POWER HITTERS: Y2K

Our Power Hitters feature turns the spotlight on the brilliant songwriters and producers behind the biggest smashes in the biz, the players who regularly step up to the plate and deliver a hit—and frequently drive it clear out of the park.

From remix DJ to producer of viral records, L.A.-based Y2K, formally known as Ari Starace, has mastered the creation of rhythmic pop songs that become Internet earworms. Since releasing his own undeniable hit, the double-platinum “LALALA” f/bbno in 2019, he's collaborated with The Kid LAROI, Ariana Grande, blackbear and Young Thug.

He's also connected with the Internet’s favorite future-pop star, Doja Cat, for five tracks on the DSP-dominating Planet Her (Kemosabe/RCA), which has helped make her Spotify’s sixth-most-listened-to artist, with 63m+ monthly listeners. The Y2K-produced “Get Into It (Yuh)” exploded on TikTok over the summer; its nearly 2m videos have amassed 200m views. The song surged in mid-August, doubling its weekly stream count. It has averaged more than 6m+ streams per week since.

Following the release of the album, Y2K partnered with Doja on a high-profile TV campaign, producing a remix of Grease’s “You’re the One That I Want” by the Gen-Z sensation for a Pepsi commercial.

Starace's other cuts on Planet Her include "Payday" f/Young Thug, "I Don't Do Drugs" f/Ariana Grande, "Options" f/JID and "Why Why" f/Gunna.

Before becoming one of Doja Cat’s go-to collaborators, Y2K honed his chops on tracks for Soundcloud finds iann dior, Yung Gravy and Yung Bans.

This rising star is managed by Nic Warner and Lucas Keller of Milk + Honey and repped by Matt Cuttler of Rothenberg, Mohr & Binder, LLP.