The term 'based' originated from the slang word 'basehead' which was used in the 1980s to describe people addicted to freebasing cocaine, a method which makes the drug smokable. Over time, the term 'based' evolved to mean someone who is true to themselves and does not care about what others think of them. This meaning was popularized by the rapper Lil B, who is also known as 'The Based God.'