Kobe Bryant tattoo requests soar as fans throng parlors to pay tribute to basketball legend after his death
Tattoo artists across the United States have been mastering their Kobe Bryant portraits as LA Lakers fans line up to have their idol tattooed on them.
A studio shared that they were booked up with Bryant tattoo requests until August with people coming from as far as Australia to get their tattoos, according to LA Times. Southern California studios have become swamped with memorial works, which vary from super-intricate designs to quick classics like Bryant's jersey number, his shoe logo and his signature, as is seen on Twitter.
Kobe Bryant and eight others, including his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, died in a tragic helicopter crash that took place on Sunday, January 26. LeBron James and Anthony Davis also got tattoos as a tribute to the NBA star. LeBron's tattoo features a black mamba, Bryant's 24 and 8 numbers, two roses, and also the phrase, "Mamba 4 Life" which he shared under the title of "My Brother".
Davis has a tattoo that features a black mamba circled around Bryant's famous brand logo. Shaquille O'Neal's son, Shareef, also joined the trend and paid tribute to Bryant with a tattoo to honor him and Gianna. According to one tattoo parlor, the business has tripled. Another artist revealed that he has been booked for the year.
Bryant himself had three tattoos: a three-part homage to his wife Vanessa, with a butterfly crown, angel wings, Psalm XXVII and her name inked on his right shoulder and bicep. He also has the names of three of his four daughters on his forearm.
A 33-year-old longtime Lakers fan, Anthony Lozano spoke about his motivation to get the tattoo. He shared, "It’s a token of respect for how he affected me and so many other people. It’s an honor to put this on my body."
Several artists in Los Angeles have kept their tattoo prices super low in spite of the soaring demand. A few have only charged on material costs, all in honor of their idol and hero, Kobe Bryant.