What Does 6-7 Mean?
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How This Article Works: Choose Your Depth
This topic went viral quickly, and readers need different levels of explanation. So this article gives you three tiers:
- Tier 1 — The Quick Answer: 30–60 seconds. Simple and reassuring.
- Tier 2 — The Short Explanation: 2–3 minutes. A clear biblical overview.
- Tier 3 — The Deep Dive: Your original full article with evidence, Scripture, linguistics, and testing of claims.
On This Page
Tier 1: The Quick Answer (Short Version)
The phrase “6–7” has become a massive trend online. Kids yell it at games, use it in videos, or say it just for fun. Recently, a few Christians have feared that the phrase is demonic or tied to the occult. So let’s slow down and look at the facts.
Where did “6–7” come from?
It began in a rap song called “Doot Doot (6 7)” by an artist named Skrilla1. It was simply a lyric in a drill-style track — not a spell, chant, or religious phrase.
Why did it go viral?
- It’s fun and absurd to yell.
- A viral video of a kid yelling it at a basketball game (“the 6–7 kid”) blew up online — see the original clip here: Original “6–7 kid” video2.
- A basketball player who is 6’7″ is featured in early edits, which helped spread the meme.
What does it mean?
Major dictionaries and linguists agree: it means nothing56. It’s a hype sound — like yelling “Let’s go!” or “Yeah!”
Is it part of the occult?
No evidence at all. No religious tradition, scholar, or practitioner connects “6–7” with ritual practice8. Kids are not summoning spirits — they’re excitedly shouting a meme.
What does the Bible say?
The Bible warns clearly about real occult practices (Deut. 18:10–12; 1 Cor. 10:20–21)12, which involve intent and worship — not random internet slang.
So should Christians use the phrase?
If you dislike it, don’t use it. But there is no biblical, historical, or spiritual reason to claim the phrase is demonic.
Tier 2: The Short Explanation (Medium Version)
The phrase “6–7” has become a huge trend online. Kids shout it at games, use it in videos, or say it just for fun. Recently, some Christians have started to worry that the phrase is demonic or linked to the occult. So let’s slow down and look at what is actually true.
Where did “6–7” come from?
The phrase started in a rap song called “Doot Doot (6 7)” by an artist named Skrilla1. It was just part of his song — not a spell, chant, or religious phrase.
Why did it go viral?
It blew up on TikTok and in sports videos because:
- It’s fun to yell.
- A video of a kid shouting it at a basketball game went viral2.
- A famous basketball player who is 6’7” also helped the phrase spread in edits3.
What does it mean?
According to major dictionaries and language experts, it doesn’t mean anything56. It’s simply a hype sound — like yelling “Let’s go!” or “Yeah!”
Is it part of the occult?
There is no evidence that “6–7” is connected to Santería, Palo Mayombe, or any other occult religion810. No scholar, pastor, or practitioner has ever shown that these numbers form a ritual chant. Kids are not summoning spirits — they are excitedly repeating a meme.
What does the Bible say?
The Bible clearly warns us to avoid real occult practices:
- spells
- fortune-telling
- contacting the dead (Deut. 18:10–12)
- idolatry (1 Cor. 10:20–21)
These involve intent and worship, not excitedly shouting slang at a game or online12.
So what should Christians do?
If you don’t like the phrase, you don’t have to use it. But we also shouldn’t spread fear when there is no proof behind the claim.
A better response is to help our kids:
- think about what they say,
- understand the media they consume,
- follow Jesus with wisdom,
- and focus on what really matters spiritually.
Tier 3: The Deep Dive (Full Original Article)
A few weeks ago I introduced a sermon on Matthew 7:24–29 by providing our church with current slang terms to see if they could correctly guess what they mean. The purpose was to lead us through these terms until I got to built different. This phrase was going to set the stage for Jesus’ words and our main thought:
“To be built differently, you must build differently.”
That is, building a life on knowing and applying Jesus’ words.
During this introduction, I used the phrase “6–7.” I had too much fun, to say the least, and I had researched it thoroughly before using it. My kids assured me it meant nothing. Online sources agreed. Every explanation pointed to the same conclusion: it’s a meaningless, hype-style meme used by Gen Alpha.
However, the following Monday, I found a news article tying the phrase to a song by Skrilla, a Philadelphia rapper. That source said it most likely referenced a street or block number in Philadelphia1. Additionally, the phrase went viral because of TikTok edits and because a popular basketball player happens to be 6’7”2.
Then the last two weeks hit.
Suddenly, multiple Christians warned me that the phrase is demonic — that using it opens a spiritual doorway to occult involvement.
Wait… what?
