A message from Steve...

Every generation has its “thing”. It could be a phrase, a dance move, a soundbite, or a meme that somehow slips into the collective bloodstream and refuses to leave. For today’s youth, one of those current, quirky, cultural gems is the now-viral “6-7” phenomenon.

If you’re old enough to remember mixtapes or rotary phones, you might find yourself blinking at this one, wondering why “6-7”, and why now? And how did a random pairing of numbers become a communal inside joke? Like so many trends, the exact origin of “6-7” depends on who you ask. A quick internet search says it originated from a 2024 rap song by Philadelphia artist Skrilla. The song was used initially in on-line edits of basketball players, most notably, LaMelo Ball. From there, it was remixed, repeated, and repurposed into thousands of TikTok edits. 

As I went a little further down the “6-7” rabbit hole on-line, it’s virality may also be traced to its simple structure. Whenever it showed up for me on-line, it was short, rhythmic, a little absurd. It’s perfect meme material, and trust me, the memes are endless, but I digress.

As I came back up from that on-line search, the deeper truth may be that “6-7” represents a pattern found in nearly all viral micro-moments; It’s simple, playful, and endlessly repeatable. As far as I know, it’s not a political hot take, it’s not focused on a particular demographic, or a specific community. It seems to be unclaimed territory, which makes it accessible to so many. Kids love it, teens remix it, and adults like me laugh with it without fully understanding it. 

“6-7” is universal in its randomness, and that, surprisingly, seems to be the key to its staying power. When my daughters first brought it home in their casual banter months ago, I thought it was a silly passing trend. But it stayed and as it stayed, it went from an isolated lyric to universal laughter, which results in a shared experience. 

Trends rarely last unless they evolve, and “6–7” has gone through stages, from small ones... to subtle ones... to real ones. People start saying it ironically, then unironically, and then ironically again. Suddenly groups of kids, including my kids, are on playgrounds, in hallways, at summer camps using “6-7” as a low-stakes, goofy code for “You get it? I get it. Cool.”

It’s not a protest movement or a cultural movement. It’s just a fun movement. It’s a reminder that humans love to laugh together, and often the simplest joke becomes the strongest glue. 

What really squared me up was when I asked my own 11- and 13-year-old daughters why the “6-7” thing was still happening. Their response was perfect: “I don’t know Dad, but just please don’t try to say it in public. It’s cool, but it’s not cool if you try to use it to be cool. Just be cool and let it happen.”

And when I think about it, they’re right. Trends like this aren’t meant to be steered, they’re meant to be shared. And at its core, “6–7” reveals something beautiful and deeply human about all of us: 

We crave shared language... Common language creates belonging, even when the language seems like nonsense. 

We bond through laughter... Humor bypasses ego, age, and differences. A silly shared joke is one of the quickest ways to feel connected. 

We love low-pressure unity... Not everything that brings us together must be serious or meaningful. Sometimes joy itself is the meaning. 

In a world that often feels divided, heavy, and complex, “6-7” is refreshingly light. It’s a wink, a nod, a subtle signal that says, “We’re all in on the same silly moment together.” And the truth is, people want that, people need that, and people will keep finding it in numbers, sounds, dances, inside jokes, whatever comes next.

So, as I reflect on all of this, here are my three takeaways about this “6–7” phenomenon, and what it can teach us all about comedy, community, and connection:

1. Shared moments don’t always need serious depth to be meaningful: Lighthearted experiences like songs, memes, and phrases often create the strongest sense of togetherness because everyone can join without judgment or expertise.

2. Authenticity can be more powerful than effort: My daughters were right when they warned me that trying too hard can kill the magic. The best connections sometimes come from allowing joy, humor, and spontaneity to unfold naturally.

3. Community grows when people feel invited, not analyzed: Trends thrive when they’re inclusive, repeatable, and fun. We can recreate this energy in our workplaces, families, and friendships by designing moments that encourage laughter, participation, and shared curiosity.

The “6-7” trend may seem trivial, but its impact isn’t. It reminds us that connection doesn’t always come from deep conversations or perfectly planned events. Sometimes, authentic connection comes from two numbers, a catchy rhythm, and a shared smile. And maybe, just maybe, the best thing us adult leaders can do is take our kids’ advice: Don’t try too hard, and don’t try to figure it all out. Just be cool and let it happen.

Wink On.

Game On.