HAIR LUST: Effortless Updo

 

One day my quick, effortless updo is going to look this fabulous instead of that "just had a nap" look.   

Ashiya's Hair Diary: A New Attitude

Over the past few weeks, I've become a lot more relaxed about my hair.  I decided to Let It Breathe for a bit and that decision calmed my energy tremendously.  After allowing my locs to free form for a while, things are getting too tangled and its time for some maintenance.  As always, chilling out helped me to see some things clearly.

Because we all play with the camera on our phone from time to time...

Roots & Rhythm: Bob Marley & The Wailers - One Love

As we approach Father's Day weekend, there's only one musician that comes to my mind when I think roots and rhythm:  the incomparable Bob Marley.  Not only is he the father of 13 children, but his passion and drive to bring his music to the world makes him the undisputed father of reggae.

Robert Nesta Marley

Like any person that lives in the fullness of their potential, Bob was able to bring his message to the world through the bond of a group.  In 1963 Robert Nesta Marley, Hubert Winston McIntosh and Neville Livingston came together to form The Wailers.  While their original music had an American influence, the self-taught musicians eventually developed their own sound and the world received a more authentic, powerful version of The Wailers that we know as Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer.

Bunny Wailer, Bob Marley and Peter Tosh - The Wailers

The full strength of Bob Marley's legacy has become evident as we watch his children take their place in music and business.  As the oldest of their "Lion Order", Ziggy is guiding the family as they expand their father's memory to include their own vision.  The Marley family continues to bring us music, but now they've expanded to clothing, coffee, and humanitarian efforts with each venture steeped in their father's philosophy on love and life.

Right: Bob Marley with a very young Ziggy Marley.  Left: A more recent image of Ziggy Marley.

Dreadlocks are synonymous with Bob Marley and these pictures show us that Bob has his own hair journey.  Inspired by Rastafarian philosophy, Bob let his dreadlocks form freely for personal reasons related to his belief system.

Regardless what we believe, Bob Marley's message of One Love cannot be denied:

"I don't stand for the black man's side.  I don't stand for the white man's side.  I stand for God's side."  -Bob Marley

Check out The Wailers in their first British television appearance performing Concrete Jungle.  Please note the level of cool Peter Tosh brings to this performance.  One of my favorites from my absolute favorites!

HAIR LUST: Crayola Curls

I LOOOOOVE colored hair, specially what some would call 'unusual' colors. It is possible to have healthy colored hair. You should always consult with a professional stylist before you attempt any color treatment on your own. However, let these crayola colored fros inspire you to let you creativity fly free!

Roots & Rhythm: Aretha Franklin - Rock Steady

June is the month that many of us share our appreciation and love for black music, past and present.  Music is a powerful vehicle to convey the culture of people.  Between the music, lyrics, and images associated with a project, artists are able to express themselves and the world as they see it.  In appreciation, we'll jam with some artists that made a statement with their music and their hair this month. There is only one place to start: The Afro.

The classic elegance of The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin.

In 1971, America took its first ride on "The Hippest Trip in America" when Soul Train entered syndication and living rooms across America.  For the first time, many people living in America saw themselves on television exactly as they were.  The artists and dancers that appeared looked like them, dressed like them and wore their hair just as they did.  Soul Train represented an underlying cultural revolution.  Self-pride was brewing and Soul Train offered tickets weekly.

 

To kick off our tribute this month, here is The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, performing Rock Steady in 1971.  Lady Soul has a beautifully cropped afro, but Don Cornelius' is just a bit more perfect.  The Soul Train dancers are wearing afros, braids, and straightened hair, reminding us of the rich history of our hair and the natural styles we love dearly today.

A few things that will make you love this performance even more:

1. 0:08 - Don Cornelius' Afro does an epic bounce.
2. 1:30 - Aretha wipes the sweat from her brow with such elegance, you almost miss it.
3. 2:00 - When Aretha sings "Oh!", she is giving you the definition of soul.  Feel it.

Aretha Franklin on the cover of Ebony December 1971 looking fabulous in a headwrap over her Afro.

Love, Peace and Soul!