In the years since Drake entered the music scene, the Canadian-native rapper has built a chart-topping discography and an equally impressive ink collection featuring a unique variety of pieces. Starting with his very first tattoo of the OVO owl – the emblem of his official store, October’s Very Own) – on his back in 2011, the “Rich Flex” rapper has accumulated well over 55 designs that range from small script additions to massive ink portraits of his loved ones.
It’s safe to assume that perhaps Drake’s love language is getting permanent body artwork. From his parents and 5-year-old son, Adonis, to his musical idols and favorite characters from pop culture (he is a diehard Potterhead, FYI), Drake has undoubtedly one of the most interesting and eclectic collections out there. In fact, when Celine Dion caught wind of Drake’s imminent plan to immortalize her face on his torso, she hilariously implored her fellow Canadian musician against it, suggesting a list of alternative ways to express his admiration instead.
While his ink is scattered prominently across his arms and back, he sent the internet into a frenzy when he debuted his first-ever face tattoo in August 2022. He got the letters “sg” etched near his left eye – a sentimental piece of body art dedicated to his mother, Sandra Gale. The rapper also owns some beautiful designs that pay homage to his hometown of Toronto.
If you’re looking for an ultimate guide to the artist’s designs, we rounded up all of them ahead. Check out Drake’s tattoo collection and learn what each piece means.
Drake's Spider Tattoo
On the back of his left hand, Drake got a spider tattoo flexing its many limbs. The digit “6” is inscribed within the central body of the spider, which is a significant number to the Canadian rapper, who often refers to his hometown, Toronto, as “The Six” in his music.
During his May 2016 appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” the rapper confirmed the meaning behind the cryptic usage of the number. “Yes, our area code is 416,” he said. “We were debating on ‘The Four,’ but I went tail-end on them and went 6. And at one point, Toronto was broken up into six areas, so it’s all clicking, man,” further justifying his decision.
He also has a mysterious symbol design inked on the left side of his left hand. The first letter appears to be the Chinese symbol (力) for strength and power. The meaning of the two characters that follow isn’t known.
Drake's "Sicko" Tattoo
Drake’s left forearm bears the word “Sicko,” which is the logo of the namesake clothing brand from the rapper’s friend and stylist Ian Connor.
Drake's "11" Wrist Tattoo
On the inside of his left wrist, Drake has the number “11” inked in black. Many speculated that the tattoo might be dedicated to Jorja Smith, the English singer with whom he was briefly romantically linked in 2017. Smith, born on June 11, 1997, also has the same number inked on her left middle finger. Though the singer denied all rumors about their supposed matching ink, Drake teasingly addressed the speculation in his 2018 song “March 14.” “I got this 11 tatted for somebody, now it’s yours,” he sings in the track, as he talks about now relating the tattooed number to his son, Adonis, who was born on Oct. 11, 2017.
Drake's OVO Sound Logo Tattoo
Drake has three solid-black curved rectangular shapes inked on the inside of his left wrist, right next to his “11” tattoo. It’s the symbol of his record label, OVO Sound, which he cofounded with long-time collaborator Noah “40” Shebib in 2012.
Drake's "BBK" Tattoo
“BBK” is tattooed at the top of his left shoulder in Old English font in all small letters. This piece is an homage to the British grime group Boy Better Know, which Drake added to his ever-growing tattoo collection in 2015.
Drake's Lil Wayne Portrait Tattoo
On Drake’s left triceps is a portrait of Lil Wayne, which shows him looking sideways. The piece holds sentimental meaning for the rapper, who paid a sweet homage to his mentor through this ink in 2017. The “Love Me” rapper helped kick-start Drake on his musical journey in 2009 when he got signed under Lil Wayne’s Young Money Label.
Drake's LeBron James Portrait Tattoo
LeBron James’s portrait can be seen on Drake’s left upper arm, next to the compass piece. The NBA player is wearing his iconic high school Irish 23 jersey in the black-and-white design, which sold for a whopping $187,500 in an auction in 2019.
Drake's "30 Gifted" Tattoo
Below the compass, Drake got the number “30,” with an angel halo inked above the digit and the word “Gifted” placed below it. The ink represents the jersey number of famous NBA player Stephen Curry – Drake’s close pal.
Drake's "35 Snipe" Tattoo
Right adjacent to the Curry tribute, Drake also honors Kevin Durant with his jersey number “35” on his left upper arm. The word “Snipe” is written below it for his nickname, Easy Money Sniper.
