- Machine Gun Kelly (rapper)
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Machine Gun Kelly Birth name Colson Baker Born April 22, 1990 (21) Origin Cleveland, Ohio Genres Hip hop Occupations Rapper Years active 2009–present Labels EST, Bad Boy, Interscope Associated acts Travis Porter, Chip tha Ripper, Dubo Website http://www.mgklaceup.com/ Richard Colson Baker [1] (born April 22, 1990) best known by his stage name Machine Gun Kelly or MGK is an American rapper from Cleveland, Ohio. His stage name was given for his rapid-fire lyrical flow. He is known for his two mixtapes, 100 Words and Running and Lace Up. He also has been featured in XXL.[2] 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.[3]
Contents
Biography
Early life
Colson Baker was born in 1990, in Texas to missionary parents and took up residence in Egypt, Germany, Chicago, L.A., Denver and Ohio.[1] Since he lived the first four years of his life in Egypt, he spoke Arabic before English.[4] He started listening to rap at the age of four when he went to a predominantly black school in Denver.[4] At 14, Baker moved to his now hometown Cleveland, where he attended Shaker Heights High School, graduating in 2008.[4]
Musical career
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 rapper to ever win at the Apollo Theater.[1] He records music in his home studio which he refers to as the "Rage Cage".[4] Colson 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.[1] 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.[1] "Lace Up" was recorded in three months in 2010 during a creative burst.[4] He is currently touring and has forged a friendship with Three 6 Mafia's Juicy J who tapped Kelly to appear on his track "Boat Load" in January 2011 which was produced by Lex Luger The Music video for "Boat Load" featured Steve-O from Jackass.[1] In March 2011 he participated in his first SXSW show in Austin, Texas. At the SXSW show he was approached by Sean Combs of Dirty Money and since then has gained massive exposure throughout the music scene. In 2011 Machine Gun Kelly signed with Bad Boy Records which is associated with Interscope[5] He was featured on the XV song "Finally Home".[6] On Nov. 15th, Machine Gun Kelly released a music video for the song "Wild Boy" featuring American rapper Waka Flocka Flame.
Signing to Bad Boy Records/Interscope Records
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. Artists involved on the album are Diddy, Travis Porter and Chip tha Ripper.
Flash Mob Arrest
On August 20, 2011 Machine Gun Kelly organized via his Twitter account, @machinegunkelly, a Flash Mob at Strongsville, Ohio's, Westfield SouthPark Mall. After several warnings by mall security to not get on a table, he hopped on a food court table and, along with several members of EST, was arrested by the Strongsville Police. Hours after, he announced on Twitter that he had been released. He also added "If having fun with my fans means I have to get arrested then keep the cuffs out." [7]
He along with two other members of EST received citations after arrest and release for Disorderly Conduct and paid fines of $230 each, and are also banned from the Strongsville Mall.
Discography
- Albums
- 2011/2012: "Lace Up" (Interscope/Bad Boy)
- Mixtapes
- 2012: "Young & Reckless" Prod. Drama Beats
- 2011: Rage Pack
- 2010: "Lace Up"
- 2010: "100 Words and Running"
- 2008: "Homecoming"
- 2007: "Stamp Of Approval"
- 2006: "Certified"
- Collaborations
- 2011 "8fest Mixtape" Hosted by MGK -DJ E-V
- 2010: "Differenter Gang" With Travis Porter, and FKI
- 2010 "Best of the Land" -DJ E-V
- 2009 "Best of the Land 2k9" DJ E-V
References
- ^ a b c d e f XXL Mag April 2011; "Show & Prove" (Machine Gun Kelly)
- ^ “Who Can Get Busy”: XXL’s Feature On the Growing Trend of White Rappers [April 2011 Magazine Exerpt. Xxlmag.Com. Retrieved on 2011-08-24.
- ^ Machine Gun Kelly Announces Deal With Bad Boy/Interscope: 'They Understood Our Idea'. VIBE. Retrieved on 2011-08-24.
- ^ a b c d e Cleveland's own Machine Gun Kelly is riding a wave of 'raging' rap. cleveland.com. Retrieved on 2011-08-24.
- ^ Video: Machine Gun Kelly – Naked & Almost Famous (Ep.1). The Source (2011-03-20). Retrieved on 2011-08-24.
- ^ New Music: XV x Machine Gun Kelly “Finally Home”. Rap Radar (2011-02-22). Retrieved on 2011-08-24.
- ^ Rapper Machine Gun Kelly due in Strongsville Mayor's Court Thursday in flash-mob arrest | cleveland.com. Blog.cleveland.com. Retrieved on 2011-08-24.
External links
Categories:- Living people
- American rappers
- Rappers from Ohio
- 1990 births
- People from Shaker Heights, Ohio
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