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For years, Lil Baby made it clear—he was never getting tatted. But that all changed this week when the Atlanta rap star showed off a set of fresh leg tattoos on Instagram, surprising fans and sparking conversation across social media.
On Monday, July 14, Lil Baby shared a carousel of photos with the caption “Back in that mode,” showing himself in shorts that revealed new ink on both thighs. On his right leg: “’90s.” On his left: “Baby.” He also displayed a bold “CBFW” tattoo running vertically down the side of his lower left leg, first seen in an Instagram post on July 4.
Lil Baby is going viral after fans discovered his first tattoos are on his legs and thighs 👀 pic.twitter.com/2oLLorPwpB
— FearBuck (@FearedBuck) July 16, 2025
The reveal came as a shock to longtime fans who remember the rapper’s firm stance against body ink. Back in a 2020 interview with The New York Times, Lil Baby explained why he had chosen to remain ink-free:
“I always knew I was going to run my money up, and I was going to have to go sit in front of some people to do something with my money. And I didn’t want them to look at me like a dope boy. I had to keep my appearance straight.”
For Lil Baby, it was always about long-term vision—presenting himself as a businessman, not just a rapper or street figure. His clean-cut image was part of a bigger plan.
That’s why fans were skeptical in 2023 when he appeared to be sporting tattoos on his arms. But those turned out to be temporary, worn for a music video shoot.
“These fake tattoos don’t wash off easily,” he told Business Insider at the time. “I just went to the meeting and really didn’t even realize they were still there.”
This time, though, the ink is real—and permanent.
While Lil Baby hasn’t publicly explained what changed his mind, the decision marks a clear evolution in his persona. The man who once avoided tattoos to protect his business image now seems more comfortable blending the lines between rap star and mogul—and doing it on his own terms.
Whether this is the beginning of more ink to come or just a one-time move, one thing is clear: Lil Baby’s image continues to evolve, just like his career.
