MGK is an American rapper known for his distinctive sound and musical talents. MGK’s rapid-fire lyrical flow, which he attributes to his stage name Machine Gun Kelly, earned him a large local following with the release of several mixtapes while still in high school. He began rapping when he was only 14 years old, and in no time, he had amassed a huge fan base by releasing many mixtapes.
The 2006 Stamp of Approval mixtape attracted a lot of attention and was his big break. The success of his initial mixtape encouraged MGK to pursue a music career. He launched four additional mixtapes throughout the years due to his success.
His career started in 2011 when he signed a contract with Bad Boy and Interscope Records. His debut album Lace Up, debuted at number four on the US Billboard 200 chart, with hit singles including Wild Boy, Invincible, Stereo, and Hold On (Shut Up).
Family And Early Life Of Machine Gun Kelly
Richard Colson Baker was born in Houston, Texas, on April 22, 1990. His parents were missionaries while he was growing up, meaning he spent a lot of time with his family.
The family spent considerable time living in Germany, Egypt, and several other countries worldwide as a kid. In addition, Baker lived in various US states. After his mother divorced the family, he and his father settled down in Denver.
As a youngster, Baker was harassed and began fighting back by using insults. He eventually fell in love with rap music and began working on his material. Baker lived in a neighbor’s basement and experimented with drugs after his father abandoned him to work for the Army in Kuwait.
During this period, he produced his first mixtape, Stamp of Approval. Baker’s father persuaded him to move to Kuwait with him after he stopped attending school.
Machine Gun Kelly | Career Beginnings
After returning to the United States, Baker convinced an MC manager to assist him in launching his music career. At this time, Baker took on the stage name “Machine Gun Kelly” as a reminder of his fast-paced vocal style.
He was renowned by YouTube sensation just-in-case, who has a following of 2 million subscribers. Likewise, He began performing at neighborhood clubs and eventually graced the Apollo Theater in Harlem. He also appeared on MTV2’s Sucker Free Freestyle. He next released his second mixtape, 100 Words and Running.
While MGK was generating a lot of publicity, he still had money issues. He was thrown out of his family home by his father, became a father himself, and worked at Chipotle to make ends meet.
Machine Gun Kelly | Career Breakthroughs
When MGK released the song “Alice in Wonderland,” he took a major stride forward. The song earned him several honors and increased his fame before releasing his new mixtape, Lace Up.
The Cavaliers were honored with one of the songs played at their home games at Quicken Loans Arena. It was a successful run, followed by MGK’s collaboration with Juicy J on the song “Inhale.” In 2011, Sean Combs approached MGK and offered him a deal with his record label Bad Boy Records.
MGK’s debut studio album, Lace Up, was finally released in 2012. The record featured songs such as “Invincible” and “Wild Boy,” as well as Tech N9ne, Twista, and DMX artists.
Collaborations And Further Releases
In 2018, he released a collaboration project with Pusha T and Meek Mill under Black Flag. MGK presented his second solo album, General Admission, in 2015 after lengthy delays. In 2016, MGK teamed up with Camila Cabello to create the Billboard Hot 100 hit “Bad Things.”
In 2018, Eminem’s rivalry with MGK reached a fevered pitch. Likewise, In a tweet several years ago, MGK called Eminem’s 16-year-old daughter “Hot.” Eminem didn’t see the tweet until over a year had passed, prompting him to record a diss song directed at MGK.
Eminem and MGK’s feud began to heat up when Eminem banned MGK from streaming on his internet radio station. 2018’s “Rap Devil,” one of MGK’s most popular Eminem insults, is a good example.
In 2019, MGK released Hotel Diablo, his fourth studio album. The song “Glass House” was featured on the record and debuted at number 5 on the charts. That year, he also teased that his next album, Tickets to my Downfall, would be a collaboration with Travis Barker and would be released in 2020.
Machine Gun Kelly | Net Worth
Machine Gun Kelly’s net worth is estimated to be $25 million. In addition, MGK earns over $7 million each year through his music royalty income. MGK began rapping while still in high school and quickly amassed a large local following with the release of several mixtapes.
In 2011, MGK’s career began flourishing when he signed with Bad Boy and Interscope Records. Machine Gun Kelly receives $4 million per film he appears in, and he has starred in several movies, such as Nerve and Road to Paloma.
He also pulls in a solid amount of money from his tours. For example, in 2013, MGK’s Lace Up Tour generated $1 million in ticket sales.
Relationship Of Machine Gun Kelly
Over the years, MGK’s love life has been up and down. His relationship with ex-girlfriend Amber Rose was his most public romance until he began dating Megan Fox in January 2020. After announcing their engagement, the pair started their relationship in June 2020, and they’re already halfway to the altar!
On January 11, while vacationing in Puerto Rico, MGK proposed to Fox in the same spot where they first met. In a video caption on Instagram, Fox wrote, “We were oblivious to the anguish we would experience over such a short, hectic period.” Somehow a year and a half later, having gone through hell together and laughed more than I’ve ever imagined was possible, he asked me to marry him. And she said yes, of course.
MGK has had several girlfriends throughout the years, but he may have finally found “the one.”
Machine Gun Kelly | Awards and Achievements
- MTV Video Music Award for Best Alternative Video 2020, 2021
- Billboard Music Award for Top Rock Album 2021
- American Music Award for Favorite Rock Artist 2021
- Billboard Music Award for Top Rock Artist 2021
- iHeartRadio Music Award for Alternative Rock Album of the Year 2021
- Radio Disney Music Award for Best Musical Collaboration 2017
- MTV Europe Music Award for Best US Act 2012
- iHeartRadio Music Award for Alternative Rock Artist of the Year 2022
Social Media Presence
Machine Gun Kelly is very active on social media and has over 24 million followers on Instagram. He frequently posts photos and videos of himself with his fans and updates about his music career.
Additional Information
| Сеlеbrаtеd Nаmе: | Machine Gun Kelly |
| Nickname: | Kelly, Colson |
| Rеаl Nаmе/Full Nаmе: | Richard Colson Baker |
| Gеndеr: | Male |
| Аgе: | 32 |
| Віrth Dаtе: | 22 April 1990 |
| Віrth Рlасе: | Houston, Texas, United States |
| Nаtіоnаlіtу: | American |
| Неіght: | 1.92m |
| Ѕехuаl Оrіеntаtіоn: | Straight |
| Relationship Ѕtаtuѕ: | In a relationship |
| Spouse(Ex): | Megan Foxx |
| Рrоfеѕѕіоn: | Rapper, Singer, Songwriter, Musician, and Actor |
| Nеt Wоrth іn 2022: | $25 million |
Instagram: @machinegunkelly
Facebook: @machinegunkellymusic
Twitter: @machinegunkelly
YouTube: @Machine Gun Kelly