Machine Gun Kelly (MGK)
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Who is Machine Gun Kelly?
Colson Baker, professionally known as MGK (stylized in lowercase) and formerly Machine Gun Kelly, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and actor.
MGK began his musical journey by releasing four mixtapes between 2007 and 2010 before signing with Puff Daddy’s Bad Boy Records, an imprint of Interscope Records, in 2011. His debut studio album, Lace Up (2012), peaked at number four on the US Billboard 200, with the hit single Wild Boy (featuring Waka Flocka Flame) marking his first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning triple platinum certification from the RIAA. His following albums, General Admission (2015) and Bloom (2017), received critical acclaim and commercial success, with Bloom featuring the hit Bad Things (with Camila Cabello), which reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2018, his diss track Rap Devil, aimed at Eminem, peaked at number 13 despite receiving mixed reviews. His fourth album, Hotel Diablo (2019), introduced rap-rock elements and saw an improvement in critical reception.
In 2020, MGK made a dramatic shift from hip-hop to pop-punk with his fifth album, Tickets to My Downfall, produced entirely by Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, making it the only rock album to do so that year. Its lead single, My Ex’s Best Friend (featuring blackbear), became a top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. His sixth album, Mainstream Sellout (2022), followed a similar path, achieving commercial success despite mixed reviews.
Beyond music, MGK has built a notable acting career. He made his first major appearance in the romantic drama Beyond the Lights (2014) and later starred in Nerve (2016), the horror-thriller Bird Box (2018), and the comedy Big Time Adolescence (2019). He also portrayed Tommy Lee in the Mötley Crüe biopic The Dirt (2019). In 2022, he co-wrote, produced, and starred in the stoner comedy Good Mourning, marking his directorial debut alongside Mod Sun.
Quick Details
| Real Name | Colson Baker |
| Also Known As | MGK |
| Date of Birth | April 22, 1990 |
| Birthplace | Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Gender | Male |
| Age | 34 |
| Height | 6′ 3” (1.92 m) tall. |
| Weight | 79 kg (approx) |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Education | Shaker Heights High School |
| Children | 1 (Daughter) |
| Profession | Rapper, Singer, Songwriter, Actor, Guitarist |
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Origin | Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
| Genres | Hip hop, Pop rap, Rap rock, Pop punk, Alternative rock |
| Instruments | Vocals, Guitar |
| Labels | EST 19XX, Bad Boy, Interscope |
| Associated acts | 24kGoldn, Blackbear, Earl St. Clair, Iann Dior, Mod Sun, Kellin Quinn, Puff Daddy, Travis Barker, Travis Porter, Trippie Redd, Yungblud |
| Social media | Website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X, TikTok, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Deezer, SoundCloud |
Early Life & Education
Colson Baker was born on April 22, 1990, in Houston, Texas. Raised in a family of Christian missionaries, his childhood was marked by constant relocation. He spent his early years in Egypt, where he learned to speak Arabic before English, and later lived in Kenya, Germany, and various parts of the United States, including Texas, Los Angeles, and Chicago.
At the age of nine, Baker’s mother left, and he moved to Denver with his father to live with his aunt. His father struggled with depression and unemployment, making their situation difficult. Baker recalls having only two school outfits and facing bullying in his neighborhood.
His interest in rap music began in sixth grade while attending Hamilton Middle School in Denver, a school with a diverse student body. Later, during his time in Cleveland, he attended Shaker Heights High School.
The first artists who introduced him to hip-hop were Ludacris, Eminem, and DMX. His passion for the genre ignited after hearing DMX’s We Right Here from the album The Great Depression (2001), setting him on the path to becoming an artist himself.
Career
After high school, Colson Baker was kicked out by his father and faced financial struggles. In March 2009, while on the brink of eviction, he traveled to Harlem’s Apollo Theater, where he made history as the first rapper to win multiple consecutive victories. Recording music in his home studio, the “Rage Cage,” he gained attention through MTV2’s Sucker Free Freestyle, showcasing verses from Chip off the Block. Despite his rising recognition, he worked at Chipotle to afford rent and also became a father during this period.
In 2010, Baker released 100 Words and Running, introducing his signature catchphrase, Lace Up. His single Alice in Wonderland, released on iTunes, won Best Music Video at the Ohio Hip-Hop Awards and earned him the Best Midwest Artist title at the Underground Music Awards. Later that year, he dropped the mixtape Lace Up, featuring the hometown anthem Cleveland, which gained local radio play and became a staple at Cleveland Cavaliers games.
His growing reputation led to a feature in XXL magazine in 2011 and an appearance on Juicy J’s Inhale. That same year, at SXSW in Austin, Texas, he caught the attention of Sean Combs, who signed him to Bad Boy Records under Interscope. When Bad Boy transitioned to Epic Records in 2015, Baker remained signed to Interscope in a joint venture.
MGK announced his debut album, Lace Up, with an intended release on October 9, 2012. The lead single, Wild Boy, featuring Waka Flocka Flame, peaked at No. 98 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was later certified gold. Invincible, the second single featuring Ester Dean, gained mainstream exposure as the theme for WrestleMania XXVIII and Thursday Night Football. MGK performed the track live at WrestleMania before John Cena’s match against The Rock. His rising success earned him MTV’s Hottest Breakthrough MC of 2011 and the Breaking Woodie award in 2012. He was also featured in XXL’s “Top 10 Freshmen” list alongside Macklemore, French Montana, and others.
