Machine Gun Kelly

Machine Gun Kelly was featured on allhiphop.com as the "Heater of the Day" for his song "Hell Yeah" - AllHipHop.com

What do Bubba Sparxxx and Paul Wall all have in common with Machine Gun Kelly? They all brought a fresh new flava and a fresh new style to the rap game.

At first glance upon meeting the rapper, my impression was yea right, he gone do what? Once I sat down and spoke to the artist I soon realize the word's up and coming wouldn't be appearing in my story about him. He was that good.
Meeting MGK Machine Gun Kelly


Born Colson "Kelly" Baker on April 22, 1990 in Houston, TX the 6'3" blonde hair boy wonder, has wowed audiences for the past three years. His lyrical style of quick words that explode like gunfire earned him the moniker Machine Gun in front of his Kelly.

The high-energy 17-year-old doesn't waste time on songs that he can't put his heart into. His sure to be a hit, release single "Hustler's Motivation" is a prime example of where this young man is coming from.

At an early age MGK, Machine Gun Kelly, and his father moved to Denver. He used rap as a way to fit in. By the time he was 12, MGK entered a battle with high school kids, and won!

His experience of being the only white kid in an all ethnic environment is "the foundation of my life and why I choose to put my heart in every word" stated Kelly, "being white makes me work harder at the game." "I know this is a Black man's game and I have to be better than they expect me to be."

This smart performer uses his disadvantage to his advantage. He knows people see Eminem wanna be and uses it to get the attention needed to show what Machine Gun Kelly is all about.

This independent artist who is currently waiting to be signed to a label, has opened for fellow veteran rappers like Bone Thugs In Harmony, Crime Rob, and Young Joc. His following has lead to him being nominated for Best New Artist at the Ohio Hip-Hop Awards for 2007.

I asked MGK how he was discovered. His first response was a little chuckle which lead to this story. It was four years ago and it was his first day in Cleveland. He walked into Sly Airbrush to get a shirt made and discovered that Sly, the store owner, was also a manager and producer. The next day he returned to the store with a demo in his hand and a gleam in his eye. Sly listened to the demo and declined the then very young Kelly.

The next day Sly came to open the store, there was MGK sitting and waiting for him. Persistence and determination now his motivation, everyday for four months he was in the store until Sly agreed to hire him...as retail staff. After a few months of prodding, Sly finally agreed to work
Meeting MGK Machine Gun Kelly
with Kelly.

MGK is a clean-cut, disciplined hip hop artist who knows the value of fans and being sincere. He is as real as it gets. He admits he's not "gangsta", but "I've been through some things." Being raised in a single parent home and moving a lot with his father gave him the "things" to write about. The now straight A student at Shaker Heights H.S. in Ohio is quick witted and has been in constant motion since my arrival.

A few bypassers stop in Sly Airbrush noticing something is going on, only to realize it is MGK causing the commotion. Yep, you guessed it we were interrupted by fans...who knew! This lead to an impromptu performance of "Hustler's Motivation", it was then that I saw that look.

I've only seen that look in a performer's eye twice. The first time was in Beyonce and again in DMX. Machine Gun Kelly comes out with a bang when he raps and Kelly fades away. I found myself listening with my mouth open and noticed that everything in the room, but MGK, stopped.

After receiving fans he walks back over to me and I ask, what song inspired him to want to rap. He immediately fired "We Right Here by DMX". I laughed and said "you get the same look in your eye that he has when performing." The look he gave me after that statement I had just made wasn't as unique as the one I got when I asked about his fan club "my what? I have a fan club, on Myspace? I didn't know that."

I know inquiring minds want to know, he does not have a girlfriend, laughingly stating, "I can't do that to a girl and have her stuck with me. I'm polite". The bright young star does seem to have an admirable respect for women, when cornered with the video vixen question his basic opinion was that he didn't want to surround himself with those type of women, but instead would choose put respectable attractive young ladies into his videos. "Nothin' against their hustle."

When asked how he feels about being in the music biz in Cleveland he responded "if you can make it here you can make it anywhere. Cleveland is a tough town." "Being in the Midwest just makes me work harder. I want to put it on the map and shake up the East Coast-West Coast talk."

