mgk
Biography
Colson Baker, known professionally as Machine Gun Kelly (MGK), is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and actor born on April 22, 1990, in Houston, Texas. Due to his parents' work as missionaries, he had a nomadic childhood, living in places like Egypt, Germany, and various U.S. cities before settling in Cleveland, Ohio. He began listening to rap in middle school, citing DMX, Eminem, and Ludacris as early influences. He gained the name "Machine Gun Kelly" for his rapid-fire lyrical delivery.
Music Career
MGK began his career by releasing several mixtapes between 2007 and 2010. A pivotal moment came in 2009 when he became the first rapper to win back-to-back victories at the Apollo Theater's Amateur Night. This success helped build his reputation, and in 2011, he signed with Bad Boy Records. His debut studio album, "Lace Up" (2012), debuted at number four on the US Billboard 200, featuring the hit single "Wild Boy". He followed this with "General Admission" (2015) and "Bloom" (2017), the latter of which included the chart-topping single "Bad Things" with Camila Cabello.
Genre Transition
In 2019, his album "Hotel Diablo" showed a move towards rap rock. This transition was fully realized with his 2020 pop-punk album, "Tickets to My Downfall," which became his first number-one album on the Billboard 200. The album's success was bolstered by the hit single "My Ex's Best Friend". He continued this pop-punk style with "Mainstream Sellout" (2022), which also topped the charts. Throughout his career, he has won several awards, including a Billboard Music Award for Top Rock Artist in 2021 and an MTV Video Music Award for Best Alternative in 2020.
Acting Career
Baker made his acting debut in the 2014 film "Beyond the Lights". He has since appeared in several films, often credited by his birth name, Colson Baker. His notable roles include appearances in the techno-thriller "Nerve" (2016), the post-apocalyptic horror "Bird Box" (2018), and the Mötley Crüe biopic "The Dirt" (2019), where he portrayed drummer Tommy Lee. He has also had roles in "Project Power" (2020) and "The Last Son" (2021). In 2022, he co-wrote, directed, and starred in the comedy film "Good Mourning".
Personal Life
MGK has a daughter named Casie Colson Baker, born in 2009, from a previous relationship with Emma Cannon. He began a high-profile relationship with actress Megan Fox in 2020 after they met on the set of "Midnight in the Switchgrass". The couple announced their engagement in January 2022. However, Fox later revealed in March 2024 that they had called off the engagement.