Renowned Celebrity Tattooist Rob G. Commits Suicide

Rob G., a tattoo artist known for his work on celebrities such as Suns star Shaquille O'Neal, hip-hop stars G-Unit, Ice Cube, Lil Jon, and DMX, and the New England Patriots, died at his home in Orlando, Florida on Monday, January 26.

By Niki D'Andrea

January 30, 2009

What happens on the ground matters — Your support makes it possible.

We’re aiming to raise $7,000 by August 10, so we can deepen our reporting on the critical stories unfolding right now: grassroots protests, immigration, politics and more.

Contribute Now

Progress to goal

$7,000

$1,800

Audio By Carbonatix

[
          {
            "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
            "component": "21251496",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "STN Player - Float - Mobile Only ",
            "component": "21327862",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "Editor Picks",
            "component": "16759093",
            "insertPoint": "4",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "17980324",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - 2x Rectangles Desktop, Tower on Mobile - Labeled",
            "component": "21934225",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25          
          
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "17980324",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
            "component": "17012245",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          }
        ]

Shaquille O'Neal with Rob G.

Rob G., a tattoo artist known for his work on celebrities such as Suns star Shaquille O'Neal, hip-hop stars G-Unit, Ice Cube, Lil Jon, and DMX, and the New England Patriots, died at his home in Orlando, Florida on Monday, January 26. He was 39 years old. Few details of his death are available, but a close friend of the tattooist says he committed suicide.

We had attempted to contact Rob G. to discuss Shaq's tattoos via Rob G.'s official MySpace page back in December. On Wednesday, January 28, we received this response:

"im sorry for such a late delay... im sorry to inform you that rob g has past away on jan 26th he killed himself in his house in orlando... the viewing with be this Thursday and the funeral is friday the 30th of january in orlando... shaq was also a close friend to rob g... he is a legend and his legacy will live forever"

More details on Rob G.'s life and memorial services are available at his MySpace page.

Niki D'Andrea has covered subjects including drug culture, women's basketball, pirate radio stations, Scottsdale staycations, and fine wine. She has worked at both New Times and Phoenix Magazine, and is now a freelancer.

A message from Music Editor Amy Young: If you value independent journalism, please consider making a contribution to support our continued coverage of Phoenix's music, events and entertainment scenes.

Support Today