They are more and more to take the step and get tattooed on the face, a practice once limited to a microscopic public but popularized by a new generation of rappers, despite the reluctance of professionals.

They are sometimes only 16 or 17 years old, these young people who push the door of one of the many stalls of the district of East Village in New York. Some have never been tattooed yet but want a facial inscription directly.

"It's become a big trend lately, just because of what they see on TV," says Armando Guevara, at the Andromeda Studio 33 tattoo parlor.

What they see are the heroes of Mumble rap (also called SoundCloud rap or Emo rap), a very popular subgenre with lyrics often focused on psychological disorders and their consequences (drugs, medication, suicide).

Virtually all, from Savage to Post Malone, to Lil Uzi Vert or Tekashi69, have their faces tattooed, breaking with previous generations who tasted this aesthetic.

Shaggy Johnsen, who had a Bugs Bunny head tattooed on his face, January 23, 2019 in New York Photo Credit : AFP | ANGELA WEISS

Shaggy Johnsen, 22, who has had a Bugs Bunny head tattooed on her temple, admits to being influenced by this current. "I'm an artist myself," he says, calling himself a free-style rapper. "The important thing is the way you sell yourself."

Since then, he says that his new tattoo has earned him only positive reactions. "Everyone loves," he says. "I'm going to make others, the next? Maybe Titi or the Tasmanian devil," two other cartoon heroes.

Discrimination

Adam Alonso, he has a more tortured approach to this strong gesture, which he has already made several times.

Model and rapper Adam Alonso, aka "Rex Reid", in New York on January 23, 2019 Photo Credit : AFP | Thomas URBAIN

"I've already been hurt in the past and I do not want it to happen anymore, so I'm building a wall so people in the street do not talk to me," says, enigmatic, this young man, model and rapper , which was tattooed "AGONY" under the right eye, in large letters.

Professionally, "people think that when you get a tattoo on your face, you can not make a living anymore," he says. "But I'm getting there."

Armando Guevara is not against tattoos on his face. He himself has several, including one inspired by traditional pre-Colombian cultures that covers almost a quarter of his face. But he urges caution.

"If you want to do something permanent on your face, think about it," said the forty-year-old of Nicaraguan origin, who drew every morning, for months, the motive he wanted, before moving on to act.

Many young candidates do not realize, according to him, "that this will have a profound impact on their lives ... (...) Many people will discriminate against you, deny you housing or employment."

"Not ready"

Young people in front of Andromeda Tattoo Salon 33, January 23, 2019 in New York Photo Credit : AFP | ANGELA WEISS

"When people see a facial tattoo, they think the person is unconscious, angry, antisocial or anarchist," says Armando Guevara. "I'm a good person, I work hard, but that's not what people see."

"This generation thinks it's easy and quick to get laser removed," he says, "but it costs money and many appointments, and in the end you'll have a scar."

The salon Andromeda does not accept guests under 18, which is also the minimum age in France where takes place from Friday the Mondial du tattoo in Paris.

Those who have the required age and want a "face tattoo" must answer some questions about their background and their motivations. "If we feel that they are not ready, we refuse," explains Armando Guevara.

Some even refuse all teenage demands, such as Fineline Tattoo, which claims to be the oldest brand in New York, where tattooing was officially banned from 1961 to 1997.

Mehai Bakaty, owner and tattoo artist, recalls that the facial tattoo has long been reserved for gangs and, even more, for prisoners who "gave up" life in society.

"It's wondering if young people are not attracted to this for similar reasons," he says. "They have no hope of becoming anything but a cashier" and thus give way to nihilism. "I think that's what these young rappers are trying to say, but it seems completely irresponsible to me."