The WAVE: JUNE '17

What tattoo artists, if any, do you draw inspiration from?
Horioshi III, Filip Lue, Chris Garner, Mr. Cartoon, but there are so
many great artist out there that have great styles that I enjoy looking at
their work, and with IG out it makes it so much easier nowadays.
You have tattooed some of the greats in hip hop. Can you tell us who
some of them are and some of the tattoos that we might recognize?
I have tattoed Cypress Hill, Tupac, Fat Joe, Lord Jamal of Brand Nubian,
Dead Prez, Tech from Smiff & Wesson and so many more. I would say
Tupac, that quote, “Only God can Judge Me”.
How did you get involved with doing tattoos for hip hop artists?
That came about from me being the hip hop club scene. I went to alot
of clubs back in the days like Roxy, Danceteria, Red Zone, The Tunnel,
Payday, etc. I was already tattooing so I was able to tap into that scene.
From the 80’s and 90’s. The Golden Era of Hip Hop.
For a first timer, where should they get a tattoo if they do not like a lot
of pain?
I would tell them the bicep is the least painful.
Words of advice for anyone that wants to become a tattoo artist?
First become an apprentice. Learn the ins and outs about tattoo. Building
machines, always study drawing. Tattooing is a craft. Learn what
you are doing and the rest will come.
Where can we get inked by you and see more of your work?
You can check me out at Skintrade Tattoos, NY, 367 W. 35th St., New
York, NY 10001. Ph: 917.532.7751 or 646.848.0144 skintrade68@gmail.
com IG: @skintradenyc
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