The Hidden Meanings Of 'Throwing Up 4s': Gang Sign, Viral Meme, Or Sports Signal?

The hand gesture known as 'throwing up 4s' is one of the most contextually complex and potentially dangerous signals in modern American pop culture, carrying wildly different meanings depending on where and when it is used. As of late 2024 and early 2025, the phrase and the accompanying hand sign—typically made by holding up four fingers—has exploded in popularity across social media, leading to widespread confusion and a fresh wave of debate about its true origins and intentions. This deep dive will break down the multiple layers of meaning, from its serious gang roots to its current, often contradictory, internet slang interpretations, ensuring you understand the full scope of this viral phenomenon.

The core intention behind the gesture is often one of solidarity, but the group being represented can range from a notorious street gang to a specific neighborhood, or even a humorous inside joke among friends. Understanding the context—who is throwing the sign and where they are—is absolutely critical to deciphering whether it’s a sign of serious affiliation or just a harmless, trending pose for a photo. The information here is based on the most recent cultural shifts and documented usages of the sign.

The Critical Context: 'Throwing Up 4s' as a Gang Sign

The most historically significant and potentially hazardous meaning of 'throwing up 4s' is its association with gang culture and neighborhood representation. This usage is prevalent across the United States, particularly in urban areas, and is not a universal sign for one specific gang, but rather a regional identifier.

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Rollin 40s and Regional Sets

In many regions, especially on the West Coast, 'throwing up 4s' is directly associated with specific Crips sets. The most commonly cited affiliation is with the Rollin 40s Crips (also known as the Rollin’ 40s Neighborhood Crips) in Los Angeles. For members of this set, the four fingers are a sign of allegiance and a way to represent their neighborhood, or "set," within the larger gang structure. This is a serious, non-negotiable symbol of identity and loyalty.

The "Four Sides of the Block" Origin

Beyond specific gang names, the number four often symbolizes a geographical area. One common interpretation is that the "4s" represent the four sides of a city block, and "throwing up" the sign means raising that neighborhood or area above all others. This concept is prominent in areas like Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where the phrase "throw your 4s up" is used to represent the Nawfside (Northside). In this context, the gesture is a declaration of neighborhood pride and dominance. Conversely, in some areas, holding the four fingers upside down can represent a rival area, such as the Southside.

Other Gang Affiliations

The sign is not exclusive to Crip-affiliated gangs. Depending on the city, other groups have adopted or adapted the sign:

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• Zoe Gangs: In certain regions, members of Zoe-affiliated groups have been known to "throw up 4s."
• Various Crip Sets: Outside of the Rollin 40s, other Crips sets in different cities also use the four-finger sign as a general identifier.

In summary, if you see the sign used in a context that involves hip-hop, street culture, or urban photography, the most likely and serious interpretation is that it is a gang or neighborhood affiliation sign. Exercising caution and awareness of local context is advised, as the gesture can be a challenge or a declaration of territory.

The Viral Shift: 'Throwing Up 4s' as Internet Slang and Meme

In a significant cultural twist, the meaning of 'throwing up 4s' has been heavily diluted, recontextualized, and even weaponized by younger generations on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Reddit. This digital evolution has created a series of contradictory and often humorous, non-serious meanings that clash directly with its street origins.

The "Zero Bitches" Meme

Perhaps the most popular and recent internet slang interpretation is a highly derogatory one. In various social media circles, 'throwing up 4s' has become a meme to signify that a person "gets zero bitches" or is generally unpopular and undesirable. This meaning is a clear example of how internet culture can take a serious symbol and completely invert its meaning for comedic or mocking purposes. It's a form of digital hazing where the sign is used to call someone a "melon head" or a social outcast.

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Personalized and Inside Joke Meanings

The term has also been appropriated for hyper-specific, non-sensical, and often romanticized inside jokes, demonstrating its complete detachment from its original context:

• Adrian/Jayedin Affiliation: Multiple Urban Dictionary entries, which reflect fleeting internet trends, claim the sign means being "in love with a guy named Adrian" or that a person's "favorite person" is Jayedin. These examples highlight the sign's current function as a customizable, low-commitment symbol for any arbitrary allegiance.
• "Gang Fr" (Gang For Real): Despite the derogatory memes, some users still use the term in a non-gang-affiliated way to mean they are "gang fr" (gang for real) or a "real a n**," attempting to project a tough or authentic persona without actual street ties.

'Fours Up' in Sports and Other Niche Contexts

While the gang and internet meanings dominate the conversation, the number four has also appeared as a hand signal in other, completely unrelated contexts, further adding to the confusion. These meanings are generally less common but are important for a complete understanding of the gesture's topical authority.

The Fourth Quarter Signal

In American sports, particularly football, the four fingers held up can be a simple, non-controversial signal to denote the start of the fourth quarter. This is a way for players to acknowledge the final, most crucial part of the game, often as a sign of rallying or renewed focus. This meaning is entirely benign and context-specific to the playing field.

The UCLA 'Fours Up' Controversy

In a unique case in college sports, UCLA defensive back Jaleel Wadood unveiled a variation of the 'Fours Up' signal. His gesture involved holding out four fingers on each hand, with the thumbs tucked in. In his context, four plus four was intended to equal eight, which was the number of the jersey he wore at the time. This specific, personal signal demonstrates how individuals can co-opt and redefine hand gestures, even if they visually resemble more controversial signs.

Deciphering the Intention: A Guide to Context

Given the vastly different meanings of 'throwing up 4s,' how can one determine the true intention? It all comes down to the environment and the individual:

• Geographic Location: In major metropolitan areas with known gang activity (e.g., Los Angeles, Chicago, Baton Rouge), the gang affiliation meaning is the primary concern and should be taken seriously.
• Social Media/Meme Culture: If the sign is used by a teenager in a heavily filtered TikTok video, or in a comment section referencing an unpopular person, it is almost certainly the non-serious, derogatory meme.
• Professional/Sports Context: If used by an athlete during a game, especially at the beginning of the final period, the meaning is almost certainly the sports-related fourth-quarter signal.
• Surrounding Language: If the gesture is accompanied by phrases like "Nawfside," "Crip," or "set," the context is clearly gang-related. If the language is self-deprecating or mocking, it's internet slang.

Ultimately, 'throwing up 4s' is a powerful example of a symbol with a very serious origin being completely fractured by the digital age. While its roots are in street solidarity and gang representation, its current virality has turned it into a confusing, multi-layered piece of modern slang, making context the only reliable key to its true meaning.