Celebrating Black Men With Long Hair

Younger generations might recognize him from his marvelous appearance in Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories, but with a musical career that has spanned more than four decades, he has written, produced and performed on albums selling more than 500 million copies.

Co-founder of Chic, he is a three-time Grammy Award winner, member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, of which he later became chairman.

The official music video for Lose Yourself to Dance is basically required viewing, with Nile Rodgers alongside Pharell Williams, with their sparkling jackets, that smile, that hair, that music, the whole mix! Wow.

The longhaired Toussaint Louverture was a freedom fighting revolutionary, dedicated to the cause of extending the core ideals and rights of the French Revolution to the enslaved men of the French colony of Haiti. United under the cry “Liberte ou la mort,” the Haitian people fought valiantly against the tyranny of slavery and broke their chains.

Despite the odds, L'ouverture led his people to victory over one of the most powerful empires the world had ever seen, and laid the foundation for a republic of the Haitian people, free of slavery.

His actions would go on to inspire revolts against slavery across the globe. In most depictions of Louverture, he rocks his elegant locks tied with a blue ribbon.

Bob Marley was indisputably one of the most famous, iconic, and talented artists of the 70s and 80s. This Jamaican legend dropped Earth-shaking hits such as One Love, No Woman, No Cry, Redemption Song, and dozens of other songs that will forever go down in histories as staples of modern music.

However, Marley’s music was not his only contribution to the world. Marley espoused in both his songs and personal life staunch commitment to the liberation of Africans around the world, contributing to the cause known as “Pan-Africanism.” Additionally his famous dreadlocks which he wore so well were rooted in his commitment to his religion: Rastafari.

Without a doubt, Bob Marley’s influence on the world, both in music and in society, will stay with us for ages to come.

Jean-Michel Basquiat’s role in the street art movements of the late 1970s and 80s cannot be overemphasized. His unique style and influence on art of the following decades have enjoyed resurgent popularity, and you’d be hard-pressed to find another artist quite like Basquiat.

His art featured many commentaries on social ills and has been showcased and exhibited in dozens of museums around the world. Despite his tragically short life, Basquiat’s impact on art was indelible.

A paragon amongst Americans, Douglass’ “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass” remains one of the most taught and widely read pieces of literature in our nation’s history, highlighting the brutality of slavery and keeping us in constant remembrance and observance of our dark past.

Despite being forbidden to read and write as a slave, Frederick Douglass would go on to become one of the great orators of American history, passionately retelling the brutalities of his early life and arguing for emancipation and an immediate end to slavery.

Prince’s death in 2016 produced an emotional outpouring of millions who had been touched, inspired, and awed by the musical legend. Bops like “When Doves Cry” and “Little Red Corvette” can still be heard today and have had a lasting impact on musical culture.

In addition to his influential discography, Prince’s music and image often challenged expectations of masculinity, rocking all kinds of sick do’s from afros to blow-outs in his proud expression of freedom from notions of gender conformity.

His presentation allowed a lot of people, men and non-men alike, to feel comfortable in their own skin and being their real selves.

Indisputably, Jimi Hendrix is one of the most renowned and influential musicians of the 20th century, and certainly one of the most recognizable black men with long hair of all time.

Armed with a wild mane, an iconic Stratocaster, and a funky ‘do, Hendrix’s talent remains unmatched by any guitarist to come after him. The unique style and feel of his music, influenced by the turbulent times of the 60s, made songs like “All Along The Watchtower” and “Wild Thing,” staples of American music.

A standout wide receiver in the NFL, Larry Fitzgerald will be considered among the greats in professional football history. 11 Pro Bowls, a First Team All-Pro in 2008, second all-time in receptions, second in receiving yards, sixth in receiving touchdowns and ninth in games started, he’s a guaranteed Hall of Famer when he hangs up the cleats.