MGK Shared Shocking Behind-The-Scenes Footage Of His Blackout Tattoo That Will Make Your Skin Crawl

MGK, formerly known as Machine Gun Kelly, is experiencing a jolting metamorphosis with his body art, and he's showing how it all went down.

Person stands on the event backdrop, wearing a structured black jacket with tattooed arms visible
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Over the years, we've seen the actor/musician transform as each new album phase rolls out, and now we're in his "sad boy" era.

Person in black outfit and sunglasses with chain accessories stands against backdrop with text
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On March 29, MGK and Trippie Redd released genre:sadboy, a collaborative EP alongside a 17-minute documentary. It's a blend of hip-hop and rock, which is the usual sweet spot fans of these artists would recognize.

Two individuals seated at an event, one flashes a peace sign. They are wearing casual, stylish attire including jackets
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MGK's appearance changes with each music era, but this "sad boy" chapter is possibly his most significant transformation. Surprising to many fans, he covered his entire chest, upper back, shoulders, and arms with a blackout tattoo.

Three side-by-side photos of the same person with different hairstyles and fashion styles labeled with the years 2017, 2022, and 2024
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It was such a dramatic change that it appeared unbelievable until he posted a behind-the-scenes video providing a body-tingling glimpse into the steps to cover most of his upper body with the black ink. Roxx, known for their freehand, blackout body art, did the ink work.

Close-up view of a gloved hand performing maintenance work, possibly welding, on a metal surface

He starts by showing his body covered in all his original tattoos with years of accumulated artwork, saying, "Today marks the day that I start the physical change of my body," he said. "We'll see what this turns out to be."

Man with tattoos on torso and arms, standing in a kitchen

After "one session" he shows that only the top and side of one arm is completed, and there's a long way to go.

Person with tattoos wearing a patterned sleeveless top, looking into the camera

Here's what it looks like after he removes the protective plastic wrapped around the fresh tattoo work of the first session.

Person unpacking an item on a table with a patterned cloth, wearing a sleeveless shirt

He covered his chest and nipples.

Hands in gloves shaving hair from a skin area with a medical clipper for a procedure

He covered his collarbone area to his shoulders.

Close-up of a tattoo being inked on skin with existing tattoos, artist's gloved hands shown

He covered the inside of his arms near the pit.

Person getting a tattoo on arm, artist in focus, wearing gloves, ink visible

The close-up visual of seeing how many needles are in the gun (which he claimed in an Instagram story was 44 in total) will make your skin crawl.

A veterinarian is treating an animal with a medical tool

Here's his body after about "seven sessions."

Man in black leather outfit with zipper details

"It's been about two weeks since we started," he said. "This is the most painful shit I ever experienced in my life."

Person in a black printed top with tattoos on arms standing behind a counter

Here's a close-up of the scars formed by the tattoo on his arms.

Instagram: @roxx_____ / Via instagram.com

The tattooing even caused his skin to swell up in certain areas.

Person holding a phone reflects in a mirror, showing a swollen elbow with a text overlay "my elbow swelled up"

At one point in the video, MGK is even shocked at the changing appearance of his body. "Is that my belly button?" he asked. "Oh my god. Look at my fucking belly button."

Instagram: @roxx_____ / Via instagram.com

The result, including his finished belly button, can be mostly seen in his music video "Beauty" from the EP with Trippie Redd.

Person with layered jacket and necklaces sitting, tattoo visible on torso

Apparently, the pain from the blackout tattoo was so unbearable that he used his "hyperbolic oxygen chamber to heal faster." As someone with a dozen tattoos, I can only imagine the irritable pain of having your entire upper body slowly healing from the pain.

Person in a hyperbolic oxygen chamber holding a beverage

Check out the full video here.