Kendrick Lamar's Hairstyle Evolution: A Timeline of His Iconic Looks

Kendrick Lamar: A Timeline of His Iconic Hairstyles

Kendrick Lamar, the Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper, has always been more than just a musician. He's a cultural icon, known for his thought-provoking lyrics and distinctive style. One aspect of Lamar's style that has evolved significantly over the years is his hair. Let's take a look at the evolution of Kendrick Lamar's hairstyles, from his early days to his latest looks.

Early Days: The Cornrows and Fades

In the early 2000s, when Kendrick Lamar was just starting out as a rapper, he sported a classic hip-hop look: cornrows and fades. This style was popular among many rappers at the time and was a reflection of Lamar's West Coast roots. The cornrows were often styled in intricate patterns, adding a unique touch to the classic look.

  • Cornrows and fades were a staple in Lamar's early career.
  • This style was a nod to his West Coast influences.

Side Part and Curls

As Lamar's career began to take off, so did his hairstyles. Around 2011, he started sporting a side part with curly hair. This look was a departure from his earlier styles and showed a more mature and refined side of the rapper. The side part added a touch of sophistication, while the curls kept the look approachable and youthful.

a man with dreadlocks on his head wearing a black jacket and white shirt
a man with dreadlocks on his head wearing a black jacket and white shirt

Dreadlocks and Afros

In 2012, Lamar made a significant change to his hairstyle, growing out his hair into dreadlocks. This look was a nod to his African heritage and a symbol of his pride in his roots. The dreadlocks were often styled in various ways, from loose and wavy to tightly coiled. Lamar also experimented with afros during this period, further embracing his natural hair.

  • Dreadlocks and afros were a symbol of Lamar's pride in his African heritage.
  • These styles showed Lamar's willingness to embrace his natural hair.

Blond Ambition

In 2015, Lamar made a bold move and dyed his hair blond. This was a significant departure from his earlier styles and showed Lamar's willingness to experiment with his look. The blond hair was often styled in a sleek, straight style, adding a touch of edginess to Lamar's appearance.

Back to Black

After a few years of experimenting with different colors, Lamar returned to his natural black hair. In recent years, he has been seen sporting a variety of styles, from short and curly to long and wavy. This return to his natural hair color has been a reflection of Lamar's growth as an artist and a person. It's a sign that he's comfortable in his own skin and confident in his own style.

a man with dreadlocks standing in front of a brick wall
a man with dreadlocks standing in front of a brick wall

Current Style: The Wavy Crop

As of now, Lamar's hairstyle of choice is a wavy crop. This style is a modern take on the classic Caesar cut, with the hair cut short on the sides and longer on top. The wavy texture adds a touch of casualness to the look, making it a perfect style for a rapper who is as comfortable on stage as he is off.

Year Hairstyle
2000s Cornrows and fades
2011 Side part with curls
2012 Dreadlocks and afros
2015 Blond hair
2017-present Natural black hair, wavy crop

Kendrick Lamar's hairstyle evolution is a reflection of his growth as an artist and a person. From his early days as a rapper to his current status as a cultural icon, Lamar's hairstyles have always been a part of his unique and distinctive style. Whether he's sporting cornrows, dreadlocks, or a wavy crop, Lamar's hairstyles are always a conversation starter and a reflection of his bold and innovative approach to music and style.

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DRAWING AND KENDRICK!!!!!
Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar
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a man with dreadlocks is smiling while wearing a fur coat and looking at his cell phone
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the amount of correlation between the K-pop community and Kendrick is crazy
a man with dreadlocks wearing a brown jacket
a man with dreadlocks wearing a brown jacket
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a man with dreadlocks standing in front of a purple and blue background wearing a black jacket
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a man in a suit and tie eating food
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we cry together kendrick is so good
a man with dreadlocks on his head looking at the camera while wearing a black shirt
a man with dreadlocks on his head looking at the camera while wearing a black shirt
Kendrick
Kendrick
a close up of a person with dreadlocks wearing a black jacket and white shirt
a close up of a person with dreadlocks wearing a black jacket and white shirt
From the official Chanel account's Instagram story from July 17th 2025
From the official Chanel account's Instagram story from July 17th 2025
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a man with his arms crossed standing in front of a blue background wearing a black sweater
a man with his arms crossed standing in front of a blue background wearing a black sweater
a man with dreadlocks standing in front of a purple and white background smiling
a man with dreadlocks standing in front of a purple and white background smiling
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Pulitzer Kendrick Braids, Kendrick Lamar Braids, Kendrick Lamar Ponytail, Kendrick Lamar Hair, Kendrick Lamar Hairstyle, Kendrick Lamars Hair, Kendrick Dreads, Kendrick Lamar Haircut, Kendrick Lamar Cornrows
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a man standing in front of a dumpster with his hands on his hips and looking at the camera
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a man and woman sitting next to each other on a train with the caption'breakfast by the boatic sea in the morning and enjoy the sunset in the alps in the
KENDRICK LAMAR
KENDRICK LAMAR
Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar
a man with curly hair wearing a striped shirt and earphones in front of a store display
a man with curly hair wearing a striped shirt and earphones in front of a store display