It’s a groovy – yet goofy to some – requirement on having that definite 70′s image. It matches real well with bell-bottom jeans and disco music. Men and women alike sport it. What else can it be but the funky afro hair updo of the 70′s?

Tracing its roots, the afro originally started as a political and activist statement of the African-American Civil Rights Movement, particularly the Black is Beautiful campaign. With its distinct, iconic appearance, the afro’s popularity spread to all facets of the media. By the 70′s, it had become a staple or fashion necessity and trend, prompting most people in the funky generation to sport the bushy hair updo.

Surprisingly, the afro continued to spread way past the 70′s, constantly – and still popular – appearing in contemporary fashion and media. Celebrities, athletes, musicians, almost anyone from all walks of life, still sport this kinky hairstyle.

To give you an idea on how far and big the afro’s reach has, here’s a short list of some celebrities sporting (or had sported) the 70′s hairstyle:

Kobe Bryant – with five NBA championship rings in his hand, the high-scoring Los Angeles Laker shooting guard once sported a short, bushy afro in his early playing years. The then high-flying star had his definite afro moment. His first win in an NBA slam dunk competition showed him sporting the ‘do.

The Mars Volta – rock and afro – who in their right mind would think that it’ll be a good match. As shown by The Mars Volta’s frontman Cedric Bixler-Zavala, and its experimental guitarist Omar Afredo Rodriguez-Lopez, their wild, afroesque (for a lack of a better term) hair styles proved to be a great compliment to their musical talents. With the band known for their bizarre, long-winded, often distorted tracks, their wild, free-flow playing style can be directly associated on their equally explosive, bushy hair.

Spike Spiegel – afro has also penetrated the world of animation. Cowboy Bebop, an award-winning anime of the late 90′s, features a chain-smoking, kung-fu breaking, afro-wearing, lanky protagonist named Spike Spiegel. The anime in itself is a tribute to many American pop trivia, which of course include the afro.

And the list goes on. With the number of popular celebrities (both real and fictional) sporting an afro, it’s safe to say that this particular seventies hairstyle won’t see its end anytime soon. You may love it, you may hate it, but the afro will still remain as one of the many reminders of the groovy, funky, soul generation called the 70′s.