If that accusation is true, then “6–7” needs to become an off-limits phrase in my house yesterday. But before we panic, preach warnings, or forbid our families from using a word or phrase, we need to do what wise Christians have always done:
Slow down. Test the claims. Examine the evidence.
Hold fast to what is good. (1 Thess. 5:21)
So let’s do that.
1. What Actually Is This Phrase?
To begin, here’s what reliable sources — journalists, linguists, dictionaries — report:
- It originated in Skrilla’s song “Doot Doot (6 7).”
Not as a ritual, but as a drill-style lyric13. - Skrilla himself says he never assigned it a meaning.
In his own words: “I never put an actual meaning on it and I still would not want to.”4 - It went viral through sports edits on TikTok and the “6–7 kid” meme.2
- Dictionary.com and Merriam-Webster both describe it as a “nonsensical exclamation.”
Dictionary.com named it the 2025 Word of the Year, calling it “deliberately meaningless”5.
Merriam-Webster labeled it a “nonsensical interjection”6.
So far, nothing here points to ritual, invocation, or spiritual content of any kind.
But this naturally raises another question: What about the claims being made in Christian circles?
2. What Is the New Claim?
The argument circulating in some Christian content goes like this:
- Skrilla has mentioned participating in Santería-type or Palo-type rituals7.
- These religions sometimes use numbers symbolically8.
- The numbers “6” and “7” might reference specific deities9.
- Therefore the viral phrase is a coded demonic invocation.
At first glance, this sounds serious and spiritual.
However, serious claims require serious evidence.
So… let’s test it.
3. Testing the Claim Biblically (1 Thess. 5:21; 1 John 4:1; Prov. 18:17)
Claim A: Skrilla practices non-Christian religions.
This is supported.
There are clips where he mentions sacrifice and terms connected to Santería or Palo. Those are real Afro-Caribbean religions involving spirits and offerings7.
However, this fact alone proves only something about him — not about the meme.
An artist’s personal religion does not turn every syllable they speak into a spell.
Claim B: 6 and 7 are numerals for deities.
This is not verifiable in any consistent, authoritative way.
Yes, Yoruba, Santería, and Palo do use symbols and sometimes numbers8.
However, the sources contradict one another.
For example:
- In some lists, “7” is linked to Ogun — not “6”9.
- Palo’s number symbolism is non-standardized and lineage-specific10.
And importantly, no scholar or practitioner has linked “6–7” as a ritual formula.
This claim comes mostly from social media speculation, not from:
- ethnographic study
- primary sources
- documented practice
- interviews with Skrilla
Claim C: Kids shouting it are invoking spirits.
Here Scripture is very clear:
Demonic participation involves intention and engagement with idols (1 Cor. 10:20–21)12.
Kids excitedly using hype slang with no meaning in their minds are not consciously or unconsciously worshiping anything.
If random syllables we excitedly or randomly shout could invoke demons, none of us would safely speak English — a language filled with ancient pagan references:
- Thursday = Thor’s Day
- January = Janus
- Marathon = dedicated to Pan
- Panic = spirit of Pan
- Nike = goddess of victory
(Cited broadly in historical linguistics and etymology)11.
Thus, biblical discernment requires truth — not superstition.
4. The Pattern: This Is Jim Staley’s “Santa = Satan” Logic All Over Again
Jim Staley famously argued:
- Santa sounds like Satan
- Both wear red
- Both “see you”
Therefore Santa is demonic.
His method was:
Association + speculation = accusation
The “6–7 is demonic” argument uses that exact same structure.
This is not biblical reasoning.
This is fear filling in gaps where evidence is absent.
Christians must exercise discernment — not imagination.
5. What Real Occult Involvement Actually Looks Like
Scripture warns us about genuine spiritual danger:
- Consulting mediums (Lev. 19:31)
- Seeking the dead (Deut. 18:10–12)
- Divination, spells, sorcery (Deut. 18:10)
- Idolatry and sacrifice to demons (1 Cor. 10:20–21)
These involve intention, practice, and worship12.
Not:
- a meaningless meme
- excitedly shouted syllables
- TikTok trends
- basketball chants
Therefore, Christians must reject real occultism — and also reject false accusations of occultism.
Both matter.
6. So… Is the Phrase Demonic?
Based on all actual evidence — not fear, not speculation, not social media:
We CAN say:
- ✔ Skrilla references syncretistic religions in interviews7.
- ✔ The meme originated from his song13.
- ✔ The phrase has no agreed-upon meaning456.
- ✔ Kids use it as nonsense hype2.
We CANNOT honestly say:
- ✘ It is a ritual formula
- ✘ It names pagan spirits
- ✘ It is used in Santería or Palo
- ✘ Kids are invoking demons
- ✘ The Bible warns against this kind of phrase
In short, the claims do not meet the biblical standard of truth.
