Reggae icon Beenie Man penned a heartfelt birthday message for his girlfriend Camille McIntosh this Thursday, but his fans seemed more focused on his hairstyle.
Beenie Man, renowned for hits like “Simma”, has been sporting his dreadlocks in various updos, often wrapped in turbans or kerchiefs, for quite some time. His followers last caught a glimpse of his lengthy locks in a 2021 Instagram Story. While his music and fashion sense have always been a part of his identity, there’s a growing call from fans for a change in his look, particularly regarding his hair.
One fan, while wishing his girlfriend a happy birthday, urged, “Please cut those locks off. It’s run its course and they need to go. Don’t know what I’m looking at anymore.”
Another added their voice to the mix, suggesting, “The doctor need to cut his hair off. Hair mek the doctor look old.”
The requests didn’t stop there, with another commenting, “Bro take that wig off already,” reflecting a strong opinion among some of his fanbase for a fresh hairstyle.
Beenie Man, beyond his hair, is recognized as a trailblazer among artists with dreadlocks, particularly those associated with Rastafarian culture, who break away from traditional religious dress codes. Over the years, his style has undergone a significant transformation. In the 1990s, he was known for sporting baseball caps and diamond studs, a look that was quite popular during that era.
However, as the new millennium approached, Beenie Man’s style evolved. He embraced free-flowing dreadlocks and adopted a more relaxed wardrobe, which reflected a shift not only in his personal style but perhaps also in his artistic and personal journey.
In recent years, Beenie Man has refined his look further. His signature style in the last decade has been characterized by tailored suits, an impressive collection of exquisite loafers, elegantly designed dress jackets, and the occasional tracksuit. This evolution in his appearance reflects a maturity and sophistication that aligns with his status as a veteran and influential figure in the music industry.
This journey of hairstyle transformation is not unique to Beenie Man in the Jamaican music scene. Several other artists have also made significant changes to their looks. For instance, Wayne Marshall, Spanner Banner, Craigy T, ZJ Liquid, and the Swiss-based reggae artist Cali P, are notable Jamaican artists who have decided to trim their dreadlocks, each making a personal style choice that reflects their individual journeys and evolutions.
“He’s needs to fiya his hairstylist !!😢😢,” another follower said, expressing their dismay over the artist’s current hairstyle in a humorous yet empathetic manner.
The conversation then included some playful banter about his headwear. Jazzwad, a producer, chimed in with a lighthearted reference to a song by Vybz Kartel and Popcaan, known for its mention of Clarks shoes. He teased, “Ah weh yu get dat new hat deh pardy @kingbeenieman,” and asked, “Which colour dat? Mad enuh pardy.”
In the comments, several hairstylists volunteered their services, while others wondered about his choice not to wear his hair down.
Another user pointed out the importance of careful maintenance of dreadlocks, suggesting that Beenie Man might have avoided hair loss if he had chosen a different stylist. “Better @kingbeenieman did mek me care for his locs because he’d never have lost his hair on the top of his head,” they wrote. “You need to know who your making retwist your locs cause it will thin out in the long run.”
Beenie Man began his journey with dreadlocks in the late 1990s, initially sporting a free-flowing style during the “Many Moods of Moses” era.
By 2000, his hair had become an integral part of his image, as seen on the cover of his Grammy-winning album “Art & Life,” symbolizing his musical and spiritual evolution. The “Eva Clean” deejay maintained the freestyle-dreadlock look for several years before opting for groomed roots and experimenting with different hairstyles.