Jay-Z has embarked on an event with The Roots for "The Roots Picnic," a two day music festival that also featured other musical acts. The 56 year old rapper and businessman showcased a new look to the sold out crowd! He's unraveled his freeform locs and debuted an afro on the first day of "The Roots Picnic" which began on May 31st in Philadelphia, PA.
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Jay-Z's natural hair journey evolved when he decided to grow out his hair for starters locs during the era of he and Beyonce's, Everything is Love album. On the album cover, he was seen sporting a TWA (teeny weeny afro).
The powerhouse duo stood in front of the acclaimed and revered Mona Lisa painting which is situated in the Louvre Museum in Paris, France. The photo itself, much like a work of art, could be interpreted in a number of ways. Were they declaring their net worth as a couple-- much like the value of the Mona Lisa? Or was it a declaration of the significance of the couple's body of work in comparison to sought after art works like the Mona Lisa? Whatever the interpretation, it is clear that art has influenced the couple in more ways than one including their personal style.
For Jay-Z, Jean Michele Basquiat was a muse and inspiration.
Both born in Brooklyn, in the month of December and both powerhouse artists in their own right. If Basquiat were still alive, they'd probably have been great friends.
Jay-Z's shorter hairstyle would eventually evolve into a bold Basquiat inspired look with his locs jutting out in all directions. He would ultimately grow his locs to shoulder length hair and began wearing his hair styled in thick cylindrical back-length locs.
Natural hair journeys are unique to the wearer. One can begin with a big chop or starter locs and end up choosing to wear a completely different style years later.
There's no set instructions to follow when natural hair is involved. The most important act that one can do while on the journey is to embrace your hair and its texture. It makes the journey much easier. There is a ton of freedom in the choices that can be made and the directions that can be taken style-wise. It's all about learning and loving your hair completely---in it's most natural essence.
Jay-Z had recently expressed in an interview that he was trying to decide on whether he should cut his locs as his daughter, Blue Ivy, didn't desire it for her dad. She believes the locs are a part of who her dad is. What a wise statement coming from a young one! Our hair is part of us. Furthermore, we should never seek to alter the texture of our hair. It was given to us from birth so why try to chemically change what you naturally are and possess? The new afro style is very fitting for Jay-Z. After seeing a short clip of his performance, the resemblance between he and his daughter, Blue is apparent. We can't forget about the time where she wore her cute curly afro!
Wearing an afro is one of the most powerful statements that a black person can make. It shows a oneness with the struggle and it is a revolt against the washing away of the black essence. It is a reclaiming of our ancestry and a recognition of those who went before us who were not celebrated for their afrocentric features. Whether Jay-Z will be keeping his afro for the next several years is unknown as he did state that his favorite way to wear his hair naturally is in a caesar cut, which he ultimately deemed, "the New York City money cut."
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