In the music industry, the number 87 often serves as slang for "dead" or "obsolete." This usage is derived from police code 10-87, which signifies that the subject is deceased. However, 87 can also be interpreted positively in the context of music, denoting a high level of skill or excellence, particularly in the hip-hop community. Artists may refer to themselves as "87" to assert their proficiency and dominance in the genre.