Afro baby! a tribute to a funksoulsista
February 13, 2012
the week starts with rather sad news, one of America’s greatest singers is deceased; Whitney Houston (Newark, August 9, 1963 – Beverly Hills, February 11, 2012) RIP.
Her music is certainly not among my favorites but its influence and impact on modern singers is huge and above all, her descent from a famous family of musicians like mother Cissy Houston and cousin of singer Dionne Warwick is quite remarkable. She started her career as a background singer for Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin and received in her career more Grammy Awards then any other female singer before her. To die at an early age of 48 is certainly too young, you will be missed.
Whitney Houston Afro 1970s
As a tribute to Whitney Houston today I therefore present one of the many hair styles that the singer often wore in public; the Afro.
see also Blue Elephant -Black Is Beautiful -cover art
In the mid-1960s, the Afro hairstyle began in a fairly tightly coiffed form – such as the hairstyle that became popular amongst members of the Black Panther Party, as the 1960s progressed towards the 1970s, the overall size or Afros- both within and outside of the African -American community- grew and grew.
Such large Afros were famously sported by African American entertainers and socio-political figures, political activist Angela Davis, actress Pam Grier, rock musician Jimi Hendrix, and the members of the musical groups The Jackson 5 and The Supremes are prominent examples. But also fashionable black South Africans wore the Afro as a proud token of their heritage.
Mahotella Queens in the 70's
Thula Mabota -Watch Out
Since those days, the Afro is no longer a feature of a conscious political choice but a curly fashion for men and women. These days this particular hairdo really knows no limits in terms of color or race.
Manzini Girls -Afro Wig SWB 229
see also previous post Township Soul & Boogie -At The Club- Soul Safari 1 year!
Model -Debra Shaw
Photography -Frits Kok © 2000
Make-up Topolino (Paris) , Hair -Caroline (Paris)
Eddy De Clercq & Friends -Miss Ghana (Afro Baby)
afro_funk logo by brev87
source Wikipedia & various
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