Airhead (subculture)



Airhead, also known as ghetto prep, popular, basic bitch, or simply basic, is a slang term in American popular culture used to pejoratively describe women (usually white) who like only mainstream products, trends, or music. Airhead dates back to the late 1980s as a derogatory term for a stupid or unaware person, while Basic Bitch originated in hip-hop culture during the early 2010s. It rose in popularity through rap music, songs, blogs, and videos from 2011 to 2014, when the basic bitch phenomenon was parodied by College Humor. Interpretations of the term vary and its use has been criticized for being an overly vague and a misogynistic insult.