For Our Reference: Donté, Tyrus And Draydon On Male Grooming
Editors note from our second print issue -
This is for all of our reference. The print issue holds a special place in our hearts as it stands to debunk misconceptions within the ongoing narrative of what it means to be Black and British; an island nation that simultaneously holds beautiful yet troubling contributions to our experience and identities. The ongoing battle and need to constantly educate the masses about our beautiful coils and curls while still needing to move our heads away when unwanted hands reach to touch our strands. Having to carefully read product labels ensuring it contains ingredients that nourish and not damage our crowns, explaining the beauty of our style or clothing textures which hail from our parents and grandparents, to fighting against systems that contribute towards the harm of a population that significantly aided in the building of a nation we call home - all factors that often become tiring. That is where For Our Reference comes in.
It’s a refreshing representation of what it means to take control of our narrative. Standing as our second print issue, it explores: growth pattern of Black hair education with Paige Lewin and Kameese Davis, the policing of Black women’s beauty in the age of AI, importance of building communities, an essential and entertaining conversation with three young men regarding their views on hair and grooming, which later turned into the classic ‘plantain vs plantin’ debate. I must jump in quickly, it’s Alloco (this is coming from an Ivorian). Back onto the content, Backroad Gee speaks on his famous ad-libs with Jodi Clarke, Juliana Kasumu talks of Threads Of Memory - a project supported by BFI National Archive’s Our Screen Heritage.
And our Success Is Collective digital issue makes a special appearance for you.
“I’d say it’s important, like very important. I don’t mind rocking an afro, like I’d go out anyway. But it doesn’t compare to when my hair’s done... I take the long way home. But yeah, it’s important still. Keep up with it, stay on top of it. Go oil your scalp as well, don’t have a dry scalp.”
Our hair tells stories - of roots, resilience, creativity and choice. Photographed by Bea Dalley, this barbering inspired project portrays the relationship between Black men, their hair and grooming. But what started as a conversation about self-care shortly turned into a diaspora discourse, the infamous ‘plantain’ vs ‘plantin’ debate.
CH: Introduce yourselves.
DONTÉ: My name is Donté, I’m a musician.
DRAYDON: I’m a musician and model.
TYRUS: My name is Tyrus Kane, I’m an artist, multidisciplinary artist, and yeah that’s me.
DONTÉ: Yeah RS, triple threat. Do you want to take the leather jacket as well? [laughs]
CH: What’s your go-to hairstyle?
DONTÉ: Afro, raggo, no fixing it up. Wake up and put a little bit of water in it. Raggo afro, lopsided everything. That’s my go-to.
DRAYDON: My go-to is simple, three plaits back or I’d go for four in total or twists but never singles though because [I] can’t take them out, your fingers are hurting I’ll be real. Simple. Hold tight 3D too.
TYRUS: I was about to say that man. Mine has always been natural or curly afro. We’re lucky because we got certain genetics so we can do a lot with our hair, you know what I’m saying. Can do the braids, can do the cainrows or cornrows whatever you want to call it, plantain or plantin.
DONTÉ: What? Plantain?
TYRUS: I said plantain or plantin. I’ve opened up a can of worms haven’t I? [laughs]
CH: Now I have to ask for some clarification.
DONTÉ: The difference between plantain or plantin is, plantain is chopped [in] small circles but plantin is chopped at an angle. That’s yardie. You can tell who cooked it, either a Caribbean or African person. If it’s got an angle on it, that’s a yard ting.
TYRUS: Nah, I’m Jamaican as well, we do the side cut and everything but it’s plantain. I’ve heard plantain growing up.
DONTÉ: You’re a Jafaican. Next question bro, you’ve got this guy embarrassing us - what you on about? [laughs]
DRAYDON: I’m not even Jamaican but I swear it’s plantin?
CH: How important is hair and grooming to you as a Black male?
DONTÉ: You want me to be real? Am I allowed to swear?
RC: Swear, you’re allowed.
“I didn’t cut my hair a lot growing up, I had long hair most of my life. Can’t lie, when I was younger I wanted the Nike tick at the back. I got the Nike tick and I was clear after that. Primary school years [like] year 2 year 3, that’s when it was hot on the streets. I walked into school on the same day as my best friend and we both had the swoosh on the back. I’ll tell you now, perfect.”
DONTÉ: I don’t give a shit but but I should give a shit. For me, I just feel like it’s very long. Recently I’ve started to take better care of my hair, I’ve had my hair done back to back three times, that’s an accomplishment. How long do you keep your hair in for?
TYRUS: I try to do three weeks bro.
DONTÉ: For me, one week and it’s out, I’m back to the afro. I’ve been taking care of it like recently. Plantmade sent my missus some stuff so man’s been using all of that. But for me, the grooming ting? I need to do more.
DRAYDON: I’d say it’s important like very important. I don’t mind rocking an afro like I’d go out anyway but it doesn’t compare to when my hair’s done.
DONTÉ: You’re feeling yourself?
DRAYDON: Feeling myself. I take the long way home. But yeah, it’s important still. Keep up with it, stay on top of it. Go oil your scalp aswell, don’t have a dry scalp.
TYRUS: It’s important to me; just naturally, self care and self love man, that’s all it is. But you can love yourself and not have to pick your afro out everyday, it’s just my ting.
DONTÉ: Tyrus got the oil in his purse- [laughs]
TYRUS: He’s got jokes innit? I oil up my hair like every couple of days. Grooming in general is important.
CH: Most memorable barber or hairstyle experience?
DONTÉ: Carlos! First person to ever cut my hair.
DRAYDON: I can’t lie, Alex. You know how you have to keep going back, make sure it’s crisps at the front. I’ve gone there one time and he just tarnished it a bit.
DONTÉ: You know the border? He’s saying the barber gave him a mad border. The Dexta Daps ting [everyone laughs]
DRAYDON: Durag only for months on end but I’m back, better than ever. Alex, my guy but you done me that day.
DONTÉ: Who was your barber back in the day?
TYRUS: I didn’t cut my hair a lot growing up, I had long hair most of my life. Can’t lie, when I was younger I wanted the Nike tick at the back. I got the Nike tick and I was clear after that. Primary school years [like] year 2 year 3, that’s when it was hot on the streets. I walked into school on the same day as my best friend and we both had the swoosh on the back. I’ll tell you now, perfect.
DRAYDON: If you had Adidas on your head- [laughs]
DONTÉ: I had a bad boy high top, no one you knew had a better high top than me.
CH: Quick fire questions now, Grime or Rap?
TYRUS: Why do we have to choose one? That’s my question.
Read the full interview by purchasing our second print magazine here.
CREDITS
INTERVIEW: Charlene Haylette - @charlenes_media
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Raissa Coulibaly - @therealraissa
ART DIRECTOR AND PHOTOGRAPHER: Bea Dalley - @beatrixxindia
FASHION STYLIST: Tele Awo - @teleolaaa
PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANT: Charlie Blakey
FASHION CREDITS:
Velour Trouser: NEW ERA - @neweraeurope
Velour Hat: MAINS LONDON - @mainslondon
Jewellery: Accessories of Old - @accessoriesofold
