Tattoo Tales #7: Termanology
Legends never dies. They’re permanently engrained in human history – Father Time’s tattoos. Body art often serves as a benchmark in a person’s life, be it remembering lost ones or celebrating new beginnings. This week’s Tattoo Tales commemorates both ends of the lifeline.
Unsigned Hype alumni Termanology has garnered the respect of lyricists across the board since stepping on the scene over a decade ago. Like many Latino hip-hop fans, the Massachusetts native was taken in by the lyrical prowess of fellow emcees Big Pun and Fat Joe; undoubtedly the premier rapping tan-boy tandem of their time. The first Latin rapper to baffle your skull aka Big Pun sadly passed away in 2000 having only just scratched the surface of his stardom. But wordsmiths like Term have carried the torch for Latinos making real hip-hop who hold the heavyset platinum rapper formerly known as Big Moon Dawg as a trailblazer for an entire race of rhyme technicians.
Check out Termanology’s tale below, as he recalls the rationale behind getting inked in memory of Big Pun on one of the biggest days of his life. Lookout for Term’s Hood Politics 7 mixtape arriving April 5th with features from Wais P, Ras Kass, Nitty Scott, MC and more.
– Nate Santos (@MidtownNate)
Termanology:
I got the BIG PUN tattoo on Jan 30th in 2004 at a spot called “Tattoo Fever” in Pelham, New Hampshire. It was my first tat. I’ll always remember the date because my first daughter was born on the same day.
The PUN tat took about 6 hours. 3 for the outline, then I went back in a second time to color it. It was free because the artist was my homie Mike whom I’ve known for years. So I just gave him a nice tip.
I got the tat because at that time I felt like people were really sleeping on PUN. Being Puerto Rican my favorite rappers coming up were Fat Joe & Big Pun so I was just reppin’ for the P.R. cats in HIPHOP. The reaction is always crazy when people see the tat. People actually stop me on the street and ask me to see it.
Tattoo Tales #4: Mr. MFN eXquire
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Check back in next week for more Tattoo Tales and let us know in the comments section below what you think of Termanology’s ink. Who do you want to see on Tattoo Tales? Email me photos of your favorite artist/producer’s tattoos that you’d like to see featured at Nate@TheSource.com