Based on his newly released CD, Stamp of Approval, he has the power to do just that. The CD took him three years to complete. Working diligently with beat master Jay Price and taking direction from his manager Sly Airbrush, Machine Gun Kelly is a weapon to be reckoned with. This 17 years
Meeting MGK Machine Gun Kelly
young rapper is on a direct path to reach his goal, to be on top by age 21. - Associated Content

Summer Jam -Colby Colb walks the Red Carpet of Summer Jam with Rick Ross, Plies, Machine Gun Kelly, Wacka Flocka, Trina, CJ Platinum, Tierra Marie, Britini Elise ,& More. Find out the Inside Scoop - Cleveland z107.9 FM

From the early stages of his life, Machine Gun Kelly [MGK] has understood what it means to be on the road. Relocating 10 times before finally settling in his current home of Cleveland, Ohio, MGK has been everywhere from Los Angeles to Egypt learning how to communicate with all people and nationalities through the one constant in his life, music.

Earning his moniker through his rapid-fire delivery, MGK has been able to impress crowds from Cleveland to St. Louis to Paris, France. Being the first rapper to ever win at the famed Apollo Theatre in New York, Machine Gun Kelly understands the meaning of hard work and dedication. His stage presence garnered him an Ohio Hip Hop Award for “Best Live Performance” this past year, as well as a feature performance on “MTV’s My Super Sweet 16?.

MGK recently teamed up with Grammy Awards winning artist’ Rock City, and created the hit record “Leave Me Alone”. He has been featured on numerous mixtapes including DJ EV’s “Monsters vs. Aliens 2”, Rock City’s “Lost Files”, along with hosting DJ Soulless’ “Vendetta 10”.

2010 has come roaring in and MGK feels more comfortable than ever when looking towards the future. His first music video was released on New Years day for his track “Alice in Wonderland” which has set the tone for the remainder of the year. He knows he has a long way to go to reach his destiny, but he is confident that he is on his way to the top. - Cleveland z107.9 FM

The 147th entry in our DJBooth.net Freestyle Series comes courtesy of Machine Gun Kelly, the Cleveland native who brought us reader-approved cut Leave Me Alone in late January. On his brand new, exclusive Off Campus freestyle, the currently unsigned emcee flows over original boardwork by Killah Kalam. Machine Gun Kelly is currently busy promoting his mixtape debut, 100 Words & Running, and working on a follow-up entitled Kellyvision. Watch for the artist’s latest single, What It Seems, along with an official video, to debut in mid-March.
- DJ Booth

Though inspired by the notorious Prohibition-era gangster who helped popularize the term “G-Man,” Booth newcomer Machine Gun Kelly‘s stage name has less to do with literal firearms than with the Cleveland native’s knack for lightning-fast flows. On newly-released promo single Leave Me Alone, leaked back in October ‘09 but presented here in its finished form, the up-and-comer reminds us that technically dazzling rhymes and emotional resonance are in no way mutually exclusive. Backed by a reflective, acoustic guitar-synth instrumental by Booth-acclaimed duo Rock City (who also contribute a memorable hook), Kelly vents his frustrations regarding haters, self-doubt and, of course, the relentless grind, building momentum from his conversational opening bars to a double-time grand finale. The rapper ends the record with a promise to keep it one-hundred and not start “[living] like Miley Cyrus.” If he can hold to that, it’s a good bet the 19-year-old emcee has a bright future ahead of him. Digging this promo track? Keep it locked to the Booth for more from the promising up-and-comer.
- DJ Booth

When you think of Machine Gun Kelly, automatically the notorious gangster of the prohibition era of the 1920's and 30's comes to your mind. But this Machine Gun Kelly is far from being a violent criminal. He got his start by rapping at the famous New York Apollo Theatre; there he was the first rapper to ever win Amateur Night at Apollo. Not once but twice he wooed the crowd with his impeccable rhymes. We all know that the New York masses can be harsh but MGK should be granted a crown for his legendary show.



MGK's life revolves around his music and its shows. He relocated ten times before finally settling down in Cleveland, Ohio. The international rapper has been from Los Angeles to Egypt learning the different cultures by communicating through his music. He won't be described as the next Eminem, but a humble person who appreciate a high quality melody.



Let us start with your stage name Machine Gun Kelly. The original Machine Gun Kelly was an American gangster during the early 50's; so are you trying to be like him in terms of your lyrics?



Very common question but also a very common misconception. My image and lyrical content is far from that of a gangster, so I guess the answer is no. But the "Machine Gun" for me was derived from my rapid-fire delivery on the track and of course the "Kelly" came from the original gangster.



How did you feel when you were the first rapper to win at New York's famed Apollo Theater?



There's actually a video of me winning the Apollo for the second time on YouTube and if you look at my face when they announce, "The first place winner is...MGK!" you see true happiness. Like if I ever needed to describe what victory, success, happiness, love, pain, and struggle all felt like in a nutshell, that quick 5 second clip would be it.



