Martin “Safro Fades” Safari isn’t your run-of-the-mill barber. Instead of the usual clippers or scissors, he prefers an arsenal of knives, shovels, and hammers. Yes, you read that right – hammers!
Imagine strolling down the street and seeing a barber wielding a hammer over someone’s head. That’s Safari’s everyday scene, and it’s enough to make any passerby stop and gawk. But don’t worry – his clients stay cool as cucumbers, trusting him completely as he juggles potentially deadly tools around their heads.
Safari’s quirky methods have earned him quite a reputation, turning heads and trimming hair in the most unusual way. His clients leave his chair looking sharp and well-groomed, despite the fact that they just survived a haircut that could double as an extreme sport.
This unique approach led to his crowning moment at the 2023 Barber Grammy Awards, where he snagged the Best Content Creator title, making history as the first African to win the award.
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“I didn’t even bother showing up to the awards because, come on, who would think a hammer-wielding barber would win?” Safari told TRT Afrika. “The other nominees were more famous and had traveled far and wide. So, when I won, I was as shocked as anyone!”
Safari, a 24-year-old Rwandese national, packed his bags and moved to Nairobi in late 2023, hoping the city would boost his profile as an unconventional barber. And boy, did it pay off! His Instagram page (@safro_fades) exploded with over 230,000 followers and his most popular video racked up a jaw-dropping 95 million views.
Safari ditched his business administration studies in Rwanda to pursue his passion for hair grooming. His big break came in December 2022 when he posted a viral video of himself using a hammer and chisel on a client. The internet went wild, and his follower count skyrocketed from 2,000 to 100,000 in just three weeks.
“I wanted to stand out,” Safari explained, casually mentioning that he charges $45 to $60 per haircut. In 2023, he even served as a celebrity judge at a barbers’ competition in Cameroon, further solidifying his status as the king of quirky cuts.
Winning clients’ trust isn’t easy when your tools of the trade look like they belong in a hardware store. To win over skeptics, Safari sometimes offers free shaves and even treats them to lunch. Looking ahead, he dreams of organizing an international barbers’ expo to showcase his exceptional skills to a global audience.
“I think expos would help talented barbers get the publicity they need to expand their markets,” he said. He also plans to establish training workshops for those brave enough to learn his distinctive haircutting techniques.
So, if you ever find yourself in Nairobi and feel adventurous, maybe a hammer-and-knife haircut from Safro Fades is just what you need to spice up your style!
