Graffiti wraps the walls outside of I Am Alien Ink Tattoo, a new tattoo shop with live music venue on Ashland City’s busy Bearwallow Road. When you walk inside, you’ll get a dose of artistry wrapped in philosophy from the owner, rapper-turned rocker Keenan Lee, also known as K-Lee. It’s no coincidence the artist, who is inked heavily himself, likes to leave his mark.
“Each tattoo I have has a story behind it, a message,” Lee said. The Rutherford County native has been performing since he was eight and has been tattooing for 15 years. He has a wall of photos of the celebrities he has inked, including musical artists like Lo Cash, the Lacs, and Craig Campbell, along with high profile athletes like Caleb Plant and Charles Rucker.
Lee said got into the business after his mother dreamed that he was supposed to be a tattoo artist. He owned his own shop in Murfreesboro for over a decade and received several awards from tattoo conventions and other competitions.
Now, he said he feels a higher power has put him in Ashland City to bring positivity to the community. Lee said his business is all about respecting everyone and treating them like he’d like to be treated. “I’m a good guy, a godly guy. I wanted to create an environment where I can perform for my fans and tattoo my fans,” he said.
I Am Alien Ink is located at 1525 Bearwallow Road, Ashland City, Tenn. The shop is on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Iamalieninktattoo/. The phone number is 615-246-1646. To book an appointment, you can reach Lee at 615-692-9339.
