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Inked Mag Staff

July 15th, 2020

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Sing the Blues with 15 Beautiful Billie Holiday Tattoos

Take a look back at one of the most iconic jazz musicians of all time

During the 1920s, the jazz age began in America and it continued to grow in popularity through the 1930s and 1940s. It was during this time that Billie Holiday began her career and took the music world by storm. Holiday was born in Philadelphia to unwed teenage parents and spent most of her childhood in Baltimore, living with her Aunt’s mother in law. In 1928, Holiday’s mother moved to Harlem and one year later, the then 13-year-old joined her.

As a 13-years-old, Holiday began performing in nightclubs in Harlem and once she turned 18, she was offered a recording contract with Brunswick Records from producer John Hammond. Throughout the 1930s, Holiday made a name for herself in the jazz scene and collaborated with many popular musicians, including pianist Teddy Wilson, saxophonist Lester Young and band leader Artie Shaw.

In 1939, Holiday recorded the song “Strange Fruit,” which was written by Abel Meeropol about a lynching. For the time, this song made a huge statement and became her biggest selling record. Her other popular songs include 1936’s “The Way You Look Tonight,” 1937’s “Carelessly,” and 1938’s “I’m Gonna Lock My Heart.”

In honor of Holiday’s impressive legacy, we’re celebrating her by sharing some of our favorite tattoos by world renowned artists. These artists capture Holiday’s essence and show that even today, she’s still a celebrated musician. Take a peek at the tattoos in the gallery below, then let us know your thoughts on this story in the comment section on social media.

View this post on Instagram

Got to do this stylized portrait of Billie Holiday tonight on Jasmine! Thanks so much you were such a sweetheart! #tat #tattoo #tattoos #billieholiday #billieholidaytattoo #tattoosbyjaclyn

A post shared by Jackie Huertas (@tattoosbyjaclyn) on May 29, 2016 at 5:23pm PDT

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#repost of the beautiful Billie Holiday tattoo that @jessewilliamstattoo did on me yesterday. I’m so in love with it! Thank you so much Jesse. #tattoo #tattoos #billieholiday #billieholidaytattoo #jazz #jazzsinger #girlswithtattoos #sketchtattoo #illustrativetattoo #jazzmusic

A post shared by Mercedes Courtoreille (@map_ofyourhead) on Aug 4, 2017 at 11:08am PDT

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Billie Holiday for lovely Atisha #portrait #portraittattoo #billieholidaytattoo #music #legend #gibsonsbc #sunshinecoastbc #vancouvertattoo #vanisletattoo

A post shared by Michelle Chrystal Warawa (@michellewarawatattoos) on Nov 24, 2017 at 7:34pm PST

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LIMITED AVAILABILITY FOR MARCH DM ME FOR APPOINTMENT… MADE AT @ironflagtattoo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #Tattoo #tattooing #magicmoonusa #oldgoldsmallbatch #waverlyink #eternalink #envyneedles #kingpintattoosupply #tatsoul #traditionaltattoo #americantraditional #realtraditional #tradworkers #tradworkerssubmission #traditionaltattooss #americanatattoos #ironflagtattoo #dankubinrotary #shagrotary #whiterosetattoosupply #billieholidayportrait #billieholidaytattoo

A post shared by Tim Hughes *SSC* (@bugspit) on Mar 1, 2018 at 3:03pm PST

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Billie Holiday pra Flavinha querida. Esse sorrisão em forma de mulher Obrigada por confiar em mim pra fazer essa, Flavinha. . . . #tattoo #blackwork #jazz #billieholiday #jazztattoo #billieholidaytattoo #woman

A post shared by Camomila (@camomilaink) on May 13, 2019 at 5:06pm PDT

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Billie Holiday by @90sdolphintattoo #billieholidaytattoo #protraittattoo #femaletattooartist #westlondon #thebluetattoolondon #hammersmith

A post shared by The Blue Tattoo (@thebluetattoolondon) on Apr 28, 2018 at 8:02am PDT

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This brilliant Billie Holiday portrait was done by @richielucero1 on the lovely @awa_l / Nina Simone was done by @bobtyrrell #richielucero #blackcattattoohawaii #h2oceanaftercare #h2oceanloyalty #h2oceanproteam #billieholidaytattoo #portraittattoo #blackandgrey #honolulutattoo #oahutattoo #hawaiitattoo

A post shared by Black Cat Tattoo Honolulu (@black_cat_tattoo_hawaii) on Jul 11, 2017 at 6:27pm PDT

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