Dreadlocks, or locs, have a rich and complex history, evolving from a symbol of spiritual and cultural identity to a mainstream hairstyle embraced by diverse communities worldwide. While the style enjoys widespread appeal, its appropriation by individuals outside its cultural origins has often sparked controversy. This article explores the history of dreadlocks, their cultural significance, and the debates surrounding their adoption, including the case of Brad Pitt and other celebrities.
The practice of locking hair dates back centuries, with evidence found in various cultures around the world. Ancient civilizations, including those in India, Greece, and Africa, have all displayed variations of the style. However, the modern association of dreadlocks is most strongly linked to the Rastafari movement that emerged in Jamaica in the 1930s.
Rastafarianism arose as a response to the socioeconomic inequalities faced by the poor and marginalized in Jamaican society. The act of growing dreadlocks held deep spiritual significance, representing a connection to Jah (God) and a rejection of Babylonian society, which they viewed as oppressive. The purpose of locking one’s hair was to provoke dread (or fear) in the onlooker. Over time, its worldwide appeal has inspired awe and is loosely attributed to socially conscious reggae music and ganja smoking.
Today, the hair locking trend has cross-cultural appeal. There are the hardcore Dreads who never cut or treat their locs as these sacred, knotted bands represent a spiritual journey devoid of unnatural chemicals (and unsolicited touching). Then there are the Fashion Dreads-folks who enjoy locs as a hairstyle and hire professionals to maintain and treat them.
Like most cities throughout the world, Miami’s hair locking trend has cross-cultural appeal. South Florida is no exception to the trend. Sandy Dorsainvil, who lives in Pembroke Pines, chopped off her hair and started locking six years ago. Now she enjoys flipping her natural, long hair like a white girl. “I love the fact that my hair is mine,” said Dorsainvil. “I love the way it smells and the feeling of my significant other’s fingers running through it.” She’s one of many locals who have traded their wigs and weaves for beeswax and exchanged do-rag wave caps for dread wraps.
Read also: Achieving the Fury Look
Miami’s growing loc-hair demographic has inspired an emergence of loc professionals (locticians) who specialize in everything from starting new locs to creating twists, adding extensions and caring for cranial prosthetic locs.
In a visual ode to a popular Bob Marley photo, even Brad Pitt tosses locs in Interview Magazine’s October/ November 2012 issue. In 2014, Brad Pitt's decision to wear dreadlocks for a photoshoot with Interview magazine sparked controversy, igniting a debate about cultural appropriation. For some reason, Brad thought that his 2014 photoshoot for Interview, in which he dressed as a series of characters, would be the perfect time to sew in some extensions and chant down Babylon. Spoiler: It wasn’t. Diddly-no-oh-ohhhh!
Cultural appropriation refers to the adoption or use of elements of a minority culture by members of the dominant culture. Critics argued that Pitt, as a white celebrity, was appropriating a hairstyle with deep cultural and historical roots in the Black community, particularly within the Rastafari movement.
Critics often point out that when worn by people of color, dreadlocks are often met with prejudice and discrimination, while white individuals are often praised for their "edgy" or "unique" style. This disparity highlights the power dynamics at play and the ways in which cultural elements can be decontextualized and commodified when adopted by the dominant culture.
Brad Pitt is not the only celebrity to have faced criticism for wearing dreadlocks. Justin Bieber also faced backlash for sporting the hairstyle. Don’t say Biebs isn’t a master of reinvention. Not only did he bring out the blond joints in 2016, but he saw fit to re-up his look on its five-year anniversary. Combine their foulness with the patchy-ass, nonconnecting beard, and you’ve got something that’s less natty than ratty. Twice, Biebs? Twice? He reportedly told rapper Big Sean: “[People say] you wanna be black and all that stuff, I’m like ‘it’s just my hair.’”
Read also: The Timeless Appeal of Brad Pitt's Hair
Other celebrities who have sported dreadlocks include:
Adam Duritz (Counting Crows): Adam Duritz is 51! Wow. He has also dated both Courteney Cox and Jennifer Aniston, the latter of whom sported dreadlocks at the 1999 Emmys. From a 2008 Rolling Stone interview: “His dreadlocks - which he has always freely admitted are hair extensions - are fascinating up close. They’re so incongruous with the rest of his appearance… that you half expect them to begin moving, like a giant tarantula. Not long ago, Duritz’s publicist urged him to shave his head, but he wouldn’t do it. ‘Whatever they hide or cover about myself, you know, they feel good,’ he says. ‘And I did not want to be skinhead guy.’”
Jonathan Davis (Korn): From a 2011 interview with Loudwire, when asked why he got dreadlocks: “I decided because of laziness, I didn’t want to have to do anything to my hair anymore, that was it, that was the main reason. I’m a lazy guy, you just get up and go.
Jeordie White (Marilyn Manson, A Perfect Circle, NIN): Twiggy got his band name by combining the name of English model Twiggy with the surname of American serial killer Richard Ramirez.
Chris Kirkpatrick (*NSYNC): When asked about his hair in a 2001 Yahoo! chat, Kirkpatrick said: “I just put some dreads in it. It kind of represents my freedom, and my own personal direction I’m taking myself.
Read also: Styling Wavy Dreadlocks
Promoe (Looptrop Rockers): Promoe told OZhiphop.com in 2005: “I don’t wear them for the same reasons as somebody else I don’t think. They’re very political to me as well as spiritual. I see them as a protest against society’s obsession of looks (although some may see them as a fashion statement - I wouldn’t agree).
Jason Castro (American Idol): “The day has come. #GoodbyeDreads,” Castro tweeted in 2013 when he got rid of his signature dreadlocks.
Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake): “I just always liked dreadlocks. I don’t know if I’m lucky or unlucky, but I’ve got this curly hair. When I was growing up, if I didn’t comb it, it would just start to knot up. My mom would make me cut it off when it got all knotted.
Henrik Harlaut: After royally screwing up in Sochi (he skied with his pants halfway down his legs, ultimately placing sixth), he “gave the Wu-Tang Clan hand sign to the cameras and declared ‘Wu Tang is for the children.’”
The reactions to these celebrities sporting dreadlocks have been varied, with some receiving praise and others facing criticism. The key difference often lies in the individual's understanding and acknowledgment of the cultural significance of dreadlocks, as well as their willingness to use their platform to advocate for social justice.
The representation of dreadlocks in popular culture has also been a source of debate. Characters like Jack Sparrow in "Pirates of the Caribbean" have been criticized for perpetuating stereotypes and trivializing the hairstyle. What do you even call what Johnny Depp’s Pirates of the Caribbean character had going on under that bandana? You can’t dignify them by calling them locs, but you also can’t minimize the reputational damage done - to Black hair and to pirates. All dude needs is a peasant skirt, and he’s ready to IG Live from Coachella. Hope you’ve got some clippers in that treasure chest, matey!
Similarly, the "Ras Trent" character played by Andy Samberg on "Saturday Night Live" was accused of cultural appropriation and mockery. Andy Samberg and his comedy partners in The Lonely Island don’t connect on every swing, but they KO’ed this 2008 SNL short like it was Ashton Sylve. From the mangled patois to the cultural-appropriation stew, never before has the college stoner in a baja and some trustafarian locs been so accurately portrayed.
However, other representations of dreadlocks have been praised for their authenticity and respect. For example, characters in films like "Black Panther" have been lauded for showcasing the beauty and diversity of Black hairstyles, including dreadlocks, in a positive and empowering light.
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