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MGK REINVENTS HIMSELF ON TICKETS TO MY DOWNFALL

Machine Gun Kelly (real name: Richard Colson Baker) burst onto the music scene with a lifetime’s worth of determination in 2012. With the release of his first album “Lace Up,” MGK immediately shot to fame. The talented young rapper who hails from Cleveland, OH, possesses the attitude of rap greats with the talent to match. From his gritty rhymes to his tenacious presence, MGK has become a permanent staple in the hearts of his ever so growing fan base. Penning rhymes about everything from family struggles, relationships and addiction, Kelly, as an artist, embodies every generation’s relentless perseverance toward creating a better future with some good-old-fashioned grit.

MGK released his first mixtape Stamp of Approval in 2006 and built a Cleveland fan base, but it was a trip to New York’s legendary Apollo Theater in 2009 that would skyrocket him to fame. “I got booed as soon as I walked on the Apollo stage, and then I won twice.” MGK became the first rapper in history to win the Apollo talent show.

In 2011, the Ohio native secured a record deal with Jimmy Iovine’s Interscope Records through Diddy’s Bad Boy Records imprint. With the release of his first album, Lace Up, MGK earned a spot at number two on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and clinched an MTV European Music Award. The ability to seamlessly blend hip-hop and rock genres has allowed MGK to reserve a top spot in both worlds. With various punk and rap influences tangled in MGK’s crafty beats and lyrics, the rapper has been able to distinguish himself from the masses. “My punk influences blend into my raps, and a lot of it is in my raspy, grungy voice,” Machine Gun Kelly says. “Punk also gave me a different writing style, I use more words, and it taught me to put my views into my subject matter. Living life and doing what you have to keep moving forward.”

In 2015, he released his 2nd album “General Admission,” following the singles “Till I Die” and “A Little More.” In October 2016, he released the single “Bad Things” (produced by The Futuristics) featuring Camila Cabello, and in February of the following year, it became his biggest hit. In May of that year, he released his 3rd album “Bloom.”

MGK acting chops are quite impressive, starring in Netflix’s TV Show Roadies and the film Dirt, playing Tommy Lee from Motley Crue and Power Project with Jamie Foxx. While filming the film Midnight in the Switchgrass with co-star Megan Fox he entered into a steamy relationship with the sexy siren, calling it the first time he’s been in love.

Now comes Machine Gun Kelly’s real transformation with his new album “Tickets to my Downfall” produced by Travis Barker with collaborations with Halsey, Tripee Redd, blackbear and Iann Dior. The record is explosive and full of catchy hooks and melodies on singles “My Ex’s Best Friend, Kiss Kiss, All I Know, Concert for Aliens, Drunk Face and Bloody Valentine (featuring a hot video with his new love Megan Fox). MGK is in full effect and feels right at home in this new genre, as punk rock has always been part of him and his persona. The album reaks of Midwest power-pop/punk bands from the 90s like Hoarse and gives the nod to Barker’s SoCal sounds of Blink 182 with a bit of Lit thrown in, but Kelly makes it his own and owns it so convincingly that it works to his benefit. As a writer, his charisma and depth shine through with his open heart lyrics about his fucked up lifestyle and addictions that he still hasn’t entirely conquered. Stream this new kickass record and check out more about Machine Gun Kelly at machinegunkelly.com.