Machine Gun Kelly (rapper)
Encyclopedia
Richard Colson Baker best known by his stage name Machine Gun Kelly or MGK, is an American rapper from Cleveland, Ohio
. His stage name was given for his rapid-fire lyrical flow. He is known for his two mixtapes, 100 Words and Running and Lace Up. He also has been featured in XXL
. In mid 2011 MGK signed a deal with Young and Reckless Clothing. On August 3, 2011, he announced he signed with Diddy
's Bad Boy Records
, and Interscope Records
.
to missionary parents and took up residence in Egypt
, Germany
, Chicago
, L.A., Denver, and Ohio
. Since he lived the first four years of his life in Egypt, he spoke Arabic before English
. He started listening to rap at the age of four when he went to a predominantly black school in Denver. At 14, Baker moved to his now hometown Cleveland, where he attended Shaker Heights High School
, graduating in 2008.
's Apollo Theater
in March 2009 where he had back-to-back victories, making him the first rapper to ever win at the Apollo Theater
. He records music in his home studio which he refers to as the "Rage Cage". Colson first started to gain exposure when he was featured on MTV2
's Sucker Free Freestyle, where he freestyled numerous verses from his "Chip Off The Block" single. In February 2010, he released his debut mixtape 100 Words and Running. He released his second mixtape in November 2010 titled "Lace Up" which featured the hometown anthem "Cleveland" which is played at Cleveland Cavaliers
home games and is on rotation on Z107.9 in Cleveland. "Lace Up" was recorded in three months in 2010 during a creative burst. He is currently touring, and has forged a friendship with Three 6 Mafia
's Juicy J
who tapped Kelly to appear on his track "Boat Load" in January 2011 which was produced by Lex Luger
the music video for "Boat Load" featured Steve-O
from Jackass
. In March 2011 he participated in his first SXSW show in Austin, Texas
. At the SXSW show he was approached by Sean Combs
of Dirty Money
and since then has gained massive exposure throughout the music scene. In 2011 Machine Gun Kelly signed with Bad Boy Records
which is associated with Interscope He was featured on the XV
song "Finally Home". On Nov. 15th, Machine Gun Kelly released a music video for the song "Wild Boy" featuring American rapper Waka Flocka Flame
.
account, @machinegunkelly, a Flash Mob
at Strongsville, Ohio's, Westfield SouthPark
Mall. After several warnings by mall security to not get on a table, he hopped on a food court table and, along with several members of EST, was arrested by the Strongsville Police. Hours after, he announced on Twitter that he had been released. He also added "If having fun with my fans means I have to get arrested then keep the cuffs out." He along with two other members of EST received citations after arrest and release for Disorderly Conduct and paid fines of $230 each, and are also banned from the Strongsville Mall.
Mixtapes
Collaborations
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
. His stage name was given for his rapid-fire lyrical flow. He is known for his two mixtapes, 100 Words and Running and Lace Up. He also has been featured in XXL
XXL (magazine)
XXL is a Hip-Hop magazine, published by Harris Publications.In 1997, XXL was founded by former Source staffers as well as other Harris Publication employees, who wanted to create their own magazine about the hip-hop music and culture using the model developed by the founders of The Source...
. In mid 2011 MGK signed a deal with Young and Reckless Clothing. On August 3, 2011, he announced he signed with Diddy
Sean Combs
Sean John Combs , also known by his stage names Diddy and P. Diddy, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur. He has won three Grammy Awards and two MTV Video Music Awards, and his clothing line earned a Council of Fashion Designers of America award. He was originally...
's Bad Boy Records
Bad Boy Records
Bad Boy Records is a record label founded in 1993 by producer/rapper/entrepreneur Sean "Diddy" Combs. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Warner Music Group, and is distributed by Atlantic Records.-Beginnings:...
, and Interscope Records
Interscope Records
Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:...
.
Early life
Colson Baker was born in 1990, in TexasTexas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
to missionary parents and took up residence in Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, L.A., Denver, and Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. Since he lived the first four years of his life in Egypt, he spoke Arabic before English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
. He started listening to rap at the age of four when he went to a predominantly black school in Denver. At 14, Baker moved to his now hometown Cleveland, where he attended Shaker Heights High School
Shaker Heights High School
Shaker Heights High School is a public high school located in Shaker Heights, Ohio, USA, in Greater Cleveland. The high school is the only public high school in the Shaker Heights City School District, which serves Shaker Heights and a small part of Cleveland...
, graduating in 2008.
Musical career
On the verge of getting evicted, Baker went to HarlemHarlem
Harlem is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Manhattan, which since the 1920s has been a major African-American residential, cultural and business center. Originally a Dutch village, formally organized in 1658, it is named after the city of Haarlem in the Netherlands...
's Apollo Theater
Apollo Theater
The Apollo Theater in New York City is one of the most famous, and older, music halls in the United States, and the most famous club associated almost exclusively with Black performers...
in March 2009 where he had back-to-back victories, making him the first rapper to ever win at the Apollo Theater
Apollo Theater
The Apollo Theater in New York City is one of the most famous, and older, music halls in the United States, and the most famous club associated almost exclusively with Black performers...
. He records music in his home studio which he refers to as the "Rage Cage". Colson first started to gain exposure when he was featured on MTV2
MTV2
MTV2 is a cable network that is widely available in the United States on digital cable and satellite television, and is progressively being added to analogue cable lineups across the nation...
