MGK (Machine Gun Kelly)

by Z3AX  |  January 10, 2012 [Edit]

Richard Colson Baker (born April 22, 1990), better known by his stage name Machine Gun Kelly (most known as MGK), is an American rapper. His stage name was given for his rapid-fire lyrical flow. He is known for releasing his three mixtapes, 100 Words and Running, Lace Up and Rage Pack. 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. On December 14, 2011, Machine Gun Kelly was named the Hottest Breakthrough MC of 2011 by MTV.

On the verge of getting evicted, Baker went to Harlem's Apollo Theater in March 2009 where he had back-to-back victories, making him the first white rapper to ever win at the Apollo Theater. He records music in his home studio which he refers to as the "Rage Cage". Baker 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. In May 2010, he made his national debut with the single and video for "Alice In Wonderland" from the Midwest Block Starz compilation released by Block Starz Music. 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 "Inhale" in January 2011 which was produced by Lex Luger the music video for "Boat Load" featured Steve-O from Jackass.

In February 2012 Machine Gun Kelly hinted on twitter that his long awaited album Half Naked & Almost Famous would be released in March 2012. Machine Gun Kelly tweeted from his twitter page @machinegunkelly "Once March hits ... it's gonna be a wild ride for all of us. We're gonna watch something we've seen come from the bottom rise way up. LTFU".

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. The first single of the album, "Wild Boy" featuring rapper Waka Flocka Flame was released on September 27, 2011. On the week of January 28, 2012, The song debuted on the US Billboard Hot 100 on at number ninety-eight. His song "Invincible" is featured in a commercial for the HTC ReZound as well as the official theme song of WrestleMania XXVIII and WWE also used the song to highlight John Cena on his match with The Rock at the event. It is currently the theme for Thursday Night Football on NFL network. The song was released on iTunes December 16, 2011 featuring singer Ester Dean as the second single of the album. In 2012, Machine Gun Kelly was featured on the cover of XXL as part of their annual "Top 10 Freshmen list" along with fellow rappers Macklemore, French Montana, Hopsin, Danny Brown, Iggy Azalea and Roscoe Dash.

(Last edited by eesen)