AzianGangstaz

J.D. Okhai Ojeikere'S photographic series is an intriguing study into the intricate art of Nigerian hairstyling. Looking at these photos makes me think of mid-90's Asian gangster hairstyles. Let me explain the leap in logic:

Ojeikere exposes a rather proud and celebratory trade in hair crafting, whereas African hair in the U.S. has its own peculiar pitfalls of identity politics. I have always felt that in America, black women and asian men have been in a pas de deux on the margins of racial politics and cultural representation. Some of the immediate aspects that come to mind are the hyper-sexualization of the black female body and the desexualization of an effeminate or monastic asian male. On another material note, black women have developed a whole complex industry (largely distributed by Korean-American businessmen) of Black hair products and techniques (techniques heavily influenced by West Africa). The crux of black hairstyling is the huge sculptural range of possibilities coupled with the sacrifices in time, money, and identity. With regard to hair, asian men are again perfectly counterpoised to the black woman. East Asian hair has very little range to offer in its shorter forms. A thick, coarse, and severely straight hair typology, without a significant amount of hair gel or pomade, it sits in a fluffed out non-denominational manner. Asian men who wear shorter hairstyles often default to the fade, spiky on top, suit-cut, or some combination thereof. With lack of possibility, the asian male either despairs w/ resignation or boasts w/ hair product. Enter the mid-90's asian bang cut. This is an interesting style deviation where the side fade moves to a buzz cut while preserving enormously long bangs swept backwards over the buzz.

Ok. I just attempted to searcch for a good photo online and came up empty handed. This hairstyle was a ubiquitous phenomenon during the 90's and anyone living in an asian-american suburb will know what I'm talking about. No photos on the internet? Well, looks like we're going to have to develop a blog collection of now 'vintage' mid-90's suburban asian formal dance photos that were collected and traded like baseball cards.