Source: Prince Williams / Getty
Drake has a new face tattoo and, like with any Drizzy-related fashion statement (y’all remember them weird side buns with the pink hairclips), the new tat has caused social media to explode in responses that range from mocking to compliments to, well, much more mocking.
First, let’s talk about the tattoo, which is small enough that you might miss it right above his eyebrow.
Drake gets a new face tattoo of a Toronto slang term with Arabic roots https://t.co/3Yh0bOWXIA
: @BrentKore pic.twitter.com/MbQuVhtl90
— HipHopDX (@HipHopDX) November 19, 2023
From Hip Hop DX:
On Saturday (November 18), photographer Brent Kore took to his Instagram stories to post a photo of The 6 God’s new tattoo, which reads “miskeen.” The tattoo was over Drake’s right eyebrow.
Eagle-eyed fans noted that the word “miskeen” is a common turn of phrase in Toronto, and comes from the Arabic word مِسْكِين, or miskin. The word derives from the Classical Syriac and means “poor” or “misfortunate.” The Toronto slang “miskeen,” a derivative of that Arabic word, comes from the large Somali community in Toronto (who speak a dialect of Arabic), and means the same thing.
Now, first, there appears to be some dispute as to whether or not “miskeen” is commonly used by people of Arabic descent in Toronto.
The meaning of Drake’s new face tattoo “MISKEEN”
His new face tattoo has multiple meanings. “Miskeen” is originally an Arabic word which means “poor or hopeless.”
People of Toronto also use this word to describe a movement that blends the worlds of fashion, art, and music. pic.twitter.com/kaxjSk7P3Q
— Wiztohfem Og (@wiztohfem) November 20, 2023
Calling Drake’s “miskeen” eyebrow tattoo Toronto slang is as unserious as it is inaccurate.
Amharic to the bone.
— Zeru Fitsum ዘሩ (@ZeruFitsum) November 20, 2023
But, for many, the larger controversy revolves around the “Hotline Bling” artist, or anyone for that matter, representing themselves with a tattoo that means “poor,” “misfortunate” and, by some translations, “hopeless.”
The day after I tweet warning about tattoos..
Drake gets “Miskeen” tatted on his face.
Which means “poor, pitiful, or hopeless”
What a terrible affirmation. That energy is now inked permanently on his skin and coursing through his veins. https://t.co/Gvt54pzBWm pic.twitter.com/07fMB165EC
— DR22 Ω Read Pinned Tweet (@DejaRu22) November 20, 2023
Other responses to Drake’s tat show that some think it’s cute, some think he’s ruining his face, and others think the 37-year-old is venturing into mid-life crisis territory. (And, of course, there are those who just don’t like Drake.) See some of the best in the gallery below.
