To be honest, I don’t think having tattoos is a bad thing at all. Personally, I don’t have anything against tattoos. In fact, I’ve always seen them as a form of self-expression, art, and storytelling. A lot of people use tattoos to represent something meaningful to them—whether it's a memory, a loved one, a personal belief, or something that simply speaks to their identity. And I totally respect that.
That said, I do feel like it becomes a bit of a problem when people start covering every part of their body with tattoos. I mean, moderation is important in everything, right? When it gets to the point where someone has tattoos all over their face, neck, chest, arms, legs, and even parts of their body that are rarely seen, it can feel overwhelming—not just to look at, but also in the way it affects how others perceive them.
Let me give an example. There’s this Nigerian musician we all know—Asake. After he left Nigeria and went to the U.S., it seemed like he went through a major transformation. One of the biggest changes people noticed was that he started getting a lot of tattoos. And I’m not just talking about a few here and there; he literally covered almost every inch of his body in ink, including his face. Because of this, he’s been receiving a lot of criticism online. People say he looks very different now, and to be honest, I agree.
When I saw his recent photos, I barely recognized him. It’s like the tattoos took away a part of the image we were used to. To me, he doesn’t look like the Asake I once admired. His appearance changed so much that it honestly made him look strange—some might even say ugly. I know that sounds harsh, but that’s just my opinion, and I know I’m not alone in thinking that. Maybe in America, it’s more common to see celebrities like that—tattooed from head to toe—but in Nigeria. We still see things a bit differently. Our culture doesn’t exactly embrace extreme body modifications, especially facial tattoos.
Still, I wouldn’t mind having tattoos someday. But for me, it would be something sublte and meaningful—maybe a symbol of my roots, a tribute to someone I love, or a phrase that keeps me going during tough times. I see it as a personal design, a quiet way of expressing myself, not necessarily something for the whole world to judge. I think tattoos can be beautiful when they’re done tastefully and with intention. It’s all about balance, really.
At the end of the day, it’s a personal choice. Some people love it, others hate it. But if you ask me, having a few tattoos with meaning is okay. It’s when it becomes excessive and completely transforms someone’s appearance that I start to question it.
Thanks for reading.