We interviewed ten people across a range of different age groups, and pretty quickly, we saw a trend. Gen Alpha are the ones who know it and use it; Gen Z are aware of it, but do not use the term themselves; and everyone beyond that has no clue what it means. The anomaly, however, are those who work with children. Teachers know it because their students are shouting it out in class. As one person put it, “if you mention it, all the kids go crazy”.

6-7 originates from Skrilla’s December 2024 track ‘Doot Doot (6 7)’, referencing a basketball player whose height is 6’7”. The song gained a lot of popularity through viral videos and memes featuring the NBA player LeMelo Ball. Since then, the expression has been blurted out by Gen Alpha like a call-and-answer response – someone says six, others answer seven, and they juggle their hands for emphasis. According to Steve Johnson, Director of Lexicography for the Dictionary Media Group, “It’s part inside joke, part social signal and part performance. When people say it, they’re not just repeating a meme; they’re shouting a feeling. It’s one of the first Words of the Year that works as an interjection – a burst of energy that spreads and connects people long before anyone agrees on what it actually means.”

What interests us is how music can have this kind of cultural effect when powered by social media. Something as simple as an audio cue can jump from screens into corridors, playgrounds, and public spaces. We know – we’ve seen this before – but what’s interesting now is the scale and speed at which trends travel. The volume of media that younger audiences consume is influencing how they communicate, how they connect, and how quickly they adapt to new trends.

If 6-7 is anything, it’s a reminder that culture travels in brief bursts and larger tides. While everyone talks about the habits of Gen Z – see our blog on what drives their choices and culture here – Gen Alpha are the next wave. For brands that want to connect with them, listen early, and stay mindful of how quickly the tide can rise and fade.

At Vox Pops International, we specialise in capturing real voices and real stories. Whether for research and insight, sales and marketing, PR or comms, we make video that brings the consumer perspective to life.

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