At just 25, South Florida-based artist Gobe is carving out a unique identity that blends tattoo artistry with emotional, genre-crossing music. With a growing discography and a tattooing career that started in a high school garage, Gobe (pronounced go-bee) is quickly becoming a creative force in both ink and sound.
Raised on a passion for self-expression, Gobe’s journey into tattooing began in his senior year of high school. Armed with a tattoo machine ordered from Amazon and a reputation as the best artist in his grade, he took on four classmates as his first clients — in a garage, without gloves, and with only YouTube tutorials as guidance.
“The first tattoo I ever gave was a 100 emoji symbol,” he recalled. “I watched a YouTube video and then did those tattoos with no gloves seven years ago.”
That first experience lit a fire in him. He dove deeper into the craft, absorbing knowledge from online tutorials and honing his skills by offering free tattoos. Eventually, his dedication paid off with a position at his first tattoo shop — the beginning of a professional journey that continues to evolve.
Now working out of a shop with fellow artist Andressa, Gobe is currently tattooing a self-designed cathedral across his stomach — a challenging and painful process he’s tackling piece by piece. “The stomach is definitely one of the worst places,” he said.
When it comes to the more outrageous sides of the job, Gobe doesn’t shy away from stories. “One time, a walk-in wanted to cover up his ex-girlfriend’s name — pretty big, on the side of his neck. Then he asked to get his new girlfriend’s name underneath, just as big. My question was, did he not learn the first time?”
Despite his openness to most challenges, Gobe does have limits. “I would never tattoo anyone’s private parts. It’s gross. I’d have to be paid at least $20,000 to do that.”
As both a tattoo artist and musician, Gobe is also tuned into the technical evolution of tattooing. “Machines, aftercare, numbing cream, and needles have come a long way,” he explained. “The ‘Fine Line’ style wouldn’t exist ten years ago. It’s only possible because of specialized machines and ultra-fine needles. And with spray-on SecondSkin, healing is easier than ever — no more saran wrap and lotion routines.”
Parallel to his tattooing career, Gobe is steadily building a name in music. With several singles already released, his latest track, “Under My Skin,” dropped recently, and his next release, “Sun Leaves Scars,” is set for May 23. His music leans into emotional storytelling and aims to be a source of connection and comfort.
“At the core of what I do is the desire to make people feel seen and heard,” Gobe said. “Even if I can just put a smile on someone’s face for a few seconds — that’s what it’s all about.”
With tattoos as his canvas and music as his megaphone, Gobe is proving that true artists don’t limit themselves — they just keep creating.
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