Hip-hop has been an influential force in men’s fashion and style for decades. As trendsetters, hip-hop artists and rappers effectively collaborate with their barbers to get the coolest haircuts. If you’re searching for a stylish look, you may want to look at your favorite rapper’s hair for inspiration. Whether you like Kanye West, Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, ASAP Rocky, Drake, or Coolio, there are many famous musicians to inspire your hairstyle. To help you find the right cuts and styles, we’ve compiled a guide on the best rapper haircuts to consider right now. From braids to dreads to colorful dyed hair, explore these trendy hip-hop hairstyles to get a unique look.
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Rapper Hairstyles
ASAP Rocky
ASAP Rocky has been a sensation ever since releasing his first mixtape back in 2011. His eccentric sense of style only helped him stand out from the crowd even further, allowing him to project the image of someone unpredictable and willing to try anything at least once.
However, when it comes to his hair, ASAP Rocky tends to be faithful to his box braids – an effortlessly cool look that is quite versatile. As one of the most popular hairstyles for black men, box braids are achieved by dividing the hair into square-shaped sections. Those sections are then braided, mixing in synthetic hair if necessary. The result is a striking men’s braid hairstyle.
Drake
Drake is a different breed of hip hop artist, whose music touches on themes like past mistakes, feelings, and the occasional lack of confidence. It’s like he took the tough rapper stereotype and threw it out the window, which only makes him come across as more relatable.
Drake’s haircut is his signature buzz cut that is easy to maintain. Paired with a beard, it gives him an air of casualness that goes well with his tunes. If you’re looking to follow his footsteps, ask for a shaved line up your hairline for a bit of an edge.
Fetty Wap
Fetty Wap received some backlash after it was revealed that his dreads were fake. He’s not the first or last celebrity to ever rock fake dreads though, so we don’t expect the look to go out of style anytime soon. Plus, dreadlock extensions come in handy when you don’t feel like waiting around for your hair to grow.
Maintaining dreadlocks, on the other hand, involves plenty of moisturizing and styling. Make sure you’re up for the challenge before booking a hair appointment.
Machine Gun Kelly
A distant cousin of the man bun, the top knot used to be Machine Gun Kelly’s best friend back in the day. The musician is now favoring shorter, messy hair, which is equally bold and stylish considering the platinum blonde color.
If you’re thinking of getting a top knot, you’re in luck, as the result can actually be slimming. It will make your face appear longer, which is great if you don’t have a defined bone structure. A top knot goes great with facial hair for a more mannish effect.
Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg experimented with a variety of hairstyles over the course of his career, so he’s a bona fide hair superstar. Yet, his cornrows are probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the rapper, marking his most iconic look yet.
Cornrows are both a practical and stylish choice, as they protect the hair while ensuring you look fresh regardless of the occasion. Whether you opt for basic cornrows or something more complex, you’ll be turning heads in no time.
Eminem
Eminem’s natural hair is dark brown, but he became popular while rocking a short crew cut with bright blonde hair. The look became iconic to the point where it’s probably how we’ll be picturing him forever.
If you’re thinking about adopting a similar look, get a good colorist. You’ll need regular maintenance, mainly touching up your roots every six weeks or so. We strongly advise against bleaching your hair at home. You may end up with over-bleached hair or inconsistent color.
The Weeknd
The Weeknd is another artist whose hair has gone through a variety of styles over the years, with the most popular probably being his dreads, always arranged in some sort of bun or ponytail.
He cut his hair right before releasing his album Starboy back in 2016 and admitted to feeling instant relief. In other words, it’s a tough style to both pull off and care for. But if you’re willing to go the extra mile, it will draw plenty of attention.
Kendrick Lamar
Twists are Kendrick Lamar’s go-to hairstyle and you have to give him credit for the fact that he always looks on-point. Whether Lamar chooses long or shirt hair twists, they make him instantly recognizable.
Even better, they ensure a polished look for any man with Afro-textured hair eager to try them out, offering plenty of styling options. Whatever your hair type, you can find a twist that will work.
