Lady Gaga and reality star Kat Von D's friendship goes back for years ... three to be exact.

Back in 2008, the eccentric singer, wearing bright blue pants and a long wig, had Von D ink a tattoo of entwined roses on her lower back. Ironically, this footage was taken before Gaga's debut album The Fame was released.

When Kat asks Gaga if she's working on anything cool, the then-22-year-old performer says: "I worked with New Kids on the Block last night, it was rad."

Looks like Lady G is hangin' tough while getting her tat!