As the bandits entered the prison system they established and organised themselves in the same way as they had outside. The influence and membership of these “Ninevites” – as they were known – spread into the mines. These gangs have their roots in a single gang that operated more than 100 years ago in the eastern hills of Johannesburg. Nearly all the tattoos that are made in the South African prisons are related to the “Numbers” gangs. He explained that stoeka referred to the more elaborate works worn by the criminals from his neighborhood. He helped raise me up and taught me about Hip Hop. He was the graffiti king from Mitchell’s Plein. Tyler B Murphy: I first heard the word Stoeka from Falko Star in 1995. In thinking about how they lean towards prison style tattoos, where does “Stoeka” come from? It is just a way of saying a fancy hand-poked tattoo that leans towards prison style tattoos. Tyler B Murphy: Stoeka style is the style of tattooing, where you create intricate works with shading and depth without the aid of a tattoo machine. Therefore, fresh from completing a new set of tattoos for Ninja prior to the filming of Chappie, we caught up with Murphy to find out more about where 'Stoeka' comes from, why it developed and how Ninja fits into the equation.īeing from Cape Town and despite having worked with you before, I am still very ignorant about ‘Stoeka’ style, what is it essentially? Derived from a combination of his conversations with Ninja and his own understandings of and interactions with local prison and gangster culture, these tattoos, their process and their multifarious histories provide a unique window into Cape Town’s myriad of subcultures. Inspired by his work with Ninja, Murphy has subsequently gone on to develop his own signature take on this local Cape Tonian 'Stoeka' style. As the founder and owner of Cape Town tattoo studio Sins of Style, Murphy has played a pivotal role in contributing towards the formation of Die Antwoord’s multilayered visual aesthetic, having been instrumental in the adornment of Ninja's body in his now characteristic Cape Tonian ‘chappies.’ Although probably not the only one, he has been an ever-present part of Die Antwoord’s journey. In Die Antwoord’s case, it is tattooist Tyler B Murphy. With their careers continuing to grow from strength to strength, the recent release of Neill Blomkamp's Chappie brought their much-anticipated big screen debut, and sees them share the credits with a host of big name stars like Hugh Jackman, Sigourney Weaver and Dev Patel.īut-aside from their recent success – as with many celebrities, behind the big names there are often important people doing remarkable work, outside of the limelight. Over the last few years, Ninja and Yo-landi – the latter who finds herself featured on this month’s cover – have experienced a meteoric rise, travelling and playing their eclectic music fusion to sold out stadiums the world over.

Baby ninja tattoes