13 Black Actors With Dreads To Inspire Your Sense Of Fashion

Which famous African Americans have dreadlocks? From Jahi Winston's ethereal elegance to Luka Sabbat's rugged charm, black actors with dreads weave their narratives into every twist and turn of their dreads. Each strand surely tells a story of their creativity, unapologetic self-expression, challenging conventional beauty standards, and celebrating the rich diversity of black hair.

Black stars are known to let their personalities shine through their fashion, from clothing to hairstyles. People enjoy seeing their diversity all year long on tours, red-carpet events, social media, and more.

Male black actors with dreads

Dreadlocks have transcended fashion trends, becoming a statement of individuality and confidence. But where do you start if you're looking for inspiration to rock your dreads? Well, don't worry. Here is a list of male celebrities with dreadlocks to inspire your sense of fashion.

1. Luka Sabbat

• Full name: Luka Sabbat
• Date of birth: November 26, 1997
• Age: 26 years old (as of 2024)
• Place of birth: Manhattan, New York City

Luka Sabbat is known for his Luca Hall-starring role in the drama TV series Grown-ish (2019-2023). The show's creator, Kenya Barris, met Sabbat at Soho House and created a character based on him. Fans loved Sabbat's character in the first season, and it was changed from a recurring one to a main one.

2. Snoop Dogg

• Full name: Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr.
• Date of birth: October 20, 1971
• Age: 52 years old (as of 2024)
• Place of birth: Long Beach, California

Snoop Dogg is best known as a rapper and has over 15 top-rated albums. He has appeared in several TV episodes and films, starring in Bones, The Wash, and Mac and Devin Goes to High School. He has had cameo and supporting roles in various films, including Bruno, Starsky, Training Day, and Half Baked.

3. Jaden Smith

• Full name: Jaden Christopher Syre Smith
• Date of birth: July 8, 1998
• Age: 26 years old (as of 2024)
• Place of birth: Malibu, California

Jaden’s film debut was with his dad, Will Smith, in The Pursuit of Happyness and then After Earth. He also starred in the remake films The Karate Kid and The Day the Earth Stood Still. Following a short break, Jaden Smith returned to acting in 2016, voice acting in Netflix's anime Neo Yokio and starring in Netflix's The Get Down.

4. Lenny Kravitz

• Full name: Leonard Albert Kravitz
• Date of birth: May 26, 1964
• Age: 59 years old (as of 2024)
• Place of birth: New York City

Lenny Kravitz is a household name in the music industry and is among the famous black men with dreads.

Aside from his eleven music studio albums, totalling approximately 40 million sales worldwide, this artist has transitioned seamlessly into Hollywood. He has had roles in several successful box-office films and shows, such as The Hunger Games, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, and The World Is Watching: Making The Hunger Games.

He has also had cameo and supporting roles in Holy Ghost, The Butler, Zoolander, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Precious and more.

5. Wiz Khalifa

• Full name: Cameron Jibril Thomaz
• Date of birth: September 8, 1987
• Age: 36 years old (as of 2024)
• Place of birth: Minot, North Dakota

Cameron Jibril Thomaz alias Wiz Khalifa is famous for his successful music career. But outside music, Cameron has delved into acting with TV roles in The Eric Andre Show and Dickinson.

He starred alongside Snoop Dogg in the 2012 film Mac & Devin Go to High School. He has also voiced the animated series Big City Green, Duncanville, and American Dad.

6. Jahi Winston

• Full name: Jahi Di'Allo Winston
• Date of birth: December 1, 2003
• Age: 20 years old (as of 2024)
• Place of birth: Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Jahi Winston is among the famous and upcoming young black actors with dreads. He is known for his roles in films and shows such as We Have a Ghost, Charm City Kings, Proud Mary, The Upside, Queen and Slim, The Dead Don't Die, Feed the Beast, Libby and Malcolm, and many more.

7. T-Pain

• Full name: Faheem Rashad Najm
• Date of birth: September 30, 1984
• Age: 39 years old (as of 2024)
• Place of birth: Tallahassee, Florida

T-Pain debuted as an actor in May 2009 in the Aqua Teen Hunger Force live-action episode as Frylock. His animated TV special Freaknik: The Musical premiered on March 7, 2010. It featured guest celebrities, including Rick Ross, Sophia Fresh, Snoop Dogg, Young Ca$h, Lil Wayne and more.

