Lorenzo Prins, The ‘Monster’ in the Tattoo Business

After seven years in the tattoo business, a ‘Monster’ motivation pushed Lorenzo Prins to open his own tattoo parlour.

Growing up in Donkerhoek, Khomasdal, he was always interested in art. However, it took a while before he found his way in life. He started out working in the bank but life behind a desk clearly wasn’t his style.

“Because I love art so much, after four years, I felt that this was not the way for me,” he said.

He bought his first tattoo machine and gained inspiration from shows such as ‘LA Ink’ and ‘Ink Masters’.

“Ek het my hart vas gemaak, en besluit ek jaag die trade (I prepared myself and decided to chase my dreams),” Prins said.

The 32-year-old tattooist was trained by a variety of professionals, as well as being self-taught. Having said that, Prins mentioned that he learnt a lot from well-known tattoo artist Fabian Nel who he worked for for about two years before forging his own path.

Prins operated from his home and initially the burden of not having a fixed income weighed heavily on him, but he kept his head up.

“I started out by charging N$50 or N$100 for tattoos just to get my foot in the door,” he said. His brother, cousin and some high school friends served as his guinea pigs.

His family wasn’t very happy, but he told his mother: “Just believe in me, and I’ll show you what I can do”.

It took him about three years to start making regular money. “I got many clients from then on, famous people, radio DJs and artists.”

Being a tattoo artist might be his dream, but that doesn’t mean there are no challenges. When doing house calls, Prins has been robbed of his tattoo machine multiple times while trying to make his way back home. “But I just make another plan to get a new machine,” he said optimistically.

“If I can do tattoos all day, I’m completely fine with that.”

Prins specialises in grey and black tattoos as well as free hand tattoos, something he admires American tattooist Corey Miller for.

Four years ago, Prins had an epiphany. After being in a fight, he obtained severe skull injuries which landed him in the Intensive Care Unit for three months. After waking up, the doctor told his mother that he would never be able to use his hands again.

“I prayed a lot,” Prins said, adding that if he wasn’t meant to be a tattooist then things would’ve stayed that way.

Two months later, through vigorous therapy, he managed to do another tattoo. Prins’ life further changed when he met Maguire Mulder, marketing manager of Coca-Cola Namibia.

He was invited by Doctatainment to attend the Sneaker and Hip-Hop Festival, and Mulder stumbled upon his stall. After chatting for a while, Mulder handed Prins his business card. They met and discussed a partnership with Monster Energy drink which then became his official sponsor. The company helps with event planning, supplies as well as exposure.

“This is what I always wanted. This was my breakthrough,” said Prins, who mentioned that this decision felt right, as many others had approached him before, however he turned them away.

“Mulder was a big part of this. He made everything possible.”

Prins said Monster’s number one priority was helping him find his own space. You can now find Inknation, Prins’ parlour, on the first floor at Khomas Grove Mall.

He has plans to take new tattooists under his wing and mentor them, as he hopes to expand his business.

“I have a burning passion for tattooing,” he concluded.

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