely, offering thoughtful, professional feedback on each piece while encouraging students to explore how their diverse musical influences could come together in a collaborative song.
6ix giving Abel Yabut’s track a closer look during the feedback session.
For emerging music producers, feedback from a seasoned professional is essential. It provides both creative direction and a deeper understanding of the standards and expectations of the dynamic music industry.
The Creative Process
Akira Armstrong-Moran and Lily Sturges getting the session started.
The creative process began with a guitar riff from Akira. After experimenting with a few variations, he headed straight into the iso booth to lay down an electric guitar track. Abel took the lead on producing and engineering the session in FL Studio. Then, 6ix jumped in with his own contribution on acoustic guitar.
6ix tracking acoustic guitar on top of Akira’s recordings.
Next, Kayla began riffing on vocal melodies, and Mitchell joined Abel at the computer, brainstorming arrangement ideas and offering production support. At the same time, Diego and Lily teamed up to create vocal chops and layered in lush arpeggiator and synth textures.
6ix providing guidance to Abel and Mitchell as they engineered the session.
Bit by bit, the song began to take shape. Kayla recorded lead vocals, Akira recorded bass, and Lily layered harmonies. Each contribution was an authentic reflection of each student’s creativity and musical influences, and 6ix and the students loved every minute of the creative process.
Kayla Pincus laying down vocals.
Lily Sturges and Diego Villalobos working on beats and instrumentation.
When the session was over, Diego Villalobos aka Spykelovo took the FL Studio file home, put onthe finishing touches, and mastered the track.
Listen to the completed track here:
Professional Opportunity
At Young Producers Group, providing professional opportunities for our students is at the heart of everything we do. Our curriculum equips students with essential skills to launch their careers, while initiatives like YPG Sessions and the SoCal Beat Battle offer invaluable real-world platforms to showcase their talent and build industry connections.
Many YPG and SoCal Beat Battle graduates have gone on to achieve remarkable success like winning Grammys and selling platinum records. This is proof that these experiences truly matter, and that’s why 6 with 6ix marks the beginning of many YPG Sessions to come.
A huge thank you to 6ix, his team, the students and their families for making this unforgettable day possible and inspiring the next generation of music makers.
