Rihanna goes from BAD to BADDEST

Entertainment — 26 January 2012

She has millions in the bank and an entourage which would dwarf a basketball team.

But despite her life of excess, money and privilege, it seems Rihanna would rather be branded like a common thug.

The wayward singer revealed her new etching – the less than poetic slogan ‘Thug Life’ – inscribed on her knuckles in a fetching pale pink shade.

She tweeted the picture, posing with her fists clenched to show off her bizarre new inking.

Last September, the Only Girl In The World star was pictured blowing kisses to fans on the balcony of her hotel in Brazil having written the words on her hands in a pink Sharpie pen.

But now it seems Rihanna has gone under the needle for the permanent body art, adding the caption: ‘♫ All these b****es screaming that 2pac back ♫ #THUGLIFE.’

The Brit-winner appears to have taken inspiration from rapper Tupac (2Pac) Shakur’s tattoo, who had the same slogan inked across his stomach.

The slain rapper was murdered in 1996, after he was shot four times during a drive-by killing.

Rihanna also posted a separate message on Twitter, saying: ‘Tat my f***in name on u girl so I know its real!!! #MINE’

A reference to friend and rapper Drake’s (who featured on Rihanna’s single We Found love) single Free Spirit, where he namechecks 2Pac’s girlfriend Kidada Jones who had his tattoo on her arm.

She also appeared to have a new marking on her back, as she is pictured lying on the tattoo artist Mark Mahoney’s table with a bottle of beer.

The Barbadian beauty paid tribute to him online, adding the caption: ‘My boo Mark Mahoney!!!! #RockstarS*** #TATnight’

Mahoney is most known for his black and grey work, and more specifically images of religious icons, bombs, and guns, and has worked on Britney Spears, Nicole Richie, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt.