What's a du-rag?

A do-rag, also spelled doo-rag or durag is a simple piece of cloth tied at the back, used to cover the head.

From the 1930s to the 1960s, they were used by African-American men to hold chemically processed hair-dos in place while they slept. Originally they were made from pieces of handkerchief or women's stockings, now they are made from polyester. Do-rags resurged as a fashion trend among urban youth in the 1970s and 1990s. Typically, do-rags are black, but can be worn in other colors. Do-rags are also regularly used to maintain cornrowed hairstyles.

The history of the do-rag is most notably attributed to Civil War era slaves, but its first appearance seems to predate that time. It is, however, most closely associated with Afro-American culture because the slaves brought that style with them from their native lands.

Hip hop artists such as Tupac Shakur, LL Cool J, Ja Rule, 50 Cent and Nelly have helped popularize do-rags among mainstream audiences by incorporating them in their dress.