Machine Gun Kelly Tour Overview
Colson Baker (born April 22, 1990), known professionally as Machine Gun Kelly (MGK), is an American musician, rapper, singer, songwriter, and actor. He is noted for his genre duality across alternative rock with hip hop.Machine Gun Kelly released four mixtapes between 2007 and 2010 before signing with Sean Combs' record label, Bad Boy Records. He released his debut studio album, Lace Up, in 2012, which peaked at number four on the US Billboard 200 and contained his breakout single "Wild Boy" (featuring Waka Flocka Flame). His second and third albums, General Admission (2015) and Bloom (2017), achieved similar commercial success; the latter included the single "Bad Things" (with Camila Cabello), which peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. His fourth album, Hotel Diablo (2019), included rap rock.
Machine Gun Kelly released his fifth album, Tickets to My Downfall, in 2020; it marked a complete departure from hip-hop and entry into pop-punk. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, the only rock album to do so that year, and contained the single "My Ex's Best Friend" (featuring blackbear), which reached number 20 on the Hot 100. Its follow-up, Mainstream Sellout (2022) also peaked the Billboard 200 and achieved similar commercial success.
Machine Gun Kelly had his first starring role in the romantic drama Beyond the Lights (2014), and since appeared in the techno-thriller Nerve (2016), the horror Bird Box (2018), the comedy Big Time Adolescence and portrayed Tommy Lee in the biopic The Dirt (both 2019).
About Machine Gun Kelly
Baker was born on April 22, 1990, in Houston to Christian missionary parents. Baker and his family moved all around the world and he lived in Egypt for the first 4 years of his life. He also moved to Germany as well as throughout the United States, in Chicago, Denver, and Cleveland. Baker's mother left home when he was nine years old and he and his father moved to Denver to live with Baker's aunt. Baker's father fought depression and unemployment. Baker says he had just two school outfits and that he endured bullying from children in his neighborhood.He began listening to rap in the sixth grade, when he attended Hamilton Middle School, a school with an ethnically diverse student body in Denver. While he lived in Cleveland, Baker attended Shaker Heights High School.
The first three rappers that got him into the genre of hip hop as a child were Ludacris, Eminem and DMX, with Baker gaining interest in the genre after listening to DMX's "We Right Here" from the album The Great Depression (2001).
Machine Gun Kelly Facts
- Machine Gun Kelly began his music career by participating in rap battles and performing at local venues in Cleveland, Ohio.
- Aside from his music career, Machine Gun Kelly has appeared in movies such as “The Dirt” and “Bird Box,” showcasing his acting talent.
- Machine Gun Kelly has been recognized with awards such as Best Alternative Rock Artist at the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards.
- Machine Gun Kelly has been influenced by rock music.His music often incorporates elements of rock, and he has expressed his love for bands like Nirvana and Blink-182.
