Return of the 90s Flat Top

Photo courtesy by Leancutz

As I watch my nightly ritual of indulgence of racket reality TV shows, such as “Love & Hip Hop Atlanta.” I can’t help but notice the countless men rocking the flat top fade. Not only does it feel like a version of Deja vu, but a visual indicator that the 1980s urban hair trend is back! The High Top fade hairstyle, or aka the Flat Top has been in and out of fashion for decades. Its popularity has been influenced more recently by last summer’s film “Dope”.

The return of this bold haircut pays tribute to the throwback days of early hip-hop style. As a hip-hop enthusiast, I recall the arrival of this late 1980s hair trend. I grow up watching hip-hop video shows as, “Yo! MTV Rap” and BET’s “Rap City” trying to get a glimpse of the hottest fashion trends in rap music. Influential rappers as Doug E. Fresh, Big Daddy Kane and MC Search rocked Flat Tops on countless publications and awards shows; which is notably as iconic representation of rap culture.

The multi-level Flat Top ending in a skinned fade is becoming more common as the summer heat sets in.Old school rap fans might remember this style, reminiscent to the look worn by rap legend, Tupac Shakur in the movie “Juice.” This trend incorporates multiple curved lines, or arced parts with various levels, and angles throughout the hair as abstract design element.

Present-day imitators are using blendable hair pencils to fill in designs and patterns known as, “Graffetch” or hair tattooing. The origins of the up-an-coming trend debuted in several urban barbershops throughout major city since 2011. However the downside of this look is that the color does fades over few days due to sweating or sleeping on the area.

Hair trends, like the High Top fade have helped shape the relationship between music and urban fashion for decades. IAs hip-hop music continues to evolve, I am sure we have not seen the last of this abstract, bold, and edgy haircut.