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Ta-Nehisi Coates

Ta-Nehisi Coates - Ta-Nehisi Coates is a senior editor for The Atlantic, where he writes about culture, politics, and social issues for TheAtlantic.com and the magazine. He is the author of the memoir The Beautiful Struggle. More

Born in 1975, the product of two beautiful parents. Raised in West Baltimore—not quite The Wire, but sometimes ill all the same. Studied at the Mecca for some years in the mid-’90s. Emerged with a purpose, if not a degree. Slowly migrated up the East Coast with a baby and my beloved, until I reached the shores of Harlem. Wrote some stuff along the way.

Awesome-Sauce Pt. 2

By Ta-Nehisi Coates
Mar 5 2009, 2:00 PM ET Comment

A reader writes:

I was hurrying to catch the Orange Line tonight when I noticed I a highschool kid coming up the escalator sporting a full-on Hi-Top fade.  I haven't seen anything like it in a good decade or so, so it really snapped me to attention.  Then I saw a couple other kids on the platform who looked like they were growing out their hair, and maybe tightening up the sides a bit -- sort of like it was too early to commit right now, but maybe they'd go into Big Daddy Kane mode come springtime.

Now this is the first time I've noticed this.  Maybe it was just that one kid and I was imagining it with the others.  Or maybe it's just a Boston thing, or like, a particular high school team thing...I don't know.  But after seeing that 3rd Bass video you posted last week, I got all nostalgic.  And now if I really am seeing the early edge of the next big wave, I want to be ready.

I currently have what's known as a "Boy's Regular" cut.  Based on your experience, how long do you think it will take for me to look like MC Serch (like, THEN, not now)?  Also is this a reasonable look for a 40 year old in middle management?  Please note that I am caucasian, unlike Mr Serch.
Hmm, I think I should throw this one out to the crowd. What say you?


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