Rapper Young Thug has responded after a fan paid tribute to him with a large tattoo, only to realize that the lyrics inked on his back were misquoted. However, the story behind the tattoo is more personal and meaningful than initially assumed.
The tattoo, which was shared in a now-viral post by a tattoo artist in Madrid, depicts a quote from Thug’s 2016 song “Digits.” The fan, identified as John Nelson, had the phrase “Horses don’t stop, they keep going” tattooed across his back, accompanied by three intricately designed galloping horses. At first glance, the tattoo seemed to be a faithful tribute to the rapper’s lyrics, but it wasn’t long before the artist himself noticed the discrepancy.
Upon discovering the tattoo, Young Thug took to social media to point out the error. In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, Thug corrected the lyrics, clarifying that the line was actually about “hustlers,” not “horses.”
“And that’s why I’m talking with more clarity,” Thug wrote, alongside a message of disbelief, adding, “Dam bro…”
Despite the apparent mistake, Nelson later revealed in an exclusive interview with Rolling Stone that the misquote was entirely intentional. “I intentionally chose the wrong lyrics to match the theme of the tattoo,” Nelson explained. “I’ve wanted a horse piece for a couple of years now, and the lyric misquote was a way for me to tie it all together.”
Nelson, who explained that the tattoo had a deeper emotional significance, shared that it was an homage to a close friend he lost to suicide in 2022. The horses, he said, were inspired by a trip he took to process his grief and find peace. The tattoo was a personal reflection of that journey, symbolizing both the connection to his lost friend and his ongoing emotional healing.
Nelson also spoke about the profound impact Young Thug’s music had on him. “Thug was the first artist that really made me a fan of music,” Nelson said. “Before I started listening to Thug, I didn’t really care that much about music; I didn’t have a favorite artist. Music just wasn’t a part of my life, but now it plays a major role. I credit that to Thug.”
While Young Thug’s fans may have initially thought the rapper was correcting a fan’s mistake, the story behind the tattoo adds a layer of depth to the tribute. For Nelson, the tattoo isn’t just about the lyrics, but about how the music helped him cope with personal loss and rediscover his love for music.
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