Colson Baker, the guy you probably know as Machine Gun Kelly, has never been a "less is more" kind of person. For years, his skin was a chaotic, colorful map of his life—punk rock symbols, scribbled lyrics, and personal landmarks. Then, he decided to paint over the whole thing with heavy, opaque black ink.
The machine gun kelly black tattoo isn't just a style choice. It’s a total overhaul. When he first debuted the blackout look on Instagram in early 2024, the internet basically lost its collective mind. People thought it was a mental health crisis or maybe just a cry for attention. Honestly, it’s way more complicated than that.
The ink covers his shoulders, chest, and arms, leaving a massive cross shape across his torso where his original tattoos still peek through. It’s intense. It’s heavy. And according to MGK, it was "for spiritual purposes only."
Why MGK Chose a Blackout Tattoo
Most people get tattoos to remember things. MGK used this one to forget. Or, more accurately, to evolve. He described the process as a way to "death-birth" a new version of himself. It’s a classic trope in the rock world—burning down the old house to build something new—but doing it with needles and liters of black ink is a pretty permanent way to handle a mid-life identity shift.
The machine gun kelly black tattoo was handled by the tattoo artist Roxx, a specialist in blackout work based in Los Angeles. Roxx isn't some shop-around-the-corner artist; she is the go-to person for this specific, grueling style. She told Rolling Stone that MGK was one of the toughest clients she’s ever had. We’re talking about forty-four individual sessions. Think about that for a second. That is hundreds of hours of a needle packing solid black pigment into skin that was already scarred and inked.
Most celebrities fold after a few hours of work on their ribs or chest. MGK apparently sat through "marathon" sessions that lasted up to seven or eight hours at a time. It’s a physical endurance test. Some fans have speculated that the physical pain was the point—a kind of penance for his past or a way to ground himself during a tumultuous period in his relationship with Megan Fox.
The Spiritual Connection
He wasn't just trying to look "edgy." In his own words, he felt his old tattoos were too loud. They represented a version of "Machine Gun Kelly" that he didn't recognize anymore. The chaos of his early twenties—the feuds, the drug-heavy lyrics, the "Wild Boy" persona—was literally written all over him.
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By blacking it out, he created a blank canvas, even if that canvas is now dark. It’s a literal manifestation of "turning off the lights" on his past.
Interestingly, he left certain parts untouched. The cross on his chest acts as a window. It shows that while the past is covered, it’s not entirely gone. It’s still there under the surface, providing the structure for whatever he becomes next. This kind of "blackout" work has roots in traditional tattooing, but in the modern celebrity context, it’s often seen as a radical act of reclamation.
The Physical Toll of Getting the Machine Gun Kelly Black Tattoo
Let's talk about the biological reality of this. Getting a blackout tattoo isn't like getting a cute little butterfly on your ankle. It’s trauma to the body.
When you pack that much ink into the dermis, your lymphatic system goes into overdrive. Your body treats the ink as a foreign invader. Many people who get large-scale blackout work report "tattoo flu," where the body spikes a fever while trying to process the massive amounts of pigment. MGK mentioned how grueling the recovery was. He had to wear specialized compression sleeves and keep the skin intensely hydrated to prevent cracking or scarring.
- The Pain Scale: Most artists rank the sternum and the tops of the shoulders as a 9/10. He did both.
- Ink Volume: We are talking about several ounces of high-quality carbon-based ink.
- Healing Time: A tattoo of this scale takes months to fully settle into the skin. If you look at photos from mid-2024, you can see the ink transitioning from a shiny, "wet" look to a matte finish.
Roxx has mentioned that the "blackout" movement is growing, but it requires a specific mindset. It’s not about the art you can see; it’s about the space you occupy. For MGK, who has spent his entire career being scrutinized for his looks and his antics, disappearing into a silhouette is a power move.
Is This a Trend or a Statement?
Critics have been quick to call this a gimmick. They say it's just another way for him to stay in the headlines during a transition from rap to pop-punk and whatever "genre-less" era he's in now. But if you look at the history of blackout tattoos, they are rarely done for "clout." They are too painful for that.
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Artists like Kat Von D have also gone the blackout route, covering up older, more colorful pieces that no longer represent who they are. There is a psychological weight to it. When you look in the mirror and see a solid block of color instead of a collection of old memories, it changes how you move through the world.
The machine gun kelly black tattoo also serves a practical purpose for his brand. It’s a visual reset. He’s no longer the "blond guy with the tattoos." He’s a silhouette. It makes his silhouette instantly recognizable, even from a distance on a stage. It’s brilliant marketing, even if the primary motivation was personal.
What Experts Say About Blackout Ink
Dermatologists have raised some eyebrows. Covering that much skin makes it nearly impossible to monitor for moles or skin changes. If you’re someone considering following in MGK’s footsteps, that’s the one major downside to keep in mind. You are essentially hiding your skin’s health indicators under a layer of permanent armor.
Also, the "removal" of a blackout tattoo? Basically impossible. While laser technology has come a long way, removing a solid sleeve of black ink would take years and cost tens of thousands of dollars. MGK is committed. There’s no going back from this.
The Evolution of the MGK Aesthetic
Looking back at 2012 MGK, he was a skinny kid from Cleveland with a few "Est. 19XX" tattoos. By 2020, he was covered in red, blue, and black ink, reflecting his Tickets to My Downfall era.
Now? He’s minimalist in the most maximalist way possible.
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The black ink complements his newer, more avant-garde fashion choices. He’s leaning into a "dark prince" vibe that fits his recent musical output. It’s less about rebellion against society now and more about a rebellion against his own former self. It’s self-destruction as a form of art.
If you’re thinking about getting your own version of the machine gun kelly black tattoo, don't just jump into it because it looks cool on a 6'4" rockstar. Think about the "why."
Steps to Take Before Getting a Blackout Tattoo
First, find an artist who actually knows what they’re doing. Blackout work is easy to mess up. If the ink isn't packed evenly, it looks patchy and grey once it heals. You need someone like Roxx who understands skin saturation.
Second, prepare for the "ink shed." Your bedsheets, your clothes, and your shower will be covered in black flakes for weeks. It’s a messy, grueling process.
Third, consider the "blackout" as a psychological commitment. It is a permanent change to your identity. Unlike a small tattoo you can forget is there, a blackout sleeve or chest piece is something you see every time you look down.
MGK’s journey with his ink is far from over. He’s already started adding white ink "highlights" over the black in some areas, creating a layered, 3D effect. It shows that even a "blank" black canvas can be edited.
The machine gun kelly black tattoo isn't just a headline—it's a physical record of a man trying to find a version of himself he can live with. Whether you love it or hate it, you have to respect the sheer willpower it took to sit in that chair for forty-four sessions.
To replicate a look like this safely, you must prioritize a consultation with a licensed dermatologist to map out any existing skin concerns before they are covered. Once the ink is down, your ability to track skin health changes significantly, so getting a "clear" bill of health is the first real step in any blackout journey. After that, vet your artist’s portfolio specifically for healed blackout work to ensure they can achieve the solid, velvet-black finish seen on MGK rather than a scarred or patchy result.