Paul Robinson. Most of you know him as Puma from Black Ink Crew. If you followed the VH1 circus back in the day, you remember the tension, the flying chairs, and that distinctive laugh. He wasn't just another tattoo artist; he was the primary foil to Ceaser Emanuel. But honestly, the "feud" that drove ratings for years often overshadowed what was actually happening with his business and his family.
People still search for "Puma from Black Ink" because he represents a specific era of reality TV. It was messy. It was loud. It was New York in a way that feels a little sanitized now.
The 113th Street Reality
Let's be real: the rift between Ceaser and Puma wasn't just for the cameras. They were childhood friends. That's why it cut so deep. When Puma decided to branch out and open Art2Ink on 113th Street, it wasn't just a business move. It was a declaration of independence.
Ceaser saw it as a betrayal. Puma saw it as growth.
The shop on 113th became a character in its own right. It wasn't the polished, corporate-looking studios you see in some of the later seasons or spin-offs. It had a grit to it. Puma was trying to build a brand that wasn't under the shadow of the Black Ink name, but the gravity of the show kept pulling him back into the drama. You probably remember the incident with the chicken. Or the time a brick was thrown through a window. It sounds like a scripted soap opera, but for the people living it, that stress was incredibly high.
Moving Beyond the VH1 Shadow
Puma eventually stepped away, then came back, then stepped away again. It's a cycle we see with reality stars all the time. But his story is actually more about longevity than just being a TV personality.
While many of his former castmates struggled to keep their shops open once the cameras stopped rolling, Puma and his wife, Quani Robinson, focused on the "after." They became a package deal. You can't really talk about Puma without mentioning Quani. She was often the voice of reason—or the one stoking the fire, depending on which episode you're watching—but in real life, they've managed to stay married and build a stable life, which is a rare feat in the reality TV world.
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They moved to Atlanta. Why? Because New York is expensive and the drama was exhausting. In Atlanta, Puma pivoted. He didn't just stick to tattooing. He looked at the broader entertainment landscape.
The Business of Being Puma
If you're looking for Art2Ink today, things have changed. He shifted focus. He realized that his face was his biggest asset. He started leaning into hosting, social media brand deals, and even acting.
- Public Appearances: He’s a staple at tattoo conventions, not always as an artist, but as a personality who brings in crowds.
- Social Media: He’s savvy. He uses his platform to showcase his family, which humanized him to an audience that previously only saw him shouting in a tattoo parlor.
- Production: He’s hinted at working behind the scenes on new projects, moving from the talent side to the executive side.
He’s not just "the guy who fought Ceaser" anymore. He’s a father of two, Tamia and Kai. That changed his trajectory completely. When you have kids watching your every move on national television, the "tough guy" persona starts to feel a bit heavy.
Why the "Black Ink" Brand Still Follows Him
Even in 2026, the association remains. You can't scrub ten years of reality TV history. But there's a nuance here that most blogs miss: Puma was one of the first to realize that the show was a tool, not a career.
He didn't let the "villain" or "underdog" edit define him.
Wait, let's talk about the actual tattooing for a second. Puma’s style was always rooted in the culture of Harlem. It wasn't always about the most intricate hyper-realism you see on Ink Master. It was about the experience. The shop was a hub. People went there for the vibe as much as the ink. When he left that physical space behind, he took the "vibe" with him to his digital platforms.
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The 2024-2025 Transition
Recently, Puma has been more vocal about the mental toll of the industry. The reality TV "curse" is real. He’s spoken about the pressure to perform and how it affects real-world relationships.
He’s basically become an elder statesman of the franchise. While the original Black Ink Crew New York effectively ended its run after various scandals involving other cast members, Puma stayed relatively clean. He navigated the wreckage.
Honestly, it's impressive.
Most people from that era of VH1 disappeared into obscurity or ended up in legal trouble. Puma stayed relevant by being "kinda" normal. He leaned into the girl-dad energy. He showed the boring parts of life—the school runs, the dinners—and it worked. It made him relatable to the fans who grew up alongside him. We aren't 22 anymore, and neither is he.
Facts vs. Rumors
Let's clear some things up.
- Is he still tattooing? Yes, but it's selective. He's not sitting in a shop 40 hours a week taking walk-ins. It's more about private clients and special events.
- Is he still friends with Ceaser? It's complicated. They've had public reconciliations and then periods of silence. It’s a decades-long brotherhood that has been through a literal meat grinder.
- What happened to Art2Ink? The physical storefront on 113th is a memory, but the brand lives on through his personal ventures.
How to Follow the Puma Blueprint
If you’re an artist or a creator looking at Puma’s career, there’s a lesson in diversification. He never put all his eggs in the VH1 basket. He knew the cameras would eventually turn off.
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You’ve got to build something that exists outside of a specific platform. For him, it was his family brand and his personality.
He also understood the power of a "rebrand." He went from the hot-headed young guy in Harlem to a polished media personality in Atlanta. That didn't happen by accident. It was a conscious choice to survive the industry.
Actionable Steps for Personal Branding (The Puma Way)
- Audit your circle. Puma’s longevity is partly due to Quani. Having a partner who is also your business partner can be volatile, but if it works, it’s a fortress.
- Don't fear the pivot. If your original business (like a physical tattoo shop) becomes a burden, close it. Shift to what’s working.
- Own your narrative. Puma uses Instagram and TikTok to tell his story so he doesn't have to rely on a producer’s edit.
- Invest in "After-TV" assets. Whether it's real estate or digital products, have something that earns while you sleep.
Puma from Black Ink is a survivor of the mid-2010s reality boom. He didn't just "stay famous"; he transitioned into a sustainable life. That's the real win. He’s still Paul Robinson from Harlem, just with a much bigger perspective and a lot less interest in throwing chairs.
Keep an eye on his production credits in the next year. He's clearly moving toward the director's chair, using the years of "being watched" to inform how he watches others. It's a full-circle moment that most people in his position never get to see.
Next Steps for Fans and Creators
To truly understand the transition Puma made, look at his shift in content from 2018 to now. Notice the lack of conflict and the increase in lifestyle branding. If you are building a brand in a "noisy" industry, the best way to stand out is eventually to become the quietest, most stable person in the room. This shift is what allowed him to maintain his sponsorships when the show’s reputation started to dip. Focus on building a "Legacy Brand" rather than a "Moment Brand."