T-Pain Cinema's acting debut was in the comedy film Lottery Ticket. In 2016, he appeared as American singer Stevie Wonder in an episode of the YouTube series Epic Rap Battle of History. Since 2018, he has hosted T-Pain's School of Business, a docuseries in which he travels across the USA meeting with different entrepreneurs.

8. Chris O'Neal

• Full name: Christopher Richard O'Neal
• Date of birth: April 4, 1994
• Age: 30 years old (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Teaneck, New Jersey

Christopher Richard O'Neal is famous for his major role as Kevin Reed in the Nickelodeon TV series How to Rock (2012). He and Noah Crawford co-hosted another Nickelodeon series, You Gotta See This (2012).

Chris has since starred in several films, including Swindle (2013), Greenhouse Academy (2014), Raven’s Touch (2015), Collins in Black & White (2018)

9. Brett Johnson

• Full name: Brett Austin Johnson
• Date of birth: May 22, 1997
• Age: 26 years old (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Washington, DC

Bret Johnson began acting at age three, performing at the Baltimore Centre Stage. He recently rose to fame in 2019 for his Jason role in CBS' Five Feet Apart. He is among the latest young African American actors to join the dramatic ranks of prestigious Morehouse College alums.

10. Lil Wayne

• Full name: Dwayne Michael Carter Jr.
• Date of birth: September 27, 1982
• Age: 41 years old (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: New Orleans, Louisiana

Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., alias Lil Wayne, is considered one of his generation's most influential hip-hop artists. In addition to music, Lil Wayne has had major, minor, and cameo roles in several TV films and shows, including Baller Blockin', Who's Your Caddy?, Hurricane Season, Freaknik: The Musical, House Party, The Boondocks, and more.

11. J Cole

• Full name: Jermaine Lamarr Cole
• Date of birth: January 28, 1985
• Age: 39 years old (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Fayetteville, North Carolina

J. Cole is famous for his introspective approach to hip-hop music with hits like Middle Child, No Role Modelz, etc.

Beyond his musical talent, J. Cole has also dabbled in acting, appearing in several film and TV roles, including Eyes, Forest Hills Drive: Homecoming, J Cole: Road to Homecoming, J Cole: 4 Your Eyes Only, Applying Pressure: The Off-Season Documentary and more.

12. Wale

• Full name: Olubowale Victor Akintimehin
• Date of birth: September 21, 1984
• Age: 39 years old (as of 2024)
• Place of birth: Northwest, Washington, DC

Wale is an American rapper and actor who became famous for his 2006 hit song Dig Dug (Shake It). He has had several cameo and supporting roles in TV films and shows, including American Honey, Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, and Free Guy. In addition, he played the Chango role in American Gods' season 3.

13. Quavo

• Full name: Quavious Keyate Marshall[
• Date of birth: April 2, 1991
• Age: 33 years old (as of 2024)
• Place of birth: Athens, Georgia

Quavo, the frontman of the now-defunct hip-hop trio Migos, is also famous in film and television. He has played roles in TV films such as Savage Salvation, Praise This, Takeover, and Cashout. He has had minor roles in various TV series, including Atlanta, Star, Ballers, Black-ish, and Justin Bieber: Seasons.

Who are the most handsome black actors?

The list of the most attractive black Hollywood actors still living today includes young up-and-comers under 40, like Daniel Kaluuya and Lakeith Stanfield, as well as older black actors like Denzel Washington and Idris Elba.

Who is considered the greatest black actor of all time?

Denzel Washington is regarded as a paragon of acting throughout his successful decades-long career. He was born on December 28, 1954, in Mount Vernon, New York, and his acting career has spanned over four decades.

Washington has received numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards, a Tony Award, two Silver Bears and three Golden Globe Awards.

Final word

Whether you crave a bold, statement look or a more low-key vibe, black actors with dreads offer a wealth of inspiration. Remember, dreadlocks are a canvas for your creativity, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles, lengths and accessories.

Tuko.co.ke has published an article about young black British actors and actresses to watch. The British cinema’s future is bright, and a vibrant part of that future is the rising generation of young Black actors and actresses.

These talented individuals are breaking barriers, captivating audiences, and bringing fresh perspectives to the screen. So, who are the top black British actors and actresses? Read this article for more.