Inked Mag Staff

May 31st, 2022

50 Tattoos of the Greatest Rappers of All Time

Who's your favorite rapper?

Hip-hop has made a tremendous impact on popular culture. Some might even go as far as to say hip-hop IS popular culture. Musicians began incorporating rapping into their songs during the early 1970s, which is now referred to as old school flows. Rapper Rakim, of the duo Eric B. and Rakim, is largely credited with bringing about the new school flow and is regarded as one of the greatest MCs of all time.

During the 1980s, rap diversified and spread worldwide thanks to NWA, Run DMC, Public Enemy, LL Cool J, Ice-T and Big Daddy Kane. During the 1990s, rap continued to flourish and the decade gave rise to one of the genre’s biggest rivalries—East Coast (Notorious B.I.G) vs. West Coast (2Pac). Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, we saw rap blend with other genres of music, even top 40 pop, with rappers Lil Wayne, 50 Cent, Kanye West, Nicki Minaj and Jay-Z. And today, rap is more celebrated than ever before, thanks to contemporary heavy hitters such as Travis Scott, Kendrick Lamar, Megan Thee Stallion and Lil Nas X.

In honor of the rich and ever evolving history of rap, take a look at 50 tattoos of the greatest rappers of all time. Then let us know your favorite rapper from this list in the comments section on social media.

Eminem

 

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Notorious B.I.G

 

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Jay-Z

 

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A post shared by Iva Chavez (@eevz)

Nas

 

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Lil Wayne

Rakim

 

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2Pac

 

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50 Cent

Snoop Dogg

 

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Ice Cube

 

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Andre 3000

 

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Eazy-E

 

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Tech N9ne

 

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Nicki Minaj

 

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Kanye West

 

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Cardi B

Kendrick Lamar

Lil’ Kim

 

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Big Pun

Immortal Technique

 

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Missy Elliott

 

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Ghostface Killah

 

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Busta Rhymes

Lauryn Hill

 

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A post shared by Stefano Phen (@stefano_phen)

Method Man

 

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GZA

 

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Pimp C

Salt N Pepa

 

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A post shared by Anna Gabrielle (@curlsjrtattoos)

Drake

 

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A post shared by JOSH WILLIAMS (@joshwilliamstattoo)

Rick Ross

 

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A post shared by _schwarzefarbe. (@_schwarzefarbe)

Gucci Mane

 

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A post shared by Adam Aguas (@adamaguastattoos)

DMX

 

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A post shared by Dave Paulo (@davepaulo_tattooartist)

MF Doom

 

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A post shared by SJP (@stephenjpolito)

LL Cool J

 

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A post shared by Andy Cassidy (@mr_cee_tattooz)

Chuck D

 

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Kid Cudi

 

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A post shared by Sai /sigh/ (@saili_ink)

Redman

 

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A post shared by O K A M I T A T T O O (@okamitattoo)

A$AP Rocky

 

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A post shared by HARD X COR€ RUI$ (@hardcore_ruiz)

Travis Scott

Wiz Khalifa

Meek Mill

 

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A post shared by BEN (@ben_tats)

Tyler, the Creator

2 Chainz

 

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Earl Sweatshirt

 

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A post shared by Zach Jennings (@zaq.shaye)

Dr. Dre

Mac Miller

 

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A post shared by Kenny Go (@_kennygo)

The Game

 

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A post shared by ♣️ ♣️ (@jls_tattoo13)

Action Bronson

 

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ScHoolboy Q

Lil Nas X

 

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