Did you know Central Cee, Rick Owens, and David Beckham all get their tattoos off the same guy? Certified Letter Boy in Soho, London. We linked up with Certified Letter Boy, aka Pablo, the fine-line tattoo artist giving tatts to the biggest names in the game rn, to find out what it takes to do his job.
What’s the meaning behind the name Certified Letter Boy? We’re guessing it’s inspired by the Drake lyric?
So, when I first started working with Alex, my creative director (who owns my tattoo studio), he and I sat down and he explained his side of the vision to me. We both decided we needed a name or “nickname” to go by. [Drake’s] Certified Lover Boy album had literally dropped that week and everyone was vibing with it. I love tattooing anything with letters and am a keen graffiti artist so we were bouncing around names and listening to that album and we both landed on “Certified Letter Boy.” It’s actually supposed to be a bit of a bootleg and not to be taken seriously. It just sounded fun at the time and we never knew how big it would get as an idea.
On that subject: Drake or Kendrick?
Kendrick, 100%. A huge amount of respect for what Drake and his team have achieved but Kendrick is unreal.
Can you share something about being a tattoo artist that people might not know?
It’s hella long hours and if people don’t turn up you don’t get paid.
How did you get into tattooing celebrities and athletes?
Once I started putting my more delicate work out there my network grew organically and people started reaching out.
Who’s the most GOATed person that you’ve tattooed in your career?
Tricky one. Right now it’s either David Beckham or Rick Owens I would say.
Who’s someone you’ve tattooed that really couldn’t handle the pain?
Fine line tattoos are very gentle nowadays so a lot of people handle it just fine. What I will say is that shredded, jacked up fellas are always the biggest moaners. Women are made of steel, they can handle anything - honestly it’s insane!
What was the inspiration behind the tattoo you gave Central Cee?
The can’t rush greatness script is the name of his new album and the Toyota symbol is all about his line “from a Yaris to a Urus,” showing how far he’s come.
How did Rick Owens’ “so cunt” tattoo come about? Was this an idea he brought to you? What’s the story behind it?
Yeah, we’re close with Rick and Tyrone - they’re such legends. We discussed the idea first in Paris and then in Venice it was time! Rick designed the socks that went into his collection and so he wanted to immortalise that with a tattoo!
Do you think there is a correlation between fashion and tattoos?
For sure. That’s been going on for years in LA and New York and now the U.K. is starting to catch up and realise there’s lots of synergies between the two worlds. A lot of very famous streetwear brands, in particular, have taken from tattoo culture for decades. Some intentionally and others without realising. “Gangster lettering” and lots of other graffiti styles and graphic designs have been plastered all over massive brands apparel for a long time now.
Lastly, if you could give a tattoo to anyone who would it be, and what would you give them?
Mr Cartoon is one of the OG’s of the tattoo world. So I think him, Dr Woo or Mark Mahoney would be right up there. They’re all artists that paved the way for what the tattoo artists today benefit from.
Featured image via Certified Letter Boy©
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