If you’ve ever cranked up Lay Me Down or Vacation, you already know Dirty Heads bring sun-soaked vibes with a hip-hop twist. They’re part reggae, part rap, part rock — basically the soundtrack to rolling the windows down and not worrying about much.

But how did they land on a name like Dirty Heads?

The Origin Story

Dirty Heads started back in Huntington Beach, California, when Jared “Dirty J” Watson and Dustin “Duddy B” Bushnell met in high school. Both were into hip-hop and reggae, both were skater-surf kids, and both had that California laid-back chaos in their blood.

The name “Dirty Heads” came out of that world. Growing up in Huntington, they’d hear the phrase “dirty head” tossed around to describe surfer kids with messy hair, sand stuck in everything, and a little too much sun. It wasn’t an insult — it was just who they were.

So when it came time to name the band, Watson and Duddy leaned into it. They weren’t trying to be polished or glamorous. They were those dirty-headed beach kids, making music on their own terms.

Why It Works

The name fits perfectly: it’s casual, a little grimy, and unapologetically SoCal. Just like their sound. Dirty Heads aren’t about overthinking — they’re about good vibes, storytelling, and that easy mix of reggae and hip-hop that makes you feel like you’re on vacation, even when you’re stuck in traffic.

Final Thought

So yeah — Dirty Heads got their name from exactly what they were: messy-haired surfer kids with sand in their sneakers and music pouring out of them. They took that identity and turned it into a global sound.

The name might sound simple, but like their music, it sticks.