Kendrick Lamar stands as a monumental figure in contemporary hip-hop, celebrated for his profound lyricism and groundbreaking music. From his debut album onward, he has garnered critical acclaim, numerous Grammy Awards, and the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for Music in 2018, a historic win for a non-classical and non-jazz artist. While his musical artistry is widely recognized, his journey with tattoos offers another layer of insight into his personal expression.
Initially, Kendrick Lamar’s tattoo presence was relatively subtle. For a long period, his most prominent piece was the phrase “Hustle Like You Broke,” accompanied by a money bag symbol, inked on his right forearm. This tattoo spoke to themes of ambition and maintaining a driven mindset regardless of success, resonating with many who admired his grounded persona.
Kendrick Lamar's "DAMN." album cover tattooed
However, in a significant shift in 2019, Lamar opted for a dramatic transformation of his forearm tattoo. He sought out Brazilian tattoo artist Davi Escobar, based in Los Angeles, to undertake a substantial blackwork cover-up. This decision marked a departure from his earlier, more straightforward tattoo and signaled a potential evolution in his aesthetic preferences. The session with Escobar was intensive, spanning 16 hours across two days. The result is a striking abstract blackwork design that replaced the “Hustle Like You Broke” script. This new tattoo evokes the bold patterns found in tribal art, reminiscent of Polynesian and Native American motifs, suggesting a deeper, more primal artistic direction.
Kendrick Lamar's "DAMN." album cover tattooed
Kendrick Lamar’s tattoo evolution, from his initial “Hustle Like You Broke” piece to the expansive blackwork cover-up, reflects a journey of personal and artistic growth. While details about further tattoos remain less publicized, these two prominent examples offer a glimpse into how even through body art, Kendrick Lamar continues to evolve and express himself.
