MKTO

Biography

MKTO is an American pop and hip hop duo consisting of Malcolm Kelley and Tony Oller. The two met in 2010 while filming the Nickelodeon television series Gigantic, where their characters were best friends. Prior to this, both had acting careers, with Kelley known for his role as Walt Lloyd in Lost and Oller appearing in the Disney Channel's As the Bell Rings. The name MKTO is a combination of their initials and also stands for "Misfit Kids and Total Outcasts," which they felt represented their high school experiences.

Musical Career

After forming their duo, MKTO signed with Columbia Records. They released their debut single, "Thank You," on November 12, 2012. The song, a mix of pop and hip hop, achieved commercial success, particularly in Australia and New Zealand. Their next single, "Classic," released in 2013, became an international hit, achieving double platinum status in Australia. Their self-titled debut album, MKTO, was released on January 30, 2014, and featured songs like "God Only Knows" and "American Dream". In July 2015, they released the Bad Girls EP.

Hiatus and Reunions

In 2017, the duo announced they were taking a break. They reunited in June 2018, signing a new record deal with BMG and releasing the single "How Can I Forget" in September of that year. This was followed by several other singles, including "Shoulda Known Better" and "Marry Those Eyes" in 2019. The duo disbanded again in 2021, but have since returned, performing at a benefit concert in January 2025.

Discography

Studio Albums

MKTO (2014)

Extended Plays

Bad Girls EP (2015)

Notable Singles

"Thank You" (2012)
"Classic" (2013)
"God Only Knows" (2013)
"American Dream" (2014)
"Bad Girls" (2015)
"How Can I Forget" (2018)