Illustrated guide to hip-hop hairstyles

Tell me how you style your hair and I'll tell you who you are. Or rather tell Ibn Jasper and he will tell you which hip-hop star you are.

The famous barber, who has been working for Kanye West for over 20 years and author of the Fendi logo cut and of the one inspired by Keith Haring comments for Highsnobiety the iconic hairstyles of 12 emcees, helped by the illustrations of Dan Freebairn.

Curious?

#1 Ol 'Dirty Bastard

"ODB turned this look into a classic in the ’90s. Braids coming back from the forehead, but up from the back of the neck, too, so they spike up where they meet at the crown. This is Brooklyn Zoo steez."

 

#2 Busta Rhymes

"This is when Busta was the absolute best across the board, cemented by this iconic hair style. Faded with the locks on top, in knots. You could just see the silhouette of this image and know it’s Busta Rhymes."

 

#3 Snoop Dogg

"This is some O.G. shit right here. When you get your hair hot combed, but don’t have enough time to do the braids you really want. The life of a gangsta."

 

#4 Eazy-E

"The iconic Eazy-E Jehri curl ‘fro with the Compton hat. This was probably the scariest hairstyle to see in person in the ’90s."

 

#5 Tupac

"Yo this half-moon step flattop is a holy grail haircut. You don’t understand the level of commitment this haircut takes, for the barber and the client … it’s basically architecture. This is a masterpiece of barbering artistry"

 

#6 Eminem

"The Slim Shady Blonde Caesar. I think that’s the first time the term “Blonde Caesar” was used since the Roman era."

 

#7 Future

"He put blonde in his dreads. He went ‘too pop.’ I think he’s the first dude to do ombré locks. I might be wrong though."

 

#8 Travi$ Scott

"Trav started by getting twists to start growing his hair longer like it is now. That’s my young G right there."

 

#9 Vic Mensa

"Vic is kinda owning this look right now in the pop lexicon. Short locks with blonde tips on top with a fade in the side."

 

#10 The Weeknd

"This is the 2015 version of O.G. Busta Rhymes hairstyle, but with a party in the back aka a mullet."

 

#11 Action Bronson

"It’s genius."

 

#12 A$AP Rocky

"Rocky definitely brought braids back in terms of being fresh on the streets and in fashion."