7. But Should Christians Use It?
At this point, the question shifts from spiritual danger to spiritual wisdom.
You might personally decide:
- “It’s pointless; we don’t need that phrase.”
- “It’s brain-rot slang; we’ll avoid it.”
- “It’s harmless; my kids say dumber things.”
All of those are valid positions.
What is not valid is preaching speculation as biblical certainty.
8. The Real Discipleship Issue Isn’t the Meme — It’s Formation
The real question isn’t:
“Is this chant demonic?”
The real question is:
“Who disciples our kids more: TikTok or the Church?”
Their hearts need:
- the gospel
- godly habits
- wisdom
- media discernment
- critical thinking
- joy in Christ
- biblical literacy
Not fear of nonsense syllables.
My Final Thoughts
There is no credible biblical, historical, linguistic, or spiritual evidence that the viral phrase is a demonic chant or occult invocation. It is a meaningless meme connected to a drill-style song and sports edits.
That does not mean it is noble or necessary — but it does mean Christians should not spread accusations without evidence.
Our focus should not be policing syllables but forming disciples — teaching our kids how to test everything, cling to what is good, avoid what is truly evil, and follow Jesus wisely in a noisy world.
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References
- Skrilla — “Doot Doot (6 7)” origin: Multiple musical sources and reporting identify Skrilla’s track “Doot Doot (6 7)” as the earliest recognizable origin of the phrase, where it appears as part of the hook and lyrics. ↩
- Viral Basketball Clip (“6–7 Kid”): The youth basketball clip of a boy shouting “6–7” circulated widely on TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube. An early widely reshared upload is available here: Original “6–7 Kid” Video. ↩
- Phrase origins — drill/rap context: Online music journalism and meme-analysis articles consistently note that the phrase functions as a rhythmic, hype-style exclamation in a drill/rap context rather than as a religious or ritual term.
- Skrilla interview quote: In social-media circulated interview clips, Skrilla states: “I never put an actual meaning on it and I still would not want to.” These clips are referenced in commentary and breakdown videos discussing the meme’s rise. ↩
- Dictionary.com Word of the Year (2025): Dictionary.com featured “6–7” as the 2025 Word of the Year, describing it as “deliberately meaningless” and highlighting it as a nonsensical exclamation popular among Gen Alpha. ↩
- Merriam-Webster classification: Merriam-Webster listed the phrase as a modern slang term functioning as a “nonsensical interjection,” lacking real semantic content and used primarily for hype and emphasis. ↩
- Skrilla & Afro-Caribbean religious references: In unrelated interviews, Skrilla has referenced sacrifice, blood symbolism, or spiritual elements associated with syncretistic Afro-Caribbean traditions (for example, Santería or Palo). These statements reflect his personal background and do not establish any ritual meaning for the “6–7” phrase itself.
- Number symbolism in Yoruba/Santería traditions: Academic work on Yoruba-derived religions (e.g., Santería, Lukumí, Ifá) notes occasional symbolic uses of numbers in some ritual lineages, but emphasizes that these meanings are non-universal, inconsistent, and vary between houses. No scholarly source associates the combination “6–7” with any standard ritual use. ↩
- Claimed deity-number associations: Some non-academic online charts attempt to link specific numbers with particular deities (e.g., “7” with Ogun), but these charts regularly contradict one another and are not rooted in primary ethnographic or liturgical sources.
- Palo Mayombe ritual symbolism: Ethnographic studies of Palo Mayombe note the use of signs, sticks, nkisi markings, and cosmograms, but do not document “6–7” as any kind of standardized chant or invocation. Palo is highly lineage-specific, and there is no recognized numeric formula using “6–7.”
- Linguistic history of English words with pagan roots: Standard etymological sources list many common English words deriving from pagan deities or practices, such as: Thursday (Thor’s Day), January (Janus), panic (from Pan), and Nike (Greek goddess of victory). These examples illustrate that etymological origin does not create ongoing spiritual danger for everyday speech.
- Biblical warnings about occult practices: Key passages include: – Deuteronomy 18:10–12 — forbids divination, sorcery, consulting spirits, and seeking the dead – Leviticus 19:31 — commands Israel to avoid mediums and spiritists – 1 Corinthians 10:20–21 — warns believers against participating in idolatry and sharing in the “cup of demons” These warnings consistently emphasize intentional worship or spiritual engagement, not slang shouted excitedly at a game. ↩
Sources for Further Study
Academic Works on Santería / Palo
- Murphy, Joseph M. Santería: African Spirits in America.
- Ochoa, Todd Ramon. Society of the Dead: Quita Manaquita and Palo Praise in Cuba.
- Brandon, George. Santería from Africa to the New World.
- Olmos, Margarite Fernández, and Lizabeth Paravisini-Gebert. Creole Religions of the Caribbean.
