Sound is more than something we hear—it is vibration, communication, emotion, and memory. Few people understand that better than Young Guru, whose work has helped shape the sound of modern music across genres and generations.
The Knockturnal was able to experience Inside the Mix: with Young Guru in the Studio,” a rare masterclass held inside the Dolby Atmos-enabled Professional Studio at the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment at Long Island University Brooklyn during New York Music Month. This exclusive opportunity, provided by Roc Nation, offered students, creators, and media a firsthand look into the creative process of one of music’s most respected engineers, producers, educators, and cultural stewards.
Known for his work alongside Jay-Z, Kanye West, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey, and Rapsody, Young Guru shared insights on mixing, Dolby Atmos, and sound design, including the difference between amplitude and volume. Yet some of the most impactful lessons extended beyond technology.
“Teaching is giving information. Coaching is more in-depth,” Guru explained. “Coaching is observing and giving feedback on the process.”
That philosophy defines his role as Director of Music Technology, Entrepreneurship & Production at the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment since 2021. Reflecting on his upbringing in Wilmington, Delaware, and Jay-Z’s roots in Brooklyn’s Marcy Houses, Guru emphasized the importance of access, mentorship, and giving back to communities that may not always have direct pathways into the entertainment industry.
The school offers programs in Music Technology, Entrepreneurship & Production, Music Management, and Sports Management, while also providing graduate-level study, including master’s degree opportunities. Young Guru spoke passionately about the importance of building an institution that can stand alongside respected programs across higher education. The Roc Nation School also offers a Summer Intensive Program, giving aspiring creators an opportunity to gain firsthand exposure to the entertainment industry and begin developing the skills needed for future careers. Throughout the masterclass, Guru reminded students that creativity itself cannot be taught. Educators can provide tools, but each creator must ultimately discover and develop their own voice.
After touring the state-of-the-art facility and sitting down with Young Guru, one thing became clear: his impact now extends far beyond the records he has helped create. It lives within the students, artists, entrepreneurs, storytellers, songwriters, engineers, and curators of sound who are learning directly from his experience.
(Courtesy The Knockturnal)
Listening to Guru speak brought to mind Psalm 1:3: “And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither.” The comparison feels fitting. Young Guru is a wellspring of knowledge, education, coaching, and lived experience. Just as rivers nourish young trees, information and mentorship nourish the next generation of creators. Today’s entertainment industry depends on those seeds being planted, cultivated, and given room to grow.
During our conversation, Guru reflected on the meaning of his name, Nadabrahma, often interpreted as “the world is sound” or “all creation is vibration.” It is a philosophy he appears to embody through both his work and service. Whether in the studio, classroom, or boardroom, his mission remains rooted in helping others find clarity, purpose, and direction through sound.
In many ways, the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment resembles Professor Charles Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters from the X-Men universe. The mission is not simply to identify talent but to train, guide, and prepare future leaders to use their gifts responsibly. The superpowers here are creativity, technology, discipline, entrepreneurship, and vision.
Through the leadership of figures such as Jay-Z, Young Guru, and the broader Roc Nation ecosystem, students are receiving knowledge directly from those who helped shape modern culture. Every student who succeeds represents another seed planted, another tree growing, and another future being built. The industry’s next chapter may very well be written by the students sitting in these classrooms today. Thank you for the invite.
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