Colson Baker, better known as MGK (formerly Machine Gun Kelly), was born on April 22, 1990, in Houston, Texas, and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. He is a rapper, singer, songwriter, producer, actor, and guitarist, known for his versatile style that spans hip-hop, rap rock, pop punk, and alternative rock.
He began his musical journey as a teenager, releasing several independent mixtapes from 2006 through 2010, before signing with a major label. His debut studio album Lace Up came out in 2012, reaching number four on the US charts and bringing him his first mainstream exposure with standout singles. Subsequent albums like General Admission (2015) and Bloom (2017) demonstrated his growth as an artist, while Hotel Diablo marked a period of darker and more intense sonic exploration.
His 2020 release, Tickets to My Downfall, marked a decisive shift to pop punk, with production led by Travis Barker, resulting in some of his most commercially successful work. The follow-up, Mainstream Sellout (2022), continued in that vein, and his latest album Lost Americana (2025) further fuses rock aesthetics with personal and emotionally candid songwriting.
Beyond music, MGK has built a career in acting—appearing in films and television—broadening his creative expression. His style is characterized by emotional vulnerability, honest storytelling, high-energy performances, and a capacity for reinvention that keeps his sound relevant and his audience engaged.
