Machine Gun Kelly

MGK has a daughter named Casie. Though he is not in relationship with her mother any longer, he maintains a friendly relation with her. In 2015, he confirmed reports of dating hip hop model Amber Rose. The two however called it splits in October 2015.

MGK’s stint with drugs started early. He openly spoke about his addiction and stated that he went through a period of homelessness in 2010 to feed his addiction. To overcome his obsession with drugs, MGK attended a rehabilitation center in which he was aided by a guidance counsellor to combat the addiction. He once even contemplated suicide. Following a brief relapse in 2012, MGK got over his addiction since then.

Richard Colson Baker, better known by his nick name Machine Gin Kelly (MGK), was born on April 22, 1990 in Houston, USA to missionary parents. His family moved all around the world and Kelly spend his early childhood in places such as Egypt, Germany and throughout the United States.

Tragedy struck him early on, as his mother left home. As if this were any less, his father suffered from depression and unemployment. Richard Colson Baker was ridiculed by his friends and neighbours. To find solace, he