Before the album’s release, MGK dropped the mixtape EST 4 Life in August 2012. Lace Up, featuring collaborations with artists like DMX, Lil Jon, and Tech N9ne, debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200, selling 57,000 copies in its first week. By 2015, it had sold over 263,000 copies.
In 2013, MGK released the mixtape Black Flag, featuring Pusha T, Meek Mill, and Wiz Khalifa. Without prior announcement, Black Flag dropped on June 26, showcasing MGK’s evolving artistry. The project was deeply personal, as he shared an open letter about his struggles with love and music.
In early 2014, rumors swirled about his second album. In January 2015, MGK released Till I Die, followed by a remix featuring Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, French Montana, and Yo Gotti. Another single, A Little More, featuring Victoria Monét, reflected his matured perspective on life. He described General Admission as more lyrical and hip-hop-driven with live instrumentation. On June 25, 2015, he officially announced the album’s title, confirming a late September release.
In February 2016, MGK appeared at Fastlane in Cleveland’s Quicken Loans Arena. Later that year, he released Bad Things, a collaboration with Camila Cabello, which peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.
MGK was set to open for Linkin Park’s One More Light Tour, but it was canceled due to Chester Bennington’s passing. In tribute, MGK released an acoustic cover of Numb.
In September 2018, MGK reignited a rap feud with Eminem by releasing Rap Devil, a response to Eminem’s Not Alike. The diss track topped iTunes charts, leading to Eminem’s counter-response, Killshot. Shortly after, MGK released the EP Binge, featuring Rap Devil, which debuted at No. 24 on the Billboard 200 but received mixed reviews.
In April 2019, MGK announced his fourth studio album, Hotel Diablo. Singles like Hollywood Whore, El Diablo, and I Think I’m Okay (featuring Yungblud and Travis Barker) showcased a shift towards pop punk influences. Released on July 5, 2019, the album debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200.
In December 2019, MGK dropped the pop punk single Why Are You Here and teased a full album in the genre, produced by Travis Barker, signaling a major shift in his musical direction.
On January 14, 2020, MGK announced his next album, Tickets to My Downfall, set for release on September 25, 2020. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, he launched the #LockdownSessions series, releasing covers and remixes, some of which later appeared on deluxe editions of the album. The lead single, Bloody Valentine, dropped on May 1, followed by Concert for Aliens and My Ex’s Best Friend in August.
In August 2020, MGK opened 27 Club Coffee in Cleveland. He also created and starred in Halloween in Hell, a musical horror podcast released in October 2020. Later that year, he announced Tickets to My Downfall would be adapted into a musical film, Downfalls High, which premiered in January 2021, featuring Chase Hudson and Sydney Sweeney.
Throughout 2021, MGK continued his pop-punk momentum, releasing singles like DayWalker with Corpse Husband and Love Race with Kellin Quinn. In August, he revealed his next album, Born with Horns, another collaboration with Travis Barker. The lead single, Papercuts, was released on August 11. He also starred in and co-directed the film Good Mourning alongside Mod Sun, Megan Fox, and Dove Cameron.
In January 2022, MGK renamed the album Mainstream Sellout. It was released to mixed reviews, continuing his evolution from rap to pop punk.
Backing band
- Current members
- Steve “Baze” Basil – bass, keyboards (2017–present)
- Brandon “Slimxx” Allen – keyboards, backing vocals (2017–present)
- JP “Rook” Cappelletty – drums (2017–present)
- Travis Barker – drums (2019–present)
- Justin “Jus” Lyons – guitars (2021–present)
- Sophie Lloyd – guitars (2022–present)
- Former members
- AJ Tyus – guitars (2017–2021)
Acting career
MGK made his film debut in Beyond the Lights (2014), playing Kid Culprit, a self-absorbed rapper. In 2016, he co-starred in and co-executive produced The Land, a Cleveland-set drama produced by Nas. That same year, he had a minor role in Nerve alongside Emma Roberts and Dave Franco and a recurring role as Wes in Showtime’s Roadies.
In 2018, he played Felix in the Netflix thriller Bird Box with Sandra Bullock. The following year, he portrayed drummer Tommy Lee in The Dirt, a Netflix biopic about Mötley Crüe. In 2020, he appeared as Newt in the superhero film Project Power with Jamie Foxx.
In 2021, MGK co-starred with Bruce Willis and Megan Fox in Midnight in the Switchgrass and starred in the western The Last Son with Sam Worthington. In 2022, he played “London Clash” in his self-directed comedy Good Mourning.
Personal Life
MGK was in a relationship with Emma Cannon in his teens, and they share a daughter born in July 2009.
He has been open about his cannabis use, describing it as a source of happiness and incorporating it into his music and persona. Before Lace Up, he struggled with heroin addiction and was also a heavy user of cocaine and alcohol. In 2020, he revealed an Adderall addiction and sought treatment.
Politically, he identified as an anarchist in a 2012 interview and reiterated in 2022 that he is not politically active.
In May 2020, he began dating actress Megan Fox after meeting on the set of Midnight in the Switchgrass. They got engaged in January 2022, but Fox announced in March 2024 that the engagement was off. In November 2024, she revealed on Instagram that she was pregnant with his child, following a previous miscarriage.
In 2021, he reverted to his birth name, Colson Baker.
