Subcultures- skinheads

Skin heads

A skinhead is a member of a subculture that originated among working class youths in London, England in the 1960s and then soon spread to other parts of the United Kingdom, and later to other countries around the world. Named for their close-cropped or shaven heads, the first skinheads were greatly influenced by West Indian (specifically Jamaican) rude boys and British mods, in terms of fashion, music and lifestyle. Originally, the skinhead subculture was primarily based on those elements, not politics or race. Since then, however, attitudes toward race and politics have become factors by which some skinheads align themselves.

How did they dress?

There are two types of skin heads traditional skinheads, also known as trads or Trojan skinheads, adopt the style of the original 1960s skinhead subculture.

And Neo skinheads, influenced by the 1970s punk subculture — often have shorter hair than 1960s-style skinheads, and tend to wear higher boots, tighter jeans, and clothing styles that are less mod-influenced than their traditionalist counterparts.

What music do they listen to?

The skinhead subculture was originally associated with black popular music genres such as soul, ska, rocksteady and early reggae. The link between skinheads and Jamaican music led to the development of the skinhead reggae genre, performed by artists such as: Desmond Dekker, Derrick Morgan, Laurel Aitken, Symarip and The Pioneers. In the early 1970s, some reggae songs began to feature themes of Black Nationalism, which many white skinheads could not relate to. The most popular music style for late-1970s skinheads was 2 Tone, which was a fusion of ska, rocksteady, reggae, pop and punk rock. Also in the late 1970s, after the first wave of punk rock, many skinheads embraced Oi!, a working class punk subgenre.[32] Musically, Oi! Combines standard punk with elements of football chants, pub rock and British glam rock.

What are their beliefs?

Most skinheads are Nationalist. They believe in their Nation and its ability to function effectively in the world.