Beyoncé is giving fans an intimate look behind one of the most talked-about hair transformations of the year. The superstar documented the process of taking out Jay-Z’s signature locs, revealing exactly how the rap icon traded his wicks for a show-stopping afro at the 2026 Roots Picnic, and why he decided to grow his hair out in the first place.
The process wasn’t quick. Loctician Houston Locs, who worked alongside lead hairstylist Letisia Ravelo, shared that the takedown took four days and required four bottles of Beyoncé’s Cécred detangling spray. Ravelo, who styled the final afro, posted a photo with the caption: “So many different flows. Thank you again for trusting me on this switch up!!!”
Jay-Z’s hair journey wasn’t just about style, it became part of his identity. In a 2023 conversation with Gayle King, he admitted he considered cutting his hair, but daughter Blue Ivy shut it down. According to Jay, she told him, “No, Dad, you can’t cut your hair. It’s part of who you are”. That family blessing gave his locs emotional weight beyond fashion.
The rapper started his natural hair journey in 2017, appearing with shorter locs in the “Ape Sh*t” video before they grew into the shoulder-length wicks seen at the 2026 Met Gala. His transformation tracked his artistic evolution, from the crisp Caesar of the hustler-to-mogul era to locs that read as freedom, legacy, and a man fully settled into his icon status.
Beyoncé’s haircare brand Cécred turned the viral moment into a full beauty conversation. On June 5, 2026, the brand hosted a “Take Down Live” on TikTok, teaching fans proper loc comb-out techniques and giving away Cécred products. The demonstration helped demystify a process many found confusing, especially since Ravelo had to debunk rumors that Jay-Z was wearing a lace front. She clarified that it took him eight years to grow his locs.
Cécred proudly highlighted Jay’s use of the Detangling & Conditioning Pre-Wash Treatment on social media, showing how the product helped make the demanding takedown possible. While Jay hasn’t been officially named a Cécred ambassador, his transformation became an unexpected win for the brand.
