Central Cee is a British rapper who is known for his unique style and quick rise in the music business. He was recently at the center of a heated cultural discussion.

He got a lot of attention on social media when a video of him wearing Bantu knots, an African hairstyle, went popular. People were upset and accused him of appropriating African culture.

When X user @LilDurkCrave posted the video on August 11, 2024, it was supposed to show off new chains worn by another rapper named Durkio.

But Central Cee’s haircut was what people were most interested in.

The Zulu people in Southern Africa are the ones who invented the Bantu knot. To make one, you twist pieces of hair into small, twisted knots. This style has deep roots in African culture and has spiritual and cultural meanings.

Many people on social media were upset to see Central Cee, who has a Guyanese-Chinese father and an English mother, wear the traditional African haircut. The video quickly became a topic of discussion online.

Some people thought he was taking from other cultures, and one person asked, “Why does Central Cee have in Bantu knots?!?!?!?!?”

Someone else said, “Man did a feature with Asake now he thinks he’s… nevermind,” implying that Central Cee’s work with the Nigerian artist may have had an effect on his haircut choice.

Someone gave it a very harsh review, saying, “THIS is why the black community needs to stop being so open to outsiders coming in and messing with our stuff.” This white guy felt good enough to 1. wear Bantu knots with his weird *ss and 2. wear them around black people. It’s way too comfy, that’s not even a word.

But not everyone agreed with what was said.

Some users spoke up for Central Cee, saying that haircuts can’t be policed and that people shouldn’t be so quick to call him racist.

“Why y’all wanna gatekeep hair smh weird af,” said one user. “Bantu knots are a traditional Southern African hairstyle and I don’t see a single Southern African complaining…” said another. “These children and grandchildren of East African slaves always have something to say.”

People also talked about culture exchange and unfair treatment of some groups.

“So people have a problem with Central Cee having Bantu knots in his head and that’s cosplaying?” asked one user. Is it okay for a black woman to wear Asian or Brazilian wigs in her hair though? I swear that black people are the most dangerous.

This is not the first time that Central Cee has been looked at closely online.

In a viral TikTok rant last month, the rapper’s ex-girlfriend Madeline Argy said that he cheated on her with another artist, Ice Spice. This caused him to get into another scandal.