Rising Stars: Meet Louie Perez III of Fullerton California

Today we’d like to introduce you to Louie Perez III.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?

Professional musician, tattooer, street philosopher and raconteur. I comes from a strong chicano music / creative lineage.
My dad is a founder, and primary lyricist of Los Lobos (of “La Bamba” fame and Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame nominees), I am a lead singer of Manic Hispanic, we electrify audiences with spicy performances of energy and humor. Not just limited to music, my vocation has lead me to tattooing for 26 years. and a commercial artist for even longer. I am known for intricate designs and chicano styles. I do my beast to bridge the gap between music and visual art, carrying forward my family’s artistic legacy.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Growing up in the Southern California, I experienced a battle with drug addiction and got sober in 2003.That is putting it more briefly than humanly possible.
In July of 2025 I was rushed to a hospital while on a trip in Kansas City Missouri where I had an emergency surgery. I had another complication in October . Then immediately went to Japan for three weeks to tattoo only to return to the United States for what I am hoping is my final surgery. As I write this , I am currently in a hospital recovering from a very evasive procedure to ensure my long term health. Some how I pursue on with no end in sight besides in the soil. This last time was the closest for sure, or as I like to say, “ The grim reaper kissed me on the cheek…”☠️

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a tattooer,illustrator and musician. I have Been drawing since I was three years old and being creative is as essential as breathing for me..I did my first commercial illustration at 13 years old for the EAST LA legendary band Los Lobos. A logo they still use to this day as they celebrate 50 years of being a band..
I have done commercial work for major companies like Nike,Disney ect. ,
However I am best known for being a street tattooer to the people where gained notoriety for working in Hollywood for a decade.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
A Mentorship/Apprenticeship is crucial to any trade.There is an gained appreciation to the ability of taking direction, and then applying that to the creative aspects of your career and life in general once you achieve master status.
I truly believe that taking the stairs to your dreams, will offer a better quality and appreciation aling the journey than those who take the temptation of theelevator to success in life. Perhaps that is only because I never had the opportunity to take the elevator most of the time to succeed.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louie_perez_3/

Image Credits
Albert Licano ,Jason Goetten