Baldhead

noun BAAL-hed ˈbaːldhɛd

Also spelled bald head, baldhed

In Rastafari speech, a person who is not Rasta — one without dreadlocks — and, by extension, anyone aligned with Babylon, the establishment and its ways. The word marks the line between the Rastafari path, with its uncut, locked crown, and the wider system of the shaven, conforming world. It can be plain description or pointed judgement, setting the natural, upful livity of the dread against the 'baldhead' who goes along with Babylon, and it runs through reggae's long reckoning with the two ways of living.

  • Di baldhead dem nuh overstand di livity.

    Non-Rastas don't grasp the way of life.

  • Him cut off him locks an turn baldhead.

    He cut off his locks and became a non-Rasta.

  • Rasta nuh deal wid baldhead politics.

    Rastas don't get involved with Babylon's politics.

Literally a head without the locks a Rastafari grows; the term was spread worldwide through reggae, notably Bob Marley's 'Crazy Baldhead'.

A Rastafari in-group term, sometimes pointed or dismissive toward those of 'Babylon'. Not necessarily about actual baldness.