A well-known tattoo artist and Sleep Token fan, known online as Emz, says her Instagram account was suspended this week after receiving multiple copyright strikes reportedly issued by Sleep Token’s management, KillLynx LLC.
Emz had built a loyal following by sharing Sleep Token-inspired tattoo designs, artwork, and fan creations, often showcasing intricate pieces that resonated with the band’s devoted fanbase. According to her posts on other social media platforms, the takedown came without warning — and resulted in the complete loss of her account, which she’d grown over several years.
“I’ve always created from a place of love and respect for the band,” Emz said in a statement shared through friends. “This isn’t about profit or stealing — it’s about connection through art. It hurts to have that erased.”
The removal quickly gained traction among Sleep Token fans, many of whom took to X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit to voice frustration over what they see as an overreach by the band’s management. Hashtags like #LetArtistsCreate and #FreeFanArt began circulating as supporters argued that the takedown punishes the very creators who helped amplify the band’s image online.
Others defended KillLynx LLC’s decision, saying that enforcing intellectual property rights — even in fan-created spaces — is part of protecting a band’s visual brand. Still, many fans argue that this incident exposes a growing tension between fan creativity and strict IP enforcement in today’s digital music landscape.
The incident comes at a time when Sleep Token’s popularity has exploded globally, with their visual identity — masked imagery, mysterious storytelling, and stylized logos — becoming a major part of the band’s mystique. That same iconography has inspired everything from fan art to tattoo culture, often blurring the line between homage and official representation.
Emz has since created a new Instagram account (https://www.instagram.com/inkitej_/), where she thanked supporters for their messages and promised to keep creating. “They can take my page, but not my passion,” she wrote.
As of now, Sleep Token and KillLynx LLC have not publicly commented on the situation.
Whether this was an isolated enforcement issue or a shift toward stricter brand control remains to be seen — but the discussion it sparked about art, ownership, and creative freedom is far from over.
