Sleepy removes tattoos four years after marriage, citing desire not to embarrass his children

Rapper Sleepy revealed that he is undergoing tattoo removal treatment, explaining that his decision was motivated by his desire to be a more respectable father to his two children.

On June 11, a video titled 'I’m Now a Dad. Goodbye Hip-Hop Style' was uploaded to his YouTube channel in which he openly discussed his reasons for starting the procedure. Sleepy said that his perspective began to change after his children started attending daycare.

“Now that my kids are going to daycare, I started thinking about removing my tattoos,” he said. “As a parent, I’ve felt the uncomfortable gaze of people looking at me and thinking, ‘That’s a tattooed dad.’”

He also referred to a previous incident in which a staff member commented on his hand tattoos while he was interacting with his daughter, noting that they looked out of place. Sleepy acknowledged that he has more tattoos than he had realized, adding that he may even have more than Jay Park, with designs covering both arms.

He further expressed discomfort about his appearance in a childcare setting, saying, “It feels embarrassing to go to daycare. Not just embarrassing, but I feel ashamed. I feel like I am showing my children something negative. I want to reach a point where my tattoos are no longer visible when I wear a long-sleeved shirt.”

Sleepy added that he wants to live a life his children can be proud of, stating that even though he has tattoos, he does not want to be perceived as someone his children might feel embarrassed by.

Following these reflections, he visited a dermatology clinic for consultation and began the tattoo removal process. He explained that his career transition into television and trot music, in addition to his background as a rapper, made his image feel less consistent. He also noted that becoming a parent led him to reconsider how his appearance might be perceived in relation to his children’s upbringing.

During the procedure, Sleepy described the pain as extremely intense, comparing it to “being repeatedly struck with a heated metal nail.” Despite the discomfort, he expressed surprise as he saw parts of his tattoos gradually fading during treatment.

Sleepy married a non-celebrity eight years his junior in August 2022. The couple has one son and one daughter.