Lil B
An American rapper and internet philosopher who built a cult-like following through sheer volume, positivity, and pioneering the chaotic 'based' aesthetic online.
Born 1989 (age 37)·American rapper and record producer·Birthday: August 17·Millennials
Biography
Lil B is less a traditional rapper and more a foundational force of internet-era culture. Emerging from the Bay Area group The Pack, whose hit "Vans" was a regional anthem, he embarked on a solo path that defied all music industry logic. He released thousands of songs, often for free, flooding the internet with a chaotic mix of earnest positivity, absurdist humor, and surprisingly sharp social commentary under the mantle of "BasedGod." This prolific output, combined with a deeply engaged, meme-savvy relationship with fans on platforms like MySpace and Twitter, forged a uniquely personal connection. While critics dismissed his lo-fi, off-the-cuff style, Lil B's influence is undeniable; he presaged the DIY, direct-to-fan ethos of SoundCloud rap, turned internet slang into a lifestyle, and curated a mythology that treated every tweet and track as part of one endless, collaborative performance.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Lil was born in 1989, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Lil Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Lil's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- As a member of The Pack, reached the Billboard Hot 100 with the viral hit "Vans" in 2006.
- Pioneered the "based" philosophy and aesthetic, which became a widespread internet subculture.
- Released a staggering volume of free music online, building a dedicated fanbase outside traditional industry channels.
- His 2010 mixtape '6 Kiss' is considered a foundational text of the cloud rap and based movements.
Did You Know?
He wrote and published a book of recipes and life advice called 'The BasedGod's Lifestyle.'
Lil B engaged in a famous, good-natured 'curse' on NBA player Kevin Durant, which Durant acknowledged.
He took college courses at the University of California, Berkeley.
His 2011 track "I'm God" has been sampled by major artists including Chance the Rapper.
“Stay based. Protect based. Thank you based god.”
