Benny Harlem, a New York model and social media sensation, has dedicated his life to two things: his hair and his family (though not necessarily in that order). He and his now-9-year-old daughter, Jaxyn, went viral in the summer of 2016 after people on social media stumbled upon photos of their badass natural hair. Two years later, this father-daughter duo and their hair are once again taking the internet by storm — and this time around, Benny's got a Guinness World Record under his belt.
Benny and Jaxyn frequently share photos of their incredible hairstyles on Instagram, which range in style from massive afros to long braids. Their photo shoots often promote cultural pride and positivity, with the two frequently posing as Black Panthers and tribal royalty. Benny currently has more than 475,000 people following his account, and it's clear to see why. In fact, his seriously breathtaking hair earned him a world record last fall for the highest high-top fade.
Still, Benny and Jaxyn's hair isn't the only wonderful thing about their shoots: They share an unbreakable bond with each other, and it shows.
"We are divinely connected," Benny told i-D in 2017. "A lot of things are too personal to speak on but my connection with my baby exceeds anything I've ever known. That's a huge reason why I give her the world."
Benny's dedication to his daughter serves as an example to other struggling dads: Many have penned letters to him to thank him for the inspiration, which he often shares on Instagram.
"I cried for hours looking at the pictures with you and your pretty daughter," wrote Leroy from Raleigh, North Carolina. "It inspired me to get in contact with my children as soon as I could."
See more of this inspiring father-daughter duo below.
Jaxyn told i-D that she got her self-confidence from her mom and dad: "My parents believe in me and because of that I believe in myself so much!"
As of last year, the duo was working on a documentary with HBO. People just can't get enough of their story!
"I've been taught to remember where I've been and to honor those who have come before me, while I hold my parents' hands as I walk into my destiny," Jaxyn told i-D. Wow, that's quite the statement from a 9-year-old!
The release of the movie Black Panther served as the perfect photoshoot inspiration. Benny and Jaxyn Harlem would be right at home in Black Panther II, no?
Benny associates his super-long hair with African tradition, he told i-D, explaining that "the longer the hair in a male, the more 'wisdom' and wiser he was assumed to be" in traditional African societies.
The duo has appeared in high fashion magazines, including Glamour and Elle.
Benny's wife, Kourtney, appears in some of their viral photos as well. Though her hair isn't as long as her husband's, her beauty is remarkable – it's easy to see where Jaxyn gets her looks from!
Benny and Jaxyn offered i-D several important tidbits of advice for maintaining such long hair: Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate, and use regular deep conditioning treatments.
Some of Benny and Jaxyn's photoshoots double as social commentaries, like this image, shot at a California state prison.
There's just one thing about this duo that remains a mystery to this day: Exactly how many hours does it take them to detangle their hair?!
Clearly, this family knows hair. Benny has founded his own hair care line, Harlem Hair Care Institute, to help others reach hair lengths that are as impressive as his own.
Benny uses rare local products like Ethiopian frankincense butter and Ethiopian kachieia butter to maintain his own locks. (You can find those ingredients in his line of hair care products!)
About her father, Jaxyn says, "He really is the most wonderful man in the world. His soul inspires me to be my best. Daddy is my confidant and my teacher. Not just in my school studies, but my teacher in life."
We may not all be able to have hair like Benny and Jaxyn's, but their close relationship is definitely #goals.
