The closely shaven fade got its start in the military during the World Wars when everyone needed to have short hair for good hygiene. In the 1980s, hip-hop took the fade and added an urban feel to it with MCs like Big Daddy Kane, Kid from Kid ‘n Play, and Will Smith from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air adding their own personal styles to it.

While the fade never really went away, it’s come back big time over the past few years with Kanye West’s mullet fade, Drake’s side part fade and many more.

1/12
Giant Knot & Mid Fade
@los_cut_it

Giant Knot & Mid Fade

Longer dreadlocks always look good in a knot on the top of the head. Here, the mid fade is tight and looks very 2020 with the angular cut of the fine beard.

2/12
The Bart
@ barbaruivabr

The Bart

The Simpsons have always got a lot of love in the black community with T-shirts and other clothing depicting Bart Simpson doing various misdeeds. Here, the model takes it even further by rocking Bart’s haircut with a soft fade and various lines running through it.

3/12
Vanished Line Up and Shaved Temple
@zeke_the_barber

Vanished Line Up and Shaved Temple

The classic high top fade always had the temples shaved to allow for the boxy look. With this cut, the shaved temples lead into small twists, perfect for the new decade.

4/12
Buzzed Temple Fade
@the_experience111

Buzzed Temple Fade

This look, a relative of the finger waves of the 1980s, is smart and sophisticated. Perfect for job interviews or first dates, the low fade here is buzzed up just right.

5/12
Low Faded Temple with Pocky Line Up
@z_ramsey

Low Faded Temple with Pocky Line Up

The twists are going every which way, and that’s perfect for 2020. With a low fade on the temple and a pocky line-up, this cut is guaranteed to look great for getting heads to turn when entering a room.

6/12
Flat Top and Short Skin Fade
@reyesthebarber

Flat Top and Short Skin Fade

Straight from the mid-1980s, the classic high top fade looks still looks extra fresh for 2020. Whether it’s on a rapper or hipster, this haircut for black men never goes out of style.

7/12
Hardline Fade and Dreads
@paulo_sillva_barber

Hardline Fade and Dreads

There is nothing ordinary about this cut. The dreads tied around the head in headband form go very well with the hardline fade and the lightning bolt designs.

8/12
Medium Fade and Braided Top
@barberphil15

Medium Fade and Braided Top

The braids leading back to an afro puff top knot is the star of the show here, but the medium fade holds it all together for 2020.

9/12
Tight Shaped Curls and Drop Fade
@barberphil15

Tight Shaped Curls and Drop Fade

For 2020, black men are proud to have tight curls. This cut is a rounded out high top with a drop fade low on the temple area.

10/12
Line-Up and Low Fade
@barberphil15

Waves and Low Fade

While they are hard to keep in place overnight, waves are crashing onto 2020! This look is retro-futuristic with the line-up and low fade to keep it tight.

11/12
Low Skin Fade and Short Crop
@omarthabarber

Low Skin Fade and Short Crop

The short crop on top almost looks like the black version of the Caesar cut. It’s forward-thinking while being brushed forward. The low fade goes all the way to the skin for extra added flyness.

12/12
Lose Curls and Burst Fade
@barberphil15

Lose Curls and Burst Fade

The burst fade is all the rage right now in barbershops all over the world. Here, the loose curls on top go perfectly with the burst fade because it fits nicely around the ears.