Drake's OVO Owl Tattoo
Drake has his clothing line’s logo of an owl on his right shoulder blade. To the left of the design, he also got the lyric to Lil Wayne’s “John (If I Die Today)” tattooed in a light script that read: “If I die today . . . it’ll be a holiday.” He also has a list of acronyms close to him in the lines below the lyrics that say, “atf / ovo / ymcmb / reps up.”
“ATF” refers to All Things Fresh, Drake’s official fansite, while “YMCMB” stands for Young Money Cash Money Billionaires, aka the artists repped by Lil Wayne’s Young Money Entertainment.
Drake's Houston Astros Tattoo
Drake has the official logo of the Houston Astros on the top of his right shoulder, which features a bold outline for the letter “H” sitting atop the solid black-inked star.
Drake's Eye of Horus Cover-Up Tattoo
In 2012, Drake got a medium-size CN Tower inked on his right bicep, which he later covered up with a black-inked eye. The Egyptian symbol of the Eye of Horus represents well-being and protection.
Drake's "All Kinds" Tattoo
Drake’s right bicep bears the words “All Kinds” in block letters, which he got in 2012. This piece is a nod to the often-repeated phrase that Drake and his friends use among themselves.
Drake's Jesús Malverde Portrait Tattoo
Below the floral design on his right bicep, Drake has a portrait of Jesús Malverde, the legendary Robin Hood-esque figure from Sinaloa, Mexico, who would rob the rich to help the poor. He was famously known as the “Narco-Saint” and the “Angel of the Poor” among the local people.
Drake's Robin Givens Portrait Tattoo
Drake’s right bicep has a portrait of Robin Givens on it. The phrase “Be Careful Out There,” written in cursive letters, surrounds the face.
Drake's "Bébé's Kids" Tattoo
As an ode to the 1992 animated comedy film “Bébé’s Kids,” Drake immortalized a still from the movie by getting its black-and-gray portrait on his upper right arm. The body art shows the kids hanging at the back of a vintage car.
Drake's Son's Portrait Tattoos
Drake has two portrait tattoos of his son, Adonis, on his right lower arm – one near his elbow and another near his outer wrist.
Drake's Atlas and the World Tattoo
When life gives you birthmarks, turn them into body art. Drake put an artistic spin on his round birthmark by incorporating it into his mythological design. He has the Greek figure Atlas on his right forearm, where the Titan god is carrying the world upon his shoulders, but instead of the Earth, it’s Drake’s birthmark.
Drake's Shark Tattoo
In 2016, Rihanna and Drake sent the world into a frenzy by getting matching tattoos of a camouflaged shark. While the “Toosie Slide” rapper got his design on his right forearm, the Fenty Beauty founder placed hers on her left ankle. Done by Bang Bang Tattoo, the twin designs hold a lot of significance to the former couple, who shared a romantic moment on a date at an aquarium in Toronto where the rapper reportedly gifted her with a plush shark toy. However, since their split, Rihanna covered up the shark ink with a crown that wraps around her ankle.
Drake's Anchor Cover-Up Tattoo
At some point after parting ways with Rihanna, Drake also covered up his matching shark tattoo. He instead converted the former design into an elaborate anchor. It also has a banner flying across it carrying some small text, though we don’t exactly know what those words read.
Drake's "6 God" Tattoo
Gearing up to his 2014 track “6 God”‘s release, Drake got a commemorative tattoo on his right forearm that shows the number “6,” with a praying-hands emoji drawn next to it. Dr. Woo was behind the design, and a year later, in October 2015, the rapper paid him another visit to retouch the hands. This time, he gave the design more dimension by making them look much bigger and more realistic.
Drake's Jack-o'-Lantern Tattoo
A true October enthusiast through and through, Drake has a Halloween-style, carved-out pumpkin lantern inked above his right wrist. The piece also features text beneath the lamp that says “Halloween Gang” in a closely packed hollow font. He got it in 2016.
Drake's Parents' Portrait Tattoo
He also dedicated another portrait tattoo to his parents where both of them are smiling in the same frame. The tattoo sits on his upper right forearm, left of Adonis’s portrait.
Drake's Horse Head Tattoo
On his right shoulder, next to his dad’s portrait, there’s a horse’s head design enclosed in a circle. It’s a similar design to one seen on his merchandise for “Morning Hills,” the name of his former LA mansion.