Have you noticed that rappers with dreadlocks tend to be the most popular in the music industry? Rappers with dreads have been synonymous with hip-hop music since the dawn of the genre. In this article, I will reveal the 11 most popular rappers with unique dreadlocks. Before we begin, let’s get to know what dreadlocks are and a bit of their history.
What Are Dreadlocks?
Dreadlocks are an ancient hairstyle with deep roots in Africa and Jamaica. People from these cultures believe they have spiritual connections. But nowadays, they are more trendy and just a thing for everyone regardless of color, race, or culture. The original technique used by Africans and most people who use this hairstyle involves applying natural products and intentionally rolling the hair to lock in the desired texture and size.
Nowadays, modern technology makes dreadlocks easy to create on almost any hair texture. As such, many hip-hop artists worldwide have adopted the trend of sporting dreadlocks as their hairstyle of choice over the years. Let’s now get to know the top dreadlocks rappers in the world!
1. Snoop Dogg
Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr., famously known as Snoop Dogg, is an American actor and rapper born in 1971 in Long Beach, California. I resonate with his hairstyle taste. When it comes to rappers with dreadlocks, Calvin Cordozar is the ultimate master. His style and taste of dreads are always out of this world if you are looking for the latest trends.
Broadus is a real OG when it comes to rapping. He has done much rap music since his career began early in 1992. His fame story started when he first appeared on Dr. Dre’s Deep Cover song. Calvin Broadus has won many awards and nominations, tallying up to 27 wins and 98 nominations. Some of Snoop Dogg’s big hits include:
- After The Party
- No Half Steppin
- Boss’ Life
- Who Am I (What’s My Name)?
- Bad Decisions
- I Wanna Thank Me
- Satellite
- Bitch Please
2. Wiz Khalifa
Cameron Jibril Thomaz, famously known as Wiz Khalifa, is among the top rappers with dreads that are to die for. Wiz Khalifa is a successful international American actor, singer, and rapper born in September 1987 in Minot, North Dakota. His vast expertise in hip-hop music shows that rappers with dreadlocks are well-suited for this kind of music. Jibril Thomaz has worked under several record labels and released many hit songs and albums. Here are just a few of Wiz Khalifa’s hit songs:
- Heavy Hitters
- What Would I Do
- Peace And Love
- Why Not Not Why
- Still Wiz
- Little Do They Know
- Hype Me Up
- You
3. Future
Nayvadius DeMun Cash, professionally known as Future, was born in 1983 and grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. He is an established record producer, singer, songwriter, and American rapper. Popular in the trap music genre, Future is among the most predominant rappers and songwriters worldwide. And among rappers with dreads, he has dope locks, too!
Under A1 Recordings and Epic Records, Future released albums like Pluto and Honest, containing many hit singles. Some of his albums have also managed to reach the US Billboard 200. His international hit songs include:
- Turn On The Lights
- Honest
- I Won
- Move That Dope
- Where Ya At
- Low Life
- Mask Off
- Used To This (featuring Drake)
- Life Is Good
- Wait For U
4. Lil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. is among his generation’s most influential hip-hop stars. Also known as Lil Wayne, he was born in September 1982 in New Orleans, Louisiana. His stardom career began when Cash Money Records spotted him in 1995, but his dreadlocks journey started in the early 2000s. Since then, he’s added blond dye to create a legendary look that complements his status as one of the greatest artists of all time.
Like Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne was signed by rapper Birdman at only 11. This Grammy Awards winner has had an exciting music career where he also worked with T-Pain on the track Got Money, and Jay-Z on Mr. Carter. Lil Wayne has made major albums in both the R&B and hip-hop genres that have made it to the top of Billboard 200. Some hits from this well-known artist include:
- Lollipop
- A Milli
- Annihilate
- Mirror
- 6 Foot 7 Foot
- Love Me
- Officer
5. Young Thug
Jeffery Lamar Williams, aka Young Thug, is a well-established rapper with dreads. He was born in August 1991 in Atlanta, Georgia. Lamar is an American songwriter, rapper, and singer signed by several record labels over time, like Young Stoner Life Records and 300 Entertainment. Business Is Business is one of the newest albums launched by this artist.
Young Thug is generally known for his unique style and fashion in his dreads. He is among the rappers with the most awesome dreadlocks for sure, well kept and appealing to the eyes. Jeffery Williams has a list of mixtapes that he has done quite well in both trap and hip-hop. His professional musical career began in 2011; up to date, many people consider him among the most influential rappers with dreads. Some famous Young Thug songs include:
- Go Crazy
- Relationship
- My Wrist
- Oh U Went
- Trance
- For Y’all
6. T-Pain
T-Pain has a great dreadlock trademark that is unique from other rappers with dreads. Officially known as Faheem Rasheed Najm, this renowned rapper entered the music industry with awesome dreadlocks, but later, in 2013, he surprised his fan base by cutting them off. Throughout his career, he has restored his locks, and among the list of rappers with dreadlocks, Faheem stands out as having the most amazing dreads that match his excellent character and cute face.
