A Rapper and Tattoo Artist: Who Is Wiz Khalifa's Taylor Gang Friend Who Collaborated on Songs and Tattooed Him?

The rapper's inner circle has featured producers, artists, and longtime friends. Among them is a creative collaborator whose influence extends beyond music and into another art form that has helped define his image.

Over the years, Wiz Khalifa has covered much of his body in ink, turning tattoos into one of the most recognizable aspects of his appearance. While fans may know the artwork, fewer may know the artist behind many of those pieces.

That artist is Tuki Carter, a tattoo specialist, rapper, and longtime member of the Taylor Gang family. Their relationship has stretched far beyond the tattoo chair, evolving into a creative partnership that has included music and years of friendship.

Here's a closer look at the man behind some of Khalifa's tattoos and the path that connected him to one of hip-hop's biggest stars.

The Tattoo Artist Wiz Khalifa Trusts

During a 2018 appearance on "Hot Ones," host Sean Evans brought up Khalifa's extensive collection of tattoos and asked about the artist he turns to most often. The rapper didn't hold back. "He's crazy. He's super funny," he said of Carter.

The praise didn't stop there. The rapper explained that Carter's approach to tattooing differs from many artists because he prefers drawing directly onto the skin instead of relying heavily on stencils. Khalifa added:

"He's really good. He draws everything right on you. He doesn't use stencils. So, that's why I like him."

At one point, Evans asked about the most recent tattoos Carter had given him. The "Black and Yellow" rapper recalled that they included a pumpkin and a spray can, both tattooed on his face.

The designs carried personal meaning. According to Khalifa, the pumpkin was inspired by his son's love of Halloween and the color orange, while the spray can connected to Taylor Gang imagery.

Their Relationship Goes Beyond Tattoos

Although Carter became known to many fans as Khalifa's tattoo artist, their connection eventually expanded into music as well. Over the years, the pair have appeared on multiple songs together, reflecting a creative relationship that stretches across more than one medium.

In 2012, the duo appeared alongside Pharrell and Amber Rose on "Rise Above." Two years later, the two collaborators reunited on tracks including "She Said" and "Good."

During the same BET interview, he reflected on tattooing Gucci Mane during the early stages of the rapper's rise.

More recently, Carter appeared on Khalifa's 2024 song "Won't Stop." Those releases represent only a portion of their musical overlap, but they illustrate how their friendship evolved into an ongoing creative partnership rather than remaining solely focused on tattoo work.

How Tuki Carter Met Wiz Khalifa

Years before becoming one of Khalifa's closest collaborators, Carter was already building a reputation as a tattoo artist. During a 2017 interview with BET, he broke down his introduction to the rapper and shared:

"I became Taylor Gang from just being really on the road with him, kicking it, being around a lot. I was introduced to Wiz through Rick Ross. He done a 'Super High Remix' video at my tattoo shop, City of Inc."

From there, the relationship grew naturally. Rather than joining through a formal process, he became part of the crew by consistently being around the people and culture that surrounded the label.

Tattooing Some of Hip-Hop's Biggest Names

Khalifa wasn't the only major artist Carter worked with. During the same BET interview, he reflected on tattooing Gucci Mane during the early stages of the rapper's rise.

The tattoo artist said he was contacted through a referral and eventually met Mane at his aunt's house, where he was asked to tattoo "So Icy" multiple times.

The tattoo artist's creativity wasn't limited to tattoos or music.

The experience marked the beginning of a long-running professional relationship. Over the years, Carter continued working with Mane and also tattooed Waka Flocka Flame, including lettering on the rapper's hands.

Those high-profile clients helped establish Carter as a respected figure within hip-hop's tattoo culture while expanding his reputation beyond Pittsburgh and the Taylor Gang circle.

The Meaning Behind Flowers and Planes

The tattoo artist's creativity wasn't limited to tattoos or music. One of his most recognizable ventures became Flowers and Planes, a brand he described as a way to merge artwork, merchandise, and music under a single concept.

He explained that he wanted to create something visually appealing to a broad audience while still containing deeper meaning for those familiar with the culture surrounding Taylor Gang.

The imagery combined flowers and paper airplanes, creating a design that could be interpreted in multiple ways. For some people, it was simply attractive artwork.

For others, it carried references that connected to cannabis culture and the lifestyle that helped shape much of Taylor Gang's identity. More importantly, Carter said he wanted the brand to feel like a movement rather than a temporary trend.

Turning Creativity Into a Career

Whether discussing tattooing, painting, merchandise, or music, Carter emphasized a similar philosophy throughout his BET interview. He explained that much of his artistic inspiration comes directly from his own experiences, noting:

"I don't really jump outside the boundaries of what I know when it comes to music. I do tattoos, I paint, make furniture, rap, you know. I do a lot of that and a lot of that is explained in there, you know, mixed with, you know, other life things [...]."

That mindset also influences how he approaches business. The tattoo artist suggested that the same determination often associated with street hustle can be redirected toward legal creative pursuits. For him, success comes from applying that work ethic to art, entrepreneurship, and music.

It's a philosophy that helps explain why his career has expanded into so many different areas. While many fans know Carter because of the tattoos he created for Khalifa, his story extends far beyond a tattoo machine.

From music collaborations and merchandise ventures to years spent building his own artistic identity, the tattoo artist has carved out a unique place within the Taylor Gang universe while remaining one of Wiz Khalifa's longest-standing creative partners.