LETTERHEADS #25 - Nero Letters

Rob Hernandez, better known as Nero Letters, is a tattoo artist whose work is deeply rooted in the culture of the streets. Hailing from Palermo, Italy, Nero's story is one of passion, resilience, and creativity shaped by his love for rap culture, graffiti, and the raw inspiration drawn from urban life. His early days were filled with the sounds of West Coast rap legends like Snoop Dogg, 2Pac, and NWA, and the vivid visuals of lowriders, tags, and iconic album cover lettering. This fusion of music and street art sparked his fascination with letters and tags—a passion that evolved into tattooing in 2016.

Nero's freehand lettering tattoos are where his artistry truly comes alive. With a keen eye for anatomy, he adapts his designs to flow with the movement and dynamism of the human body. Drawing from his background in art restoration and graphic design, his work carries a raw emotional weight, blending elements of Old English typography and hand styles inspired by both the beauty and the struggles of the streets. Nero describes his art as “full of poison,” a reflection of the pain, lessons, and scars that shape his creative vision. To him, lettering isn’t just a skill; it’s a medium for storytelling, as powerful and raw as the streets that inspire him.

After leaving Italy in 2017, Nero's travels took him to Brazil, Mexico, and Los Angeles, where he trained with renowned artist Jose Lopez at Lowrider Tattoo. Immersing himself in the heart of South Central and Skid Row, Nero connected with the origins of street culture, learning from its struggles and triumphs. Today, he continues his artistic journey in Mexico City, collaborating with studios and honing his craft as a freelance artist. For Nero, lettering is not just an artform—it’s a lens through which he views the world, constantly pushing boundaries and finding new ways to express the soul of the streets.