The Apollo crowd can be tough, how did you impress them to hear you out?



They boo'd me as soon as I walked out onto the stage the first time, before I could even put the mic up to my mouth so I definitely didn't have it easy. But I give credit to the song selection. Rappers don't last 10 seconds on that stage and even though I'm a rapper, the song was universal; I chose a record that was catchy, fast-pace, and most importantly, relatable.



Why did you relocate ten times before finally finding a home?



Because my father couldn't keep his mouth closed at work or something, I don't know [laughs]. But I just know that he had numerous jobs which led to us moving all over the world.



Do you think traveling across the world has gained you a better understanding of what people like in Hip-Hop or music in general?



Most definitely! America is the greatest country in the world but Americans as a whole are ignorant, we are scared of change. Those qualities don't carry on overseas from what I've seen.



Does the single Homecoming reflect you settling down in Cleveland, Ohio?



Homecoming is a statement to my fans, friends, and family that I'm not falling victim to the "Hollywood syndrome" and that I will remain the humble young man I was when I entered the game.



What was your inspiration behind the track Alice In Wonderland? The video is doing good numbers on YouTube.



Because of how vivid the song's message was in my mind when I wrote it, it was meant to be accompanied with a visual. The music video is filled with metaphorical images, and the video/song itself is one big metaphor. What that metaphor actually is...I'll have to let the viewers keep guessing, but I can tell you it's more then the obvious "get high, trippy" vibe listeners may get at first.



Why do you think people like your lyrics or what is it that makes you stand out?



There are a lot of emotions in the forefront of my records. I don't release anything I don't feel because if I don't feel it how can I expect my listener too. So, I guess I feel it's their ability to relate to what I have to say.



What type of genre of music you combine in your songs?



Hip-Hop, Pop, Soul, Underground, and the occasional House/Techno vibe.



Which rappers do you consider as competition? The likes of Asher Roth, John Brown etc.?



Asher Roth and John Brown are the last people on my mind when it comes to competition. I respect them as people, but their careers are a gimmick in my opinion. Rappers in general are great, but the true competition comes from those who have the ability to do more than just rap, and those are artists like Drake and B.o.B.



Would you say that you are the next Eminem? At least it must be your goal to reach what he has accomplished.



I would be honored to say that, and I can only dream to achieve what he has and make the same impact on this industry as Eminem but at the end of the day, my actions will make the decision if I will or not. I'd like to say I'm on my way.



What projects are you currently working on?



First and foremost, my Alice In Wonderland music video was released via YouTube/Video in early 2010 so check that out asap! I'm following that up with my 100 Words and Running mixtape with Mr. Peter Parker of Shadyville DJs and all of this leads up to my big release...KellyVision.



What can people expect from Machine Gun Kelly in 2010?



Success.



In the end, let the people know where they can find you online.



I'm very active on Twitter at twitter.com/machinegunkelly, Facebook...search for Machine Gun Kelly, and YouTube at youtube.com/machinegunkellyak. Of course we still have the MySpace at myspace.com/machinegunkellyak. - Yo!Raps

Flyover America never sounded so hot!

Leading independent online music promotor Block Starz Music is looking to burn up dance floors across the heartland this summer with "Midwest Block Starz", the third installment of its critically-acclaimed regional compilation series featuring high-profile appearances by chart-topping platinum rap star Twista, Grammy Award winner Rhymefest, former first lady of Ludacris' Disturbing Tha Peace camp, Shawnna, XXL Magazine "Freshman Ten" honoree and Kanye West protege Big Sean, Phonte of Little Brother, and Mickey Rocks of the Cool Kids.

This stellar list of national recording artists bolsters an explosive "Midwest Block Starz" lineup featuring sixteen hot regional newcomers, including 2009 Underground Music Awards "Best Midwest Artist" Slick Watts, 2009 Ohio Hip Hop Awards "Best Performer" Machine Gun Kelly, Chi-town's Skooda Chose, Cleveland's Tugun Cannon, St. Louis representative Will Victory, Topeka, Kansas lyricist Mike Schpitz, and Korean rapper/Wisconsin native Smokes.

"Dance Floor" by former Game protege Tugun Cannon and Nappy Boy (T-Pain) artist Shawnna (Battle of the Sexes) is the first single from "Midwest Block Starz" impacting regional radio. Produced by Pro & Brave (Celine Dion), the infectious track will have teens and college students steaming up clubs throughout the bible belt this summer, as will the follow up high-energy radio single, “Bodyguard” by Will Victory. Smalltown, USA is about to explode! - Midwest Block Starz