Machine Gun Kelly has shared the gruesome side effects of his blackout body tattoo, which covers his chest and arms in solid black ink. The American rapper, whose real name is Colson Baker, told Billboard Canada that after the first week, he became seriously ill.
"After the first week, we hit my lymph nodes around my armpits and shoulders, and I got really sick. My skin was turning yellow, I wasn't able to sleep. I stopped being able to move certain parts of my upper body," he said.
Despite his ordeal, MGK said his illness left him "extremely inspired" by what he "had to overcome." He first unveiled the tattoo in February 2024, telling fans it was done "for spiritual purposes only." The design leaves some areas uncovered to form a cross on his chest.
The idea came after he worked on a mixtape with Wiz Khalifa, called Blog Era Boyz, released last month. He said he felt he needed "a change that wasn't just a sound wave" and that his old tattoos made him see "death and drugs" all over his body, reflecting his battle with bipolar disorder.
His tattoo artist, Roxx, told TMZ that MGK underwent a "spiritual consultation" before the procedure and described him as the "toughest client" she'd ever had. Shortly after getting the tattoo, MGK welcomed his daughter Saga with ex-fiancée Megan Fox.
