Social media has been buzzing ever since Asake, the Grammy Award-nominated artist, revealed his new face tattoos. The ‘Terminator’ crooner showed off his bold new look in an Instagram post, which featured dollar signs and the word “Believe” among other designs. While reactions have been mixed, one thing is clear: Asake is making a statement.
However, Asake is not the first Nigerian artist to embrace facial tattoos
Over the years, several Nigerian celebrities have adopted this bold trend, using their ink to make personal statements or add to their unique styles.
Let’s dive into five Nigerian artists who are rocking face tattoos and turning heads with their daring looks!
1. Olamide – The Pioneer of Facial Ink
Olamide is a name that’s synonymous with Afrobeat culture, and his influence goes far beyond his music. One of the early adopters of the face tattoo trend in the Nigerian music scene, Olamide showed off his facial ink in February 2019 while performing a dance to his hit single “Woske” on Instagram. Known for his versatile Yoruba and English lyrics, Olamide’s tattoos complement his street-smart, unapologetic style.
For Olamide, his tattoos have become a powerful extension of his personality. The face tattoos, much like his music, are bold and unafraid to challenge norms. Olamide’s decision to get facial tattoos has only added to his larger-than-life persona, making him one of the most recognizable faces in African music. His ink isn’t just a fashion statement—it’s a reflection of his journey and his unapologetic approach to life and music.
2. Small Doctor – From Street-Hop to Face Ink
Small Doctor, the Nigerian Fuji and Afro-pop artist, has been a big influence in the street-hop music scene. Known for his popular hit “Penalty,” Small Doctor made headlines when he showcased his face tattoo, which added to his already larger-than-life image. His music is deeply rooted in the streets, and his face tattoo seemed to reflect his strong connection to the culture he represents.
Small Doctor’s face tattoo came at a time when he was gaining more recognition and solidifying his place in the Nigerian music scene. His tattoos reflect his growth as an artist and his willingness to express himself in unconventional ways. The face ink helped reinforce the “street” persona that he’s known for, giving fans another reason to connect with him on a deeper level. With Small Doctor, the tattoo was more than just a trend—it was a symbol of the personal journey he’s been on, both as a musician and as an individual.
3. DJ Sose – The Iconic DJ with Unique Tattoos
Thomas Amar-Aigbe, better known as DJ Sose, is one of Nigeria’s most unique and instantly recognizable disc jockeys. His signature look, which includes his distinct facial tattoos, has become an iconic part of his image. DJ Sose’s tattoos are instantly recognizable, and they’ve become almost as famous as his skills on the turntables.
But DJ Sose didn’t always sport his tattoos. In a shocking twist, he removed his tattoos during his traditional marriage but had them reapplied during his white wedding. This decision left many fans and the media buzzing about his tattoos and what they represented. DJ Sose’s commitment to his facial ink speaks volumes about his personal identity and how much his tattoos have come to define him. For DJ Sose, his tattoos represent much more than just a style choice—they’re a part of who he is and his evolution as an artist.
4. Portable – The “Zazu” Star with a Tattoo Journey
Portable, the controversial singer and rapper behind the hit song “Zazu,” has become known for his bold persona and even bolder tattoos. Originally, Portable had just an ‘SOS’ tattoo on his chin, which matched his street-inspired, larger-than-life image. However, in a recent social media video, Portable revealed he was getting even more tattoos, showing the painful process as he added to his facial ink while in Cyprus.
The video quickly went viral, and fans couldn’t help but comment on Portable’s boldness and the meaning behind his growing collection of tattoos. Portable is known for his unapologetic personality, and his tattoos seem to symbolize this fearlessness. As his career continues to rise, his tattoos are becoming a part of his ever-evolving image—one that is tough, raw, and true to his roots.
5. Asake – A Bold New Look
Grammy Award-nominated artist Asake, known for his massive hits like “Terminator,” has recently shocked fans with his fresh new look. In an Instagram post, the artist debuted his face tattoos, which included dollar signs and the word “Believe.” His followers quickly took to social media to react, with some loving the boldness of the design, while others were a little more critical.
For Asake, this is a chance to elevate his personal image and express a deeper side of himself. His music already features themes of ambition and belief, so it’s no surprise that the word “Believe” is etched on his face. It’s clear that Asake isn’t just an artist with a unique sound—he’s an artist with a distinct identity. Fans are eager to see how this new look will influence his future releases and public persona. With his increasing global popularity, this new tattoo is another way Asake is solidifying his position as a trendsetter in the African music industry.
Summarily, These five Nigerian artists have embraced face tattoos as more than just a trend—they’ve turned them into powerful forms of self-expression. Whether it’s Olamide’s blend of street credibility and style, DJ Sose’s iconic and unique look, or Asake’s bold “Believe” tattoo, these artists are using their ink to say something about who they are and where they’re going.
The rise of face tattoos in Nigerian music reflects an increasing trend of artists using their image as a canvas for deeper personal meaning. These tattoos aren’t just about following trends—they are about asserting individuality, making bold statements, and expressing parts of their identity that words alone might not capture. As we move into 2025, it’s likely we’ll see more artists taking the leap and following in the footsteps of these trailblazers, adding their own unique mark on the world—literally!