Travis Scott
Travis Scott is known for two big things: his music and his sense of style, with an emphasis on his braids, always styled in an eye-grabbing fashion. Thankfully, you can achieve this look at home for cheap as long as you’re willing to deal with the learning curve associated with braiding your own hair.
If you’re having trouble reaching the back of your head, ask a friend or loved one for help. For professional results, a barber will take good care of you.
Coolio
Coolio’s infamous hairstyle will go down in history as one of the most daring and crazy hip-hop hairstyles of all time. His Medusa-style braids make a powerful first impression, leaving you wondering how he manages to defy gravity in such an effective manner.
To style this weird hairstyle, the rapper used a tight hair tie and hair product. We don’t advise trying something similar if you work a traditional 9-to-5 job since it may not fly with your supervisors. Otherwise, feel free to give it a go.
Jay-Z
As one of the most successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in the US, Jay-Z needs no introduction.
For a long time, the musician used to wear his hair short via a traditional buzz cut, but he more recently started to grow it out and sport a messy Afro that suits him well. He’s clearly embracing a more natural, unpolished look. It will be interesting to see where he goes from here.
Kanye West
Kanye West isn’t known for keeping a low profile and this statement applies to the rapper’s haircut. While Kanye sometimes gets a buzz cut or shaved head, the rapper is usually experimenting with new looks. From intricate shaved hair designs to wacky colors to the mullet, this artist keeps his hairstyle cool and fashionable.
This is further proof that you don’t need long hair to make a powerful statement. Like the time Kanye had the Fendi logo shaved into his hair. He isn’t afraid to have fun and neither should you.
Post Malone
Post Malone isn’t sporting his messy man bun any more, but it had a good run for a while. Malone’s man bun is certainly still excellent hair inspiration for men looking to achieve a relaxed look.
To recreate it you need long hair, a bunch of hair ties and patience. Just make sure to avoid man buns if you have a receding hairline. Having your hair pulled back will only make it more noticeable.
Chris Brown
Writing about Chris Brown’s hair evolution would take us a while. After all, he’s like a chameleon when it comes to his hair, always debuting a fresh look.
From braids to a basic buzz cut to short curls, Brown has tried them all with various degrees of success. His hair is an outlet for self-expression, just like his music. While his personal life certainly doesn’t recommend him as a role model, we can’t deny his sense of style.
Wiz Khalifa
Another artist who isn’t afraid to play around with his hair, Wiz Khalifa’s hairstyle has changed over time. The rapper’s dreads are particularly trendy, but we also love his short Afro with a signature honey blonde dye strip in the front.
Adding a touch of color to your hair is a whimsical way to spice up your look without spending too much time on styling.
Busta Rhymes
Busta Rhymes became known for his long, luscious dreads, so it was surprising when he cut his hair short back in 2005 “for spiritual and personal reasons.” Since then, he’s mostly been sporting a buzz cut or Caesar cut – less iconic but more practical.
If you’re thinking of getting long dreadlocks, remember that they can be time-consuming to care for. You’ll need to adopt a new hair care routine that involves religiously fixing loose hair and sleeping with a headscarf on.
P. Diddy
For most of his career, P. Diddy was the epitome of traditional hair, usually sporting a buzz cut fade. Which made it even more memorable when he debuted his closely cropped Mohawk in the early 2000s.
The look has aged pretty well, so you might consider giving it a go. Just make sure you invest in a strong-hold gel or pomade to keep the Mohawk looking fresh for the entire day.
Tupac
The late Tupac is a legend, but his influence isn’t limited to music. While most fans remember Tupac being bald with a shaved head, his famous Juice haircut has never gone out of style. Tupac with hair is reminiscent of the golden era of hip hop.
The classic cut falls somewhere between a box and high top fade, and it’s perfect for guys with curly hair. Ask your barber for the Juice style and he’ll know exactly how to cut it.
Lil Uzi
Lil Uzi’s dreads have gone through a variety of colors, from green to blonde to bright orange. If you aren’t afraid of standing out, we’re happy to report that dying dreadlocks isn’t that much more different than dying regular hair.
You’ll want to make sure the dreads are moisturized and will have to bleach them if you’re going for a lighter color than your natural hair. For best results, book an appointment with a hairstylist.
