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A recent trend in rap music has seen some musicians tattooing their eyeballs black, in a procedure which involves 'dyeing' the eyeball with ink.

One rapper to have taken up the irreversible procedure is American rapper 'Mace', following in the footsteps of fellow rapper 'Alkaline' - who himself has had his eyeballs tattooed black.

Mace, from Brooklyn, New York, was rushed to hospital after having his eye tattooed black, suffering complications from the procedure in his right eye.

The video below shows how shockingly quick the process - which is illegal in some parts of America - can be carried out.

In contrast to skin tattoos which require hours of needling and dyeing the skin, the eye can be 'tattooed' simply by piercing the sclera, which then spreads instantly through the eye like a black cloud.

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Mace has since claimed to have had a full recovery, and has continued in his musical career, though there are fears that others undergoing the procedure at tattoo parlours could lose their sight.

Despite being referred to by artists such as Mace as being a 'tattoo' - the process is far more akin to a medical procedure, and the accuracy with which it must be carried out leaves it best in the hands of a medical professional.

It's not the only questionable tattoo to capture worldwide attention recently - one women had 'Wigan' tattooed on her bum to thank someone for giving her a place to stay.

Upon being sent home from hospital after the procedure last year, Mace told his fans:

"My eyes feel better now thoe. On medication for 2 weeks! Thank God i didnt get blind thoe."

He later updated his fans on Facebook, saying:

"Now what can i say? Di media sayinq im blinded in 1 eye but yet i can still see."

Despite potential complications from eye scleral tattooing, the procedure itself is relatively painless as there are no nerve endings in this part of the eye.