Few artists in the music industry have undergone a transformation as remarkable as Colson Baker, better known by his stage name Machine Gun Kelly. Throughout the years, he experimented and reinvented himself several times, starting his career in the hip-hop/rap scene and then transitioning into pop-punk. For several years, Colson went by Machine Gun Kelly, but in recent times, he seemingly made a little change, simply going by MGK. On streaming platforms, he changed his stage name, and even his latest project—the collaborative EP “genre: sadboy”—was released under the name MGK. But how did Colson become Machine Gun Kelly first and MGK then?
Related
Colson Baker was born on April 22, 1990, in Houston, Texas. Raised in a working-class family, he faced numerous challenges growing up. Despite the hardships, Baker found solace in music and began exploring his passion for hip-hop at a young age. In the early 2000s, he began releasing his first materials and gaining attention in the rap scene, and it was then that he decided to adopt Machine Gun Kelly as a stage name. The name is inspired by his rapid-fire delivery and energetic performances. In 2012, the time for his breakout arrived with the release of his debut album, “Lace Up,” which featured hit singles like “Wild Boy” and “Invincible.”
After years of rapping, Machine Gun Kelly brought his artistry to new horizons when he met Travis Barker and, inspired by artists like Blink-182 and Green Day, began experimenting with pop-punk and rock music. This period of exploration culminated in the release of his fifth studio album, “Tickets to My Downfall,” in 2020. The album marked a strong departure from his previous work, embracing a pop-punk sound.
Four years later, it’s time for another change. Baker suddenly turned from Machine Gun Kelly to MGK, but what propelled him to this change after so many years? While the singer hasn’t revealed the reasons behind this decision yet, it appears to be a response to public concerns that his original name was glorifying the use of guns. The issue was brought to light when two fans protested at one of his concerts in 2022, urging him to change his name. However, the stage name change might also be the first step towards a new musical era. In fact, a few weeks ago, MGK unveiled an impressive new black tattoo that covers almost his entire upper body.
Today (April 22nd), Machine Gun Kelly, now known as MGK, turns 34 and stands as one of the most influential artists in the music industry.
InMusic 