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When Jay-Z took the stage at Roots Picnic last weekend, the internet looked at each other. The Grammy Award winner, who has sported enormous dreadlocks for years, unveiled an incredible afro that instantly sparked confusion, curiosity, and, of course, countless debates on social media. A wig? Extensions? A clever stage trick? Absolutely not.
Many people don't know that dreadlocks can actually be combed out! It's a labor-intensive process that preserves the hair's length without the need for a full haircut. Still, seeing Jay-Z with an afro seemed almost surreal. After all, we'd never seen such a look on the rapper before, making this dramatic transformation one of the most talked-about celebrity beauty moments this weekend.
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The man behind this viral hairstyle is celebrity hairstylist Leticia "Leti" Ravelo, the talented professional behind the look. She assisted a professional dreadlock stylist in patiently combing Jay-Z's locks, and then created his gorgeous afro all by herself (all while four months pregnant with her second child). Unsurprisingly, she used a whole arsenal of Cecréd products, Beyoncé's haircare line, to achieve the look.
As the debate about Black hair continues, this moment also serves as a reminder of the amazing versatility of textured hair and some of the misconceptions that still exist about dreadlocks.
Cosmo magazine spoke with Letty to dispel accusations that she used a wig and to detail how the transformation happened, how long it took, and what it was like to create one of the most talked-about hairstyles of the year.
First of all, how long did it actually take to comb out his dreadlocks?
It took six days to detangle the dreadlocks. People see the end result and don't realize how much time goes into maintaining hair, its length, and its health. We didn't work around the clock, but he made sure to find time for it every day, even while juggling it with rehearsals and other commitments. It wasn't a rushed process—it was a long one.
Did he ever get to the point where he wanted to give up and just cut ties with them?
Not at all. He was very clear about what he wanted. When I told him it was possible, he said, "Okay, let's do it." He knew it would take time, and he was patient throughout the entire process. There wasn't a single moment when he said, "Forget it, let's just cut it." Once he made his decision, he was completely committed.
Many people online have mistaken an Afro hairstyle for a wig because they didn't know dreadlocks could be combed. So what does this process actually look like?
Dreadlocks are essentially intertwined strands of hair. The key to success is moisture and patience. We used Cécred detangling spray and deep conditioner, letting them soak into the hair and then gently separating the strands from the bottom up with a fine-tooth comb. You need to work gradually. Remember, he's had dreadlocks for about eight years, so you're working with hair he's had for years. This is definitely not something to be done in a hurry.
Were his dreadlocks really as long as they looked?
Absolutely. They were incredibly long—and the hair fell down my back. It was just ridiculous how long it was.
How much product did it take to detangle your hair?
A lot. We used a combination of Cécred detangling spray and deep conditioning conditioner, but I distinctly remember using about eight large cans of it. Hydration was paramount in this process because we were trying to maintain not only the length but also the overall health of his hair.
What is the most common misconception people have about combing dreadlocks?
They say it's quick. It's not. If you want to maintain the length and health of your hair, you need to take your time. Some may claim they can do it in much less time, but if you prioritize the health of your hair, there are simply no shortcuts. For me, the health of my hair always comes before my hairstyle. I even took care of my scalp throughout the process, because six days of detangling means a lot of tugging and manipulation. Healthy hair starts there.
Once the dreadlocks were taken out, how did you create the afro hairstyle?
After the dreads were completely unbraided, I treated his hair with Cécred's restorative mask to restore moisture. I then applied a hydrating lotion and heat protectant spray from the new collection to lock in the moisture before styling. I braided his hair into slicked-back pigtails and left them in for about a week. On the day of his performance at Roots Picnic, I unbraided the pigtails, shaped the afro, and, frankly, just prayed to the hair gods that everything would look just right. Luckily, it turned out exactly as I imagined.
What was Jay-Z's reaction when he saw the final version?
He loved it. It was simply incredible. When he saw the result, he was truly overjoyed at the transformation.
How did it feel to watch this style go viral?
I'm incredibly happy. I'm a natural hair expert, so seeing him embrace his texture and rock his afro on such a big stage was amazing. I was like, "Wow!" I love that natural hair continues to be trendy and that people embrace it for who it is.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
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