An anonymous website allowing its users to draw with Emojis has been hot news on the internet this last week or so. Because, who doesn’t like writing their name with a big smiley turd? Founded in Japan, of course, the humble Emoji has come some way since the turn of the century – and now no Instagram comment is complete without an a-ok hand gesture or four – which hasn’t gone unnoticed by the clever wee boffin behind emoji.ink, a bare-bones web app that affords you all the ability of an early version of Microsoft Paint, but with smiley faces as your brush.

Inevitably it wouldn’t be long ’til some smart aleck breezed along and made us amateurs feel really small – though a young American rapper might have been far from the aleck most had in mind. Definitely not a balding, agoraphobic veteran of Bill Gates’ favourite creative software, Yung Jake is a rapper with a difference. You’re unlikely to find Lil’ Wayne hosting a multimedia solo show at a Los Angeles gallery. Cropping up on his @yungjake Instagram account over the last few days, YJ’s Emoji portraits range from pop culture icons to cult hip-hop superstars, including a homage to recently passed A$AP Yams. But really it’s all about the big man, Larry ‘LD’ David – looking every bit as perplexed as you’d imagine he would do, having had the process of his portrait explained to him. Inspired? Get clicking, we’ll see you at the RSI clinic.

emoji.ink

Miley Cyrus,
Yung Jake, using emoji.ink

Jerry Seinfeld,
Yung Jake, using emoji.ink

By We Heart, using emoji.ink

A$AP Yams,
Yung Jake, using emoji.ink

Young Thug,
Yung Jake, using emoji.ink

By We Heart, using emoji.ink