Kid Cudi Nirvana Kurt Cobain
[Photos via Kud Cudi/Spotify, Kurt Cobain/Spotify]

See how Kid Cudi paid tribute to Kurt Cobain with his new tattoo

Kid Cudi recently unveiled his new tattoo of late Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain.

However, although the latest ink is a portrait of Cobain, Kid Cudi’s new tattoo is also in tribute to late singer/songwriter Daniel Johnston.

Read more: Fans finally decoded what Halsey is teasing for the ‘Badlands’ anniversary

Kid Cudi has previously expressed his admiration for Cobain and the music he made.

“Kurt has always been an inspiration. I try to use him as my muse whenever I can,” Kid Cudi said in a GQ interview.

He also tweeted about Cobain various times over the years.

Kid Cudi has been so inspired by Cobain’s music that he has even used it in his own work. Kids See Ghosts, his 2018 collaborative album with Kanye West, includes a sample of Cobain’s post-humous solo track “Burn The Rain.”

Now, Kid Cudi is commemorating Cobain on his skin forever. In fact, Kid Cudi had a specific reason for the image he chose of Cobain for his new tattoo.

The photo reference is from the 1992 MTV Video Music Awards. Cobain appeared at the awards show wearing a shirt that had the artwork for Johnston’s 1983 album Hi How Are You on it.

Although the two had never worked together directly, Cobain was a big enough fan to rock the shirt at a highly-publicized event. The incident helped propel Johnston’s cult following to broader audiences.

Read more: Here’s why 2020 VMAs performers are exempt from NYC’s quarantine rule

For some of you, the shirt will be very familiar. The iconic design includes an outlined bug-eyed frog beneath the words “Hi, How Are You.”

“4 Kurt and salute to Daniel,” Kid Cudi says.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CEP0dP5Fua1/?utm_source=ig_embed

Along with the Cobain portrait, a small “K” is also tattooed on Kid Cudi. The “K” tattoo represents the indie record label K and is also the exact same tattoo Cobain also had.

Famous tattoo artist Dr. Woo also shared the tattoo on his Instagram page.

“Kurt in Daniel on Cudi…legends all the way round.”

Daniel Johnston passed away last September after suffering a suspected heart attack. He was 58 years old.

Nirvana’s performance at the 1992 MTV VMAs featuring Cobain wearing Johnston’s shirt is available to stream below.

Do you like Kid Cudi’s new tattoo? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.