Lifestyle Health Rihanna Gets a 'Thug Life' Tattoo The singer inks a tribute to Tupac on her knuckles – but some of her fans aren't happy about it By Tim Nudd Tim Nudd Tim Nudd is a former contributing writer at PEOPLE. He left PEOPLE in 2016. People Editorial Guidelines Published on January 26, 2012 11:30AM EST Photo: Courtesy Rihanna Rihanna has always been fond of tattoos, and her new one sure sends a message. Newly emblazoned across her knuckles is the phrase “Thug Life,” as seen in a photo the singer, 23, posted to Twitter. It’s apparently an homage to Tupac Shakur, who had the same phrase tattooed across his stomach. And indeed, Rihanna has mentioned Tupac in a series of occasionally obscene Twitter posts over the past day – many of them in response to fans’ outrage that she would identify with thug culture. QUIZ: Guess the Star Tattoo! In fact, Rihanna has been fond of the “Thug Life” phrase for some time. She wrote the words on her knuckles with a pink Sharpie last September, the Daily Mail reports.