Nicki Minaj -- Hard Evidence She's Single

If Nicki Minaj and her boyfriend are still together, then he's got a weird way of showing the love ... having 2 of his 3 Nicki tats covered up with new ink.

Check out the pics for yourself ... Safaree Samuels had some work done on his chest -- though it's unclear when -- and he clearly covered up Nicki's name/mug.

Not only that, but his forearm ink looks drastically faded as well.

Neither have commented on rumors of their breakup, but Nicki definitely hinted at one back in May when she tweeted "SINGLE N READY TO MINGLE."

At the time, sources told us it was just a temporary argument and that the 2 were still together.

But healthy couples don't typically deface their better half's face, do they?

Man, love hurts.