The History and Legacy of 187 - California's Notorious Murder Code

The History and Meaning of 187

The numbers 1-8-7 hold great significance in American street and hip hop culture. But what exactly does 187 mean and where did it originate from?

187 is a California Penal Code for murder. Section 187 defines murder as the unlawful killing of a human being or unborn child with malice aforethought. This penal code has become a shorthand way for referencing murder, particularly in street slang and rap lyrics.

The origins of 187 as a reference to murder likely began in California gang culture in the 1980s. Southern California was plagued by gang violence and the LAPD reported over 1,000 gang-related killings in Los Angeles alone during the decade.

Rappers and gang members from California, such as Ice-T and Too $hort, began referencing 187 in their lyrics. For gangs, graffiti and tattoos of 187 were used to boast about murders committed as well as threaten rival gangs. On the 1992 album Deep Cover by Dr. Dre, the lyrics 187 on an undercover cop became a controversial reference to killing police officers.

Origin Theories

There are a few theories about how the California penal code became so deeply ingrained in West Coast gang culture:

• Some say it began with the homicide of LAPD officer Thomas C. Williams in 1985. His badge number was 187 and supporters wore 187 shirts to the trials of his accused killers.
• Other stories trace it back to the murder of high school student Michael Mata in Los Angeles in 1984. His senseless killing supposedly led to 187 becoming slang for murder.
• The code may also be linked to the 1987 murder trial of Raymond Washington, the founder of the Crips gang. The case was 187-PC-84 and highlighted how dangerous LA had become.

Whatever its exact origin, 187 as shorthand for murder was cemented through rap music and the gangster lifestyle promoted by West Coast hip hop artists in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

187 in Rap Lyrics

As gangster rap exploded in popularity, 187 became a recurring theme used to reflect the violence and crime portrayed in the music.

Ice-T was one of the first rappers to use 187 in his seminal gangster album Rhyme Pays released in 1987. On the track 187, Ice-T spins a gritty first-person narrative about being a murderer for hire.

Too $hort referenced 187 on his 1987 track Invasion of the Flat Booty Bitches, using it to brag about killing an enemy during a shooting.

As Dr. Dre rose to fame, his lyrics firmly established 187 in rap as a synonym for murder, including on the controversial track 187um in 1993.

By the 1990s, scores of West Coast rappers had used 187 in their lyrics, including Snoop Dogg, Tupac Shakur, Spice 1, Eazy E and Above the Law. Saying 187 conveyed the lawlessness and hyper-violent nature of west coast gang rivalry and life.

Beyond California, rappers elsewhere began using the penal code in lyrics to establish their criminal credibility. Hip hop artists from Houston, Atlanta, New York and beyond referenced 187 in their songs.

While less common today, modern west coast rappers continue using 187 as a callback to the gang-dominated sound that defined 90s hip hop.

Controversy & Censorship

187 references have often caused controversy and resulted in censorship. In 1992, traffic cops pressured billboard owners in LA to remove ads for Dr. Dres album The Chronic because it referenced 187 on an undercover cop.

MTV and radio stations began bleeping out 187 in songs in the early 1990s to avoid promoting violence. Rappers accused censors of being out of touch with street culture.

But overtime 193, 148 and other numbers emerged as replacements for saying 187 in cleaned-up songs aimed for mainstream radio play. Despite the controversy, 187 remains cemented in rap culture as part of the genre's history.

187 in California Today

While rap has gone mainstream, 187 continues to carry weight in the streets, especially in California. Gang members still get 187 tattoos and tag the number as a threat.

However, most Californians are likely unaware of the penal code's violent connotations. For many, it is simply the name of a highway Interstate 187 that runs through the state.

Nonetheless, the impact of 187 is still felt through high profile gang murders. The 2019 killing of rapper Nipsey Hussle in LA outside his store called The Marathon Store highlighted how street violence persists.

As long as gang conflict and violent crime remain woven into the fabric of Los Angeles and urban communities, 187 will likely continue holding relevance in Californias cultural landscape.

187 Impact on Popular Culture

Beyond its strong ties to California gang culture, 187 has impacted wider popular culture in multiple ways:

• There have been songs dedicated to 187 by bands including Slayer, Face to Face, and People Under the Stairs.
• "Murder Was the Case", the 1994 song and short film starring Snoop Dogg, was renamed from 187 um.
• There is a 2009 film called One Eight Seven starring Samuel L. Jackson about a Los Angeles high school overrun by gang violence.
• Clothing brands have embraced the number, with fashion labels like 187 Inc and clothing lines featuring the numbers.

While 187 began as an obscure California penal code, its influence has stretched far beyond the law books and into music, fashion, film and other aspects of popular culture.

187 Outside California

California's street slang has spread across the United States with help from rap music and movies. As a result, 187 is now often used as a shorthand for murder in other regions as well.

However, some states have their own codes that are better known locally. For example, in New York, murder is covered under Penal Law 125, so you may hear 125 used instead.

Other local variants have also emerged:

• In Georgia, 150 is sometimes used as shorthand for murder based on their penal code.
• Illinois gang members may reference 097 from their murder statute.
• 010 is used in Maryland as their penal code for homicide.

Still, 187 remains the most widely recognized number slang for murder due to the nationwide popularity of west coast hip hop.

187 Meaning Internationally

Internationally, 187 as slang for murder is rarely used or recognized. However, there are some instances of its use globally thanks to the worldwide spread of American rap music and culture.

For example, a Swedish rap song released in 2010 titled 187 repeatedly uses the number even though Sweden's legal code is entirely different.

Overall though, 187 is still mostly a California-born and bred term unlikely to hold meaning elsewhere. It emerged from the streets of Los Angeles and remains deeply rooted in the states hip hop scene and gang culture.

Summary: The Legacy of 187

In summary, 187 began as just another penal code but took on a life of its own within California's rap, gang and street lexicon due to the rampant violence and crime in the state during the 80s and 90s.

It has since spread nationally and globally but remains most relevant in its birthplace of California. The numbers 1-8-7 are tied to the identity and dark history of street life in Los Angeles and other urban areas that embraced gangster rap.

While its use has lessened, hearing 187 in lyrics serves as a reminder of the often grim and violent realities that birthed west coast hip hop. The story of 187 provides a window into understanding the forces and culture behind California rap's hard-edged image.

So in summary, 187 is more than just a penal code - its a California number that represents a significant chapter in the history of hip hop and American street culture.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.