From Tupac‘s famous “Thug Life” tattoo on his stomach to Mike Tyson infamous face tattoo more than ever Hip-Hop artists alike are not only expressing themselves with music but through ink. Artist such as Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, 50 Cent, Flo Rida, Birdman, Oschino(Formely of State Property), Plies, Pharrell Williams, The Game, Young Jeezy, Jim Jones, B.G., Tyga, Three6Mafia, Jacki-O, Willy Northpole, Young Buck, Cashis(West Coast artist on Shady Records) to even Kanye West(placing his early beat placements on his arm) have joined in. There are only a hand full of artist that don’t have any tattoos such as Jay-Z and T.I.  as well as Drake to name a few that comes to mind. I recently got together with Model Rio as she began tell me her story behind her  tattoos…….

24: What was the first tattoo you got and how old were you at the time?

Rio: My father came to pick me up from school during lunch on my 16th birthday and actually to me to a Tattoo Shop. The tattoo is located on my upper left arm. It’s two hearts wrapped around vines of a flower and in these two hearts it reads “Daddys Lil Girl”. Which is exactly what I am(smiling). I was very nervous, but I overcame it and adapted.

24: After getting your first tattoo I know a lot of people say that’s where it start’s but not where it ends, so I wanted to know was it like that for you as well? Once you got your first tattoo done you kept going back?

Rio: In the beginning no, especially after the pain I felt(lol). I swore to never get another one again. But I went back on my words when I turned 17 when I got my tummy tattoo. After though a Tattoo Shop didn’t see me until I was 20 and decided I wanted a sleeve done.

24: How many tattoos do you have in total?

Rio: That’s a great question(lol).

24: I know people get tattoos to express themselves in different ways from pain to joy so explain the reason behind a few of your tattoos?

Rio: Around the time I started my sleeve done reality hadn’t settled in yet so I was very free spirited at that time. I was getting stuff such as Stars, Flowers, Hearts, Lady Bugs. Things like that symbolizes “Free Spirit” to me. Also, I breathe music so if you noticed that’s the main theme of my arm. I’ve always had a thing for skulls as well, even though I’m not sure why(lol). So I went on to get two done. One that symbolizes “Muzik Til the Death of Me” and the other is really just me in a way “Girly & Cute” but a bad ass at heart(smiling). I am half Brazilian, so of course I got that tatted on the back of my right arm. Outside of that my eyes are always compared to looking similar like a cat and I just adore leopards so that’s how the tattoo on my shoulder came about. The Naked Lady above my left breast shows my interest in women. An last but not least on the bottom of my left arm it reads “Only GOD Can Judge Me”(because I can surely care less of the things people have to say about me)!

24: What’s the reaction you get from the average person that meets you for the first time and they see your tattoos?

Rio:
People always ask me what are you going to do when your 50 years old
and you have all these tattoos? An my answer is always “I’ll be a 50
year old woman with tattoos”(Lol).

24:
Do you have any tattoos that you regret doing for reasons such as an
ex-boyfriend’s name or something or a tattoo you wish came out a little
better or you made sure to avoid those situations?

Rio:
Oh, yes(lol). I have a few of them actually. Looking back now I think
should have thought about it a little more before getting them done but
hey. It doesn’t stop me from creating something more spectacular from
it. I has got one of my ex-boyfriends name on my back but when I think
about now the trials we went through together it doesn’t make me regret
getting it at all. I look at it as a well written chapter in my life.

24: Who actually does your tattoos and where do you get them done?

Rio: A tattoo artist by the name of Jr started my sleeve. Felix who is located off El Segundo & Avalon out here in LA did my Leopard print tattoo. Divine did my Naked Lady and Lachere from the The Ink Spot has been doing the rest of my work.

24: If you had to choose only two of your tattoos that meant the most too you which would it be and why?

Rio: I would have to be my “Daddys Lil Girl” Tattoo as well as my mothers name. It’s just something I put there for my parents who means the world to me.

24: How much money do you think you have spent so far on your tattoos?

Rio: I really couldn’t really answer that(lol). But if you know how much do tattoos usually run you can figure out the amount.

24: Before we go let the readers know how to keep up to date with everything your doing and where is the best place to check out pics,etc?

Rio: They can request me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thabeautyful1 as well as on Twitter at www.twitter.com/thatgirlRio.