The internet is nothing if not unpredictable, and the "67 kid meme" is a perfect example—an absurd, semantically empty phrase that somehow became a seismic cultural moment. From its chaotic origin on the sidelines of a youth basketball game to analog horror spinoffs and mainstream reactions, this trend reveals how digital culture evolves. Let’s dive into it.
Origin: The Accidental Viral Star
On March 31, 2025, YouTuber Cam Wilder uploaded a video titled "MY OVERPOWERED AAU TEAM HAS FINALLY RETURNED!" In the 13:24 minute mark, the camera cuts to a blonde, fluffy-haired boy clad in a Fear of God Essentials hoodie, energetically shouting, “Ay, 6-7,” to the camera (knowyourmeme.com). That boy—Maverick Trevillian—instantly became known as the "67 Kid." Within weeks, clips of his moment exploded on TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts (knowyourmeme.com).
The Meme’s Spread: Absurdity Meets Virality
Why “6‑7”?
The phrase is rooted in rapper Skrilla’s song "Doot Doot (6 7)," released in late 2024. It features the lyrics “6‑7, I just bipped right on the highway,” repeated with no clear meaning. Still, weirdness is the point—Skrilla himself acknowledged its vagueness is what keeps people saying it (en.wikipedia.org).
TikTok exploded with the “6-7” craze. Teachers reported students chanting it in class; restaurant employees heard kids waiting to hear order number 67 called; users tagged content, satire, and more with the nonsensical phrase (washingtonpost.com).
Dictionary’s Word of the Year
Despite its absurdity, Dictionary.com named “67” the 2025 Word of the Year, citing its viral, brain‑rotting power, and generational reach (en.wikipedia.org).
Cultural Ripples and Real-World Impact
The meme wasn’t just trapped online—it crept into daily life in surprising ways:
In-N-Out Burger: The chain eventually removed the number 67 from its order system because teens would linger just to hear it called—too much disruption (nypost.com).
Google Easter Egg: Search “67” or “6‑7,” and the Google page jumps up and down in a cheeky nod to the meme’s famous hand gesture (thescottishsun.co.uk).
Media Parody: South Park even referenced it in a Season 27 episode, poking at its inexplicable fame with millions tuning in (nme.com).
Analog Horror Version: SCP‑067
As if the meme wasn’t bizarre enough, a chilling new iteration emerged—SCP‑067, or the “67 Kid Analog Horror” meme. Starting in August 2025, creators began editing the kid’s face—glowing eyes, gaping mouth, grayscale glitch effects—styled after internet horror and referencing the SCP Foundation (knowyourmeme.com). These edits gave the meme a disturbing, uncanny twist that spawned countless reposts and remixes.
The Stereotype: Mason 67
The meme also fostered a satirical archetype: “Mason 67.” Mason represents a stereotypical white Gen‑Alpha/Gen‑Z kid quoting “6‑7” endlessly—complete with ice‑cream haircut, Yeezy slides, Christian baseball shirts and Pit Viper shades. This caricature skewered the idea of suburban kids co‑opting culture for clicks (knowyourmeme.com).
What This Says About Modern Meme Culture
The “67 Kid” phenomenon isn’t just a silly chant—it’s a window into meme dynamics:
Brain‑rot culture: Embracing meaningless absurdity fosters inclusion in digital youth tribes (en.wikipedia.org).
Literal crossovers: Online trends now cause real reactions—like skipping order numbers or parodying search engines.
Rapid escalation: A simple video clip can morph into caricatures, horror tropes, mainstream parodies, and real-world disruptions—all within months.
“Something that you would have thought would have gone away, it just kept on growing larger and larger, snowballing into kind of like a cultural phenomenon.” — Steve Johnson, Dictionary Media Group (people.com)
Conclusion
The 67 Kid meme shows how a fleeting, meaningless phrase—born from a rap lyric and delivered by a random kid—can spiral into a cultural force. It became a journalistic word of the year, disrupted burger counters, commanded search engine Easter eggs, and inspired analog horror artistry. Above all, it proves how absurdity is the lifeblood of meme culture, especially for younger generations that thrive on randomness and shared in-jokes.
FAQ
What does “6‑7” actually mean?
Nothing, and that's the point. It's intentionally nonsense—its viral power lies in being vague and catchy.
Who is the "67 Kid"?
A young boy named Maverick Trevillian who yelled “Ay, 6‑7” in a 2025 YouTube clip and became the face of the meme.
What is SCP‑067?
An analog horror meme iteration where the 67 Kid’s image is warped into a glitchy, horror-style edit.
Why did In-N-Out remove number 67?
Teens acted on the meme by waiting for the number to be called, causing disruption in-store—so it was dropped from the sequence.
Is “67” still trending now?
Although the meme peaked in 2025, its ripples continue—it's embedded in meme culture, history, and even search engines.
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