You see them in old grainy photos and on modern red carpets. Big, gravity-defying, and impossible to ignore. Famous people with afros haven't just worn a hairstyle; they’ve worn a statement. It’s funny how a simple choice of how to grow your hair can become a lightning rod for politics, fashion, and identity. Honestly, most people think the afro was just a "disco thing" from the 1970s. That is a massive misconception.
The afro wasn't born in a nightclub. It was born in a revolution.
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The Political Power of the Pick
When you think of the 1960s, you probably think of Angela Davis. Her afro was massive. It was iconic. But for her, it wasn't about being a "style icon." It was about Black Power. At the time, the standard of beauty was basically "straight and sleek." To wear your hair exactly as it grew out of your head was a radical act of defiance.
Davis was a scholar and an activist. She was on the FBI's Most Wanted list. Every time her face appeared on a "Wanted" poster, that hair was there. It became a symbol of the struggle against the status quo.
Then you had Nina Simone. She didn't just sing "To Be Young, Gifted and Black"; she lived it. Her afro was often shorter, more natural, and paired with African-inspired jewelry. It was a rejection of the "Hollywood" look. She wanted to look like the people she was fighting for.
The Jackson 5 and the Pop Explosion
Things shifted in the 70s. The afro went from the front lines of protests to the center of the stage. The Jackson 5 are the perfect example. Five brothers. Five perfectly round, picked-out afros.
They were colorful. They were fun. Basically, they made the afro "pop."
Young Michael Jackson's afro was so perfect it almost looked like a helmet. It was the "look" of a generation. Suddenly, kids of all races were trying to figure out how to get that volume. Of course, for many, it wasn't just a trend. It was the first time they saw people who looked like them being celebrated as the biggest stars on the planet.
Beyond the 70s: The Modern Natural Movement
Wait. Did the afro die with disco? Not even close.
It just evolved.
Take Tracee Ellis Ross. She’s basically the modern queen of the natural hair movement. She doesn't just wear her hair big; she built an entire business, Pattern Beauty, around it. She’s been vocal about how, for years, she was told to "tame" her hair. Now, she lets it breathe. It’s a different kind of power than Angela Davis’, but it’s just as important.
Then there is Viola Davis. Remember the 2012 Oscars? She walked the red carpet with a short, natural afro. No wig. No extensions. People actually gasped. It sounds silly now, but in the "perfection" of Hollywood, showing your real texture was—and still is—a huge deal. She later told InStyle that she spent too long not feeling "pretty enough" because of her hair.
Modern Icons Keeping it Big
- Solange Knowles: She’s a chameleon. One day it’s braids, the next it’s a giant, architectural afro. Her 2014 wedding photo—the one in the white jumpsuit with the huge hair—is basically art.
- Erykah Badu: The "Queen of Neo-Soul." She’s known for her headwraps, sure, but when she lets the hair out, it’s a vibe. Her song "Afro" literally pays homage to the look.
- Colin Kaepernick: This is where the afro became a "lightning rod" again. When he started kneeling, his hair grew. He moved from a "clean-cut" NFL look to a large, unapologetic afro. It was a visual callback to the 1960s activists.
The "White" Afro?
We have to talk about Bob Ross. Yes, the "happy little trees" guy.
Here’s the thing: Bob Ross didn't actually have an afro. Not naturally. He was a guy with straight hair who got a perm to save money on haircuts while he was in the Air Force. He actually hated the look! But once he became famous, it was his brand. He was stuck with it.
Then there’s Leo Sayer. In the 70s, his hair was massive. It’s proof that the "look" of the afro transcended racial boundaries during the disco era, even if the cultural weight stayed with the Black community.
Why it Still Matters
The afro isn't just a "throwback" style. It represents a choice to exist without conforming. Whether it’s Pam Grier in Foxy Brown looking like the baddest woman on earth or Lupita Nyong'o rocking an afro-puff on a red carpet, the message is clear.
Natural is powerful.
Honestly, the "perfectly round" afro of the 70s is rarer today. Most people go for "shaped" or "free-form" looks. But the spirit is the same. It’s about volume. It’s about taking up space.
How to Appreciate the Legacy
If you’re looking to dive deeper into this, don't just look at Pinterest boards. Look at the history.
- Watch the Documentary "The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975": It features incredible footage of Angela Davis and the era when the afro was at its most politically charged.
- Research the "CROWN Act": This is modern legislation in the U.S. designed to stop discrimination based on hair texture. It shows that the "struggle" of wearing an afro isn't just a 70s thing—it’s a 2026 thing, too.
- Support Natural Hair Brands: Look into the work being done by entrepreneurs like Tracee Ellis Ross or Gabrielle Union. They are changing the industry from the inside out.
The afro is a crown. It’s a history book. And most of all, it’s a reminder that sometimes, the most revolutionary thing you can do is just be yourself.
Next Steps for You:
Check out the filmography of Pam Grier to see the "action hero" afro in its prime. Or, if you're more into the music side, listen to Erykah Badu’s Baduizm to hear how the "natural" aesthetic translated into a whole new genre of soul.