91. LIL B - From Chicano to Japanese traditional tattooing

Today I sit down with Lil B to trace the global journey, artistic evolution, and mindset shift behind his achievements. From his roots doing graffiti in France and learning fine-line Chicano black-and-gray at the legendary Low Rider Tattoo, to completely reinventing his career in Japan, he shares the grit it takes to start over and establish himself as a respected practitioner of traditional Japanese tattooing and Tebori techniques. In this episode, we dive into: The Pivot to Japanese Style: how he stepped away from fine-line to build a brand-new reputation around bold, classic Japanese.   Perfecting the Craft: The challenge of understanding organic background flow, learning traditional techniques, and drawing inspiration from traditional masters.   Cultural Shifts & Studio Life: Comparing social norms between France and Japan, plus the unique reality of running a private studio in Okinawa.   Hyperproductivity vs. Rest: Unpacking burnout, reducing social media noise, and learning to balance a relentless work ethic with actual life enjoyment.   Follow Lil B on Instagram stefbastian.com @stef_bastian