's Sucker Free Freestyle, where he freestyled numerous verses from his "Chip Off The Block" single. In February 2010, he released his debut mixtape 100 Words and Running. He released his second mixtape in November 2010 titled "Lace Up" which featured the hometown anthem "Cleveland" which is played at Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
home games and is on rotation on Z107.9 in Cleveland. "Lace Up" was recorded in three months in 2010 during a creative burst. He is currently touring, and has forged a friendship with Three 6 Mafia
Three 6 Mafia
Three 6 Mafia are an Academy Award-winning, American rap group originating from Memphis, Tennessee. Formed in 1991 as Triple 6 Mafia, by DJ Paul, Juicy J, & Lord Infamous, the group at its most featured six members including; Crunchy Black, Gangsta Boo and Koopsta Knicca...
's Juicy J
Juicy J
Jordan Michael Houston, better known by his stage name Juicy J is an Academy Award winning American rapper and record producer from Memphis, Tennessee and is the co-founder and a member of the duo Three 6 Mafia . He is also the younger brother of Project Pat...
who tapped Kelly to appear on his track "Boat Load" in January 2011 which was produced by Lex Luger
Lex Luger (producer)
Lexus Arnel Lewis better known by his stage name Lex Luger, is an American record producer from Suffolk, Virginia who is signed to 1017 Brick Squad.-Career:...
the music video for "Boat Load" featured Steve-O
Steve-O
Steve-O is an American stunt performer and television personality. His entertainment career is mostly centered around his performance stunts on the American TV series Jackass and accompanying movies....
from Jackass
Jackass
A jackass is a male donkey.Jackass may also refer to:In entertainment:* Jackass ** Jackass: The Movie, 2002** Jackass Number Two, 2006 film** Jackass 2.5, a DVD release** Jackass: The Game, a video game...
. In March 2011 he participated in his first SXSW show in Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
. At the SXSW show he was approached by Sean Combs
Sean Combs
Sean John Combs , also known by his stage names Diddy and P. Diddy, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur. He has won three Grammy Awards and two MTV Video Music Awards, and his clothing line earned a Council of Fashion Designers of America award. He was originally...
of Dirty Money
Dirty Money
Dirty Money was a UK game show broadcast on Sky One in 2002. It was presented by Marcus Bentley, although only by voice over.The six contestants were each given £500 to start the game. They participated in five rounds of 90 seconds duration each, and had to buzz in to answer questions read by the...
and since then has gained massive exposure throughout the music scene. In 2011 Machine Gun Kelly signed with Bad Boy Records
Bad Boy Records
Bad Boy Records is a record label founded in 1993 by producer/rapper/entrepreneur Sean "Diddy" Combs. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Warner Music Group, and is distributed by Atlantic Records.-Beginnings:...
which is associated with Interscope He was featured on the XV
XV (rapper)
Donavan Johnson better known by his stage name XV is an American rapper, singer and songwriter from Wichita, Kansas. He first gained major attention after the release of his twelfth mixtape Everybody's Nobody. In which he received two awards from DJBooth.net.His name, XV, refers to the age at...
song "Finally Home". On Nov. 15th, Machine Gun Kelly released a music video for the song "Wild Boy" featuring American rapper Waka Flocka Flame
Waka Flocka Flame
Juaquin Malphurs , better known by his stage name Waka Flocka Flame, is an American rapper signed to 1017 Brick Squad and Warner Bros. He is a Southern hip hop artist best known for his singles "O Let's Do It", "Hard in da Paint" & "No Hands", along with his debut album, Flockaveli...
.
Signing to Bad Boy Records/Interscope Records
Machine Gun Kelly was signed by Jimmy Iovine, and Diddy to Interscope, and Bad Boy Records on August 3, 2011. In official statement given, Kelly's debut album is titled "Lace Up" due first quarter of 2012. He has a track in the HTC ReZound commercial.>RapRadar.com: MGK Tears Up Verizon Commercial.Flash Mob Arrest
On August 20, 2011 Machine Gun Kelly organized via his TwitterTwitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
account, @machinegunkelly, a Flash Mob
Flash mob
A flash mob is a group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual and sometimes seemingly pointless act for a brief time, then disperse, often for the purposes of entertainment, satire, artistic expression...
at Strongsville, Ohio's, Westfield SouthPark
Westfield SouthPark
Westfield SouthPark, formerly SouthPark Center, is an enclosed shopping mall located in Strongsville, Ohio. Its anchor stores are Dillard's, Macy's, JCPenney, Sears.-History:...
Mall. After several warnings by mall security to not get on a table, he hopped on a food court table and, along with several members of EST, was arrested by the Strongsville Police. Hours after, he announced on Twitter that he had been released. He also added "If having fun with my fans means I have to get arrested then keep the cuffs out." He along with two other members of EST received citations after arrest and release for Disorderly Conduct and paid fines of $230 each, and are also banned from the Strongsville Mall.
Discography
Albums- 2011/2012: Lace Up (Interscope/Bad Boy)
Mixtapes
- 2012: Young & Reckless (Prod. Drama Beats)
- 2011: Rage Pack
- 2010: Lace Up
- 2010: 100 Words and Running
- 2008: Homecoming
- 2007: Stamp of Approval
- 2006: Certified
Collaborations
- 2011: 8fest Mixtape (Hosted by MGK, and DJ E-V)
- 2010: Differenter Gang (with Travis Porter, and FKI)
- 2010: Best of the Land (Hosted by DJ E-V)
- 2009: Best of the Land 2k9 (Hosted by DJ E-V)