Draft:DJ Tambe

DJ Tambe is an American tattoo artist and TV personality, primarily known as a contestant, winner, and judge on the Paramount Network TV series Ink Master. He originally started tattooing in Rochester, NY at age 17, however he struggled with drug use and was eventually sent to rehab in Arizona for two months. Shortly after that he moved to Las Vegas and began working at Bad Apple Tattoo, where he continues to work to this day. His first TV appearance was on the Oxygen TV series Best Ink during season two. He has stated that he tried to get onto Ink Master during its second season, but ultimately wasn't selected to compete until season 9.

Season 9
DJ Tambe first appeared on the reality TV tattoo competition Ink Master in 2017, during the show's ninth season, titled "Shop Wars". The season revolved around two artists from the same tattoo shop collaborating on challenges to win together or lose together. DJ partnered with season 4 contestant Bubba Irwin, and the two represented Old Town Ink in the competition, eventually coming in first place and winning the $200,000 grand prize.

Season 10
Ink Master's tenth season, titled "Return of the Masters", saw three previous Ink Master winners return to the competition to coach contestants and help them win. DJ Tambe appeared as one of the masters alongside season seven winner Anthony Michaels and season two winner Steve Tefft. Ultimately DJ Tambe helped contestant Josh Payne secure first place, and each of them won a $100,000 prize. DJ's win was the first time in the show's history that a contestant won a second time.

Ink Master: Grudge Match
DJ appeared as a judge on the spin-off show Ink Master: Grudge Match, where previous contestants returned to tattoo head to head with their previous rivals on the show. He appeared alongside season eight winner Ryan Ashley Malarkey and popular Ink Master veteran Cleen Rock One.

Season 14
During the fourth episode of season fourteen, four Ink Masters returned as part of that week's challenge - Anthony Michaels, Steve Tefft, DJ Tambe, and season eleven winner Tony Medellin. Contestants needed to tattoo head to head with one of the returning masters. After the challenge, all four masters were offered the opportunity to enter the competition as contestants and compete for the $250,000 grand prize. All four accepted, and DJ ultimately won first place, making him a three-time winner.

Season 15
DJ returned to season fifteen as a judge, alongside host Joel Madden, Ryan Ashley Malarkey, and world-renowned tattoo artist Nikko Hurtado.