Faheem has dreadlocks that are unique from other rappers in the industry, where he keeps short hair around his head and leaves a bob-like dreadlock that makes him look super cute. In addition, he is among the few singers in the industry who rap, have bob dreads, and wear glasses. Born in September 1984, Faheem is a strong American songwriter, singer, rapper, and record producer with a massive list of hit mixtapes, singles, and albums. Hit jams of all time by T-Pain include:
- Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin’)
- Church
- Can’t Believe It
- Up Down (Do This All Day)
- I’m Sprung
- Bartender
7. 2 Chainz
Tauheed K. Epps, also known as 2 Chainz, is an American singer and dreadlocks rapper who hails from College Park, Georgia. Despite being a well-established hip-hop star, 2 Chainz is also a businessman in Atlanta. Epps has freeform locks that he changes when he desires to get a different look from the natural dreads. Through 2 Chainz’s social media, this rapper updates his followers on his multiple new lock styles whenever he needs a change.
The Rastafarian roots associated with dreadlocks vary in perception of appearance from one person to another. However, one thing that makes Tauheed’s dreads stand out is seeing them transformed from just plain braids into spectacular dreads. 2Chainz’s music genre is hip-hop south trap, which is slightly heavier than the typical hip-hop. Over the years, this esteemed rapper has had great success with all his albums, mixtapes, and singles. Some of 2 Chainz’s hit music includes:
- No Lie
- Birthday Song
- I’m Different
- Presha
- Crack
8. Wale
Also known as Olubowale Victor Akintimehin, Wale is an American Nigerian rapper born in September 1984. He rose to glory when his song Dig Dug became a hit in Washington, DC, his hometown. Wale is a rapper with dreadlocks who has amazed millions of fans with his art. His music career and music resonate perfectly with his dope dreadlocks.
Wale’s career success came to be in 2011 when his released hit song Ambition topped at number 2 on Billboard 200. He is a successful businessman and still a great rapper with dreadlocks that mesmerize fans to this date. Wale’s upward trend has never stopped, and he was even nominated for the Grammy Awards in the Best Rap Song category once. Some record labels he has worked with include Maybach Music Group, Def Jam Recordings, and so much more. Great songs released by Wale include:
- Oh Chill
- Ride Out
- Bag Of Money
- Lotus Flower Bomb
9. Lil Jon
Jonathan H. Smith is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter born in 1971 in Atlanta, Georgia. His role in popularizing the crunk subgenre made him famous in the 90s. The King of Crunk is an award-winning artist who has consistently made hit after hit throughout the years.
When it comes to hairstyle and choice of dreadlocks, Lil Jon has no plan of shaving off his dreads any time soon. Smith started his career path as a DJ and has made many collaborations with prominent hip-hop artists, giving his career a significant boost. Hit songs that never get old by this prominent dreadlocks artist include:
- Yeah
- Get Low
- Snap Yo Fingers
- Outta Your Mind
- Turn Down For What
- Shots
10. Jay-Z
Rapper’s dreadlocks tend to define the character and personality of a musician. In this regard, Jay-Z’s dreadlocks look unique and stand out from most rappers in the music industry. Officially known as Shawn Corey Carter, he was born in December 1969 in New York City. Corey Carter is a songwriter, record producer, and, above all, a well-established American rapper.
Have you ever seen Jay-Z’s dreadlocks up close? This style of rapper’s dreadlocks is his way of expressing freedom of choice. The thick nature of his hairstyle is something out of the ordinary that makes him stand out from all other musicians in the genre. And when it comes to hit songs, Jay-Z never falls behind with pieces such as:
- Run This Town
- APESHIT
- Roc Boys (And the Winner Is)
- The City Is Mine
- Heart Of The City (Ain’t No Love)
- Izzo (H.O.V.A.)
- Empire State Of Mind
11. Lil Durk
Lil Durk, also known as Durk Derrick Banks, is an American singer and rapper with definitive dreadlocks. Born in October 1992, Durk is a hip-hop artist from Chicago, Illinois, with a plethora of hit singles and albums. He is so intentional with his locks, which are grown naturally and styled with blond dye.
Derrick Banks started growing his dreadlocks in 2017 after his term in prison ended, and nowadays, he finds himself among those with good-looking and well-bred locks in the genre. Here is a list of a few hit songs by Lil Durk that you need to listen to at some point:
- All My Life
- What Happened To Virgil
- Broadway Girls
- Hanging With Wolves
- Should’ve Ducked
Conclusion
If you’re a fan of hip-hop music, I hope this article covered everything you wanted to know about your favorite dreadlocks rappers. From Lil Wayne’s iconic locks to T-Pain’s unique style, we featured many of the most prominent artists in the genre and their lovely and unique dreadlocks here. In addition to this, we also touched on several facts and interesting trivia about these well-known artists to help you learn more about them.
But what was best was that you also got to feast your eyes on the latest and trendiest rapper dreadlocks designs ubiquitous to this music genre. So, whether you love to “get low” with Lil Jon or make “bad decisions” with Snoop Dogg, we hope our comprehensive list has blown you away!
