Rappers often get "17" tattoos because of the late artist XXXTentacion, who popularized it to represent his painful adolescence, emotional struggles, and formative experiences at that age, with his debut album also named 17; other artists, like YNW Melly, have adopted it for similar personal or stylistic reasons, linking to themes of hardship and self-expression in their music.
The number “17” had a profound meaning for XXXTentacion. It marked an age when he experienced some of his life's most pivotal moments, including deep emotional struggles. His debut album was titled 17, reinforcing the significance of this number in his journey.
XXXTentacion's Tattoos: A Life Story Etched in Ink
XXXTentacion was open about his battles with depression, and this tattoo stood as a bold declaration of that pain. Another powerful tattoo was the number “17” inked on his forehead.
The phrase "17 Black" is written below the left side of his collarbone. Tattoo artist Kevin Paul told GQ that Styles got the ink because he "lost money gambling." "I think it was in Australia – and he lost it on 17 black," Paul said. "This was in the early days, the first few years of One Direction."
He adopted the stage name "Tekashi69"; "Tekashi" references Japanese anime, which he was a fan of, while "69" references both the 69 sex position and the yin-yang symbol.
For women, a 444 tattoo symbolizes divine guidance, protection, stability, and inner strength, often linked to angels or spiritual awakening, representing a solid foundation, loyalty, and being on the right path, with delicate designs preferred for personal meaning. It's a popular spiritual marker for personal growth, manifested through hard work, determination, and trust in life's journey, but it's important to note a potential (though less common) far-right interpretation in some contexts.
Red ink is still the most likely color to cause skin problems. Why? Red tattoo inks are the most likely to cause health complications, including rashes and pseudolymphomas, both symptoms of an allergic reaction.
A 777 tattoo symbolizes luck, spiritual awakening, and divine guidance, representing perfection, inner wisdom, and alignment with one's higher purpose, often seen as an "angel number" for positive change, personal growth, and good fortune in numerology and spirituality. It signifies trusting intuition, finding enlightenment, and pursuing passionate paths, appearing in various styles from minimalist numbers to designs with spiritual symbols.
Davidson has been candid about the gradual removal of his 200 tattoos. In an April feature with Variety, the comedian revealed that focusing on his mental health after several stints in rehab led him to the removal of his body ink, as the tattoos remind him of a “sad person that was very unsure.”
There's no single "number 1 rapper of all time" as it's subjective, but Jay-Z is frequently cited as the greatest by publications like Billboard/Vibe and Forbes, often leading lists, while artists like Kendrick Lamar, Nas, Tupac Shakur, The Notorious B.I.G., and Eminem consistently rank in the top tier across various critics' and fan polls. Factors like lyricism, impact, commercial success, and influence shape these rankings, with Jay-Z often recognized for longevity, business acumen, and lyrical skill, and others praised for storytelling (Tupac, Nas), technical prowess (Eminem, Kendrick), or cultural significance (Biggie).
A $500 tattoo is typically a medium-sized piece, often around palm-sized or slightly larger (roughly 4-6 inches), but the actual size heavily depends on the artist's hourly rate (usually $100-$200/hour), design complexity, color, and location, allowing for 2-5 hours of work, potentially resulting in a detailed forearm piece or a smaller chest/back design, rather than a full sleeve.
A "2%" tattoo often symbolizes affiliation with the Three Percenters (III%) movement, representing a belief in armed resistance against perceived government overreach, but it can also be misconstrued or linked to extremist ideologies, with some associating it with the infamous SS blood group tattoos for identification, though the original intent is political and militia-based.
Regarding why he got the blackout tattoo, mgk said: "I kinda keep the reasoning internal just cause I don't wanna let too many people into my body energetically as far as what's going on with it. But it definitely had to do with a cleanse. I'm evolutionary.
A three dots tattoo often means "Mi Vida Loca" (my crazy life) symbolizing a rebellious, resilient life, especially in gang or prison culture, placed in a triangle near the eye or hand. However, it also holds spiritual meanings like the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) or stages of life (life, death, reincarnation) if in a vertical line, or past, present, future if horizontal (ellipsis).
Religious tattoos
A lot of people get religious symbols like “Om”, “Cross” and “Swastika” tattooed. A lot of tattoo artists believe that they may cause negative mental and physical effects if they are not done correctly.
In December 2020, the European Union banned the use of many of the chemicals used to make tattoo inks. Two of those colors were Blue 15:3 and Green 7.
The Pain Factor: White ink tattoos are often described as being more painful than tattoos done with other colours.
Gen Z is regretting tattoos due to impulsive decisions driven by social media trends (like fine-line or patchwork styles), getting inked during emotional highs or lows, a lack of personal meaning, and changing aesthetics (e.g., moving from WFH casual to needing to cover up for office jobs). The visibility of this regret on platforms like TikTok, combined with evolving personal identities and the desire to fit new trends, highlights a growing disillusionment with tattoos that once felt significant but now feel dated or embarrassing.
No, $200 an hour is generally not considered a lot for a professional, experienced tattoo artist in 2025-2026, often falling into the standard or even lower-mid range, especially in major cities or for specialized styles like realism or fine-line work, though rates vary significantly by location, artist demand, and expertise. While some talented artists charge around $100-$150/hour, high-demand or highly specialized artists can easily charge $250-$300+ per hour.
Today they're common everywhere from Maori communities in New Zealand to office parks in Ohio. But in the ancient Middle East, the writers of the Hebrew Bible forbade tattooing. Per Leviticus 19:28, “You shall not make gashes in your flesh for the dead, or incise any marks on yourselves.”
An 8 ball cherry tattoo combines symbols of fate, risk, and temptation, representing the thrill of life's unpredictable game, where cherries signify sweetness, youth, and pleasure, and the 8 ball embodies chance, mystery, and the unknown, suggesting embracing opportunities and enjoying life's playful, risky moments. It's a nod to living in the moment, balancing luck with choice, and sometimes hints at new experiences or even drug culture, depending on context, though often it's just a cool design.
Three lines on the chin often symbolize a significant life passage, cultural identity, and strength, particularly in Indigenous cultures like the Hän Gwich'in where it marks a rite of passage for women, representing tribal belonging, warrior spirit, or healing, with designs specific to family and lineage. These markings, such as Yidįįłtoo, serve as powerful reclamation of tradition, connecting wearers to ancestors, community, and personal achievements despite historical suppression.
The tattoo on Hutch's wrist, a Seven of Spades and a Two of Diamonds, is statistically the worst possible starting hand you can be dealt in Texas Hold 'Em, since they are the lowest two cards that cannot make a straight (there are four cards between 2 and 7), and both of them are off-suit.