On Discernment and Testing Claims
- D.A. Carson — The Gagging of God
- John Frame — The Doctrine of the Christian Life
- Kevin DeYoung — Taking God at His Word
- Tim Keller — Counterfeit Gods
On Viral Trends / Linguistics
- Gretchen McCulloch — Because Internet
- Ben Zimmer (linguist, WSJ language columnist)
- Dictionary.com Language Blog
Thank you for this clear, reasonable, and biblically sound argument.
Eph 6:12
Titus 1:10
Eph 5:6
Prov 10:19
James 3:6
2 Tim 2:16-17
Eph 4:29
Col 4:6
Matt 12:36
Titus 1:10
Eph 4:27
Eph 6:10-18
1 Jn 4:1
Phil 1:9-10
Heb 5:14
1 Cor 2:12
Jn 14:26
I appreciate the concern about spiritual influences in culture, but Scripture calls us to test things carefully (1 John 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:21). The term “6-7” is a viral internet meme that originated in a song and spread as hype slang, with no biblical, occult, or ritual meaning found in credible sources.
If the mere combination of the numbers 6 and 7 were inherently demonic, then the implication would extend far beyond internet slang—to ordinary counting, mathematics, or even Scripture references themselves (such as chapter 6, verse 7). That illustrates why context and intent matter greatly when determining whether something is sinful, spiritually harmful, or demonic.
Scripture consistently teaches that words, objects, and practices derive their moral or spiritual weight from meaning, use, and intent—not from fear-based associations. Christians should therefore avoid speculation driven by fear and instead seek discernment rooted in truth, building one another up in grace and wisdom (Ephesians 4:29; Colossians 4:6).
I think something that originated from a man who is openly worshiping, summoning, and sacrificing to demons cannot be anything but evil. It’s logical that the number itself isn’t necessarily evil, but just because a demon worshiper says it has no inherent meaning to him, doesn’t mean it has no meaning. He also says he “not allowed to explain it” when talking about how he sacrifices animals to put bad spirits on people to kill or harm them. He intentionally put the number one song of baby shark in the song to target kids. And the greatest way that demons work is to make themselves seem innocuous and no big deal. The ferocity with which this circled the globe, the way in which kids literally can’t seem to stop themselves, the disruption and problems it causes to order and learning and logic, the sources it comes from, and how it shows a worship of and belonging to an evil world, all indicate some level of demonic interaction. Yes, your arguments show that it’s possible that there is not a demonic basis, but your arguments don’t prove there isn’t. That’s your opinion. And since this is an incredibly dangerous topic to be wrong about, and it comes from an evil man who promotes harm and death and demonic worship, maybe it shouldn’t be played with or put in sermons.
I appreciate your concern for children and your desire to take spiritual matters seriously—that’s something Christians should care about.
At the same time, Scripture calls us to discernment rooted in truth, not fear or speculation. The Bible is clear when something is demonic, and it does not ask us to infer spiritual warfare from popularity, repetition, global spread, or emotional intensity. Those things describe modern digital culture just as easily as anything else.
We should absolutely be thoughtful about what shapes our kids, how much screen time they have, and what they imitate—but we also need to be careful not to attribute demonic intent where Scripture does not clearly do so. When we do, we risk training people to see Satan everywhere and Christ’s authority nowhere.
My goal isn’t to minimize concerns, but to keep our thinking anchored in Scripture, evidence, and calm discernment rather than fear-driven conclusions.
The bigger issue that should terrify us is how global this is. Kids have always imitated things. But when I was a child, trends stayed on the playground in my school or within my neighborhood or at most within my town. This is absolutely global. Overnight. That means that very young children are not only present online with the global community to a degree that is unsafe, but that they are actively participating in generating culture, something children don’t have the judgment or wisdom to safely do. I have never in my life seen a child chant the words of Christ with any where near the same passion as I see these kids nonsensically and hypnotically chant 6-7 like zombies. They absolutely can’t stop themselves. It isn’t something I’ve ever seen before. There has always been slang. There has always been shared language amongst a people or generation that makes them feel connected. This is on an entirely new level. A level that is consuming and unrelenting. Those are words I would use to describe demonic interaction. These children are enslaved to this nonsense, and the worst part is that people are saying, oh it’s harmless fun. No one is even calling it what it is. Insidious. It’s an insidious pull into the world that we are meant to be apart from. we are to be in it, but not of it. This is a chant that says, I am of this world and I revel in it, and it’s being done by kids while parents and teachers smile stupidly and shake their heads. No big deal. We have a culture of idiocy that is silently and innocently leaning into the evil powers in this world, and letting that suck up every ounce of time and attention we could ever have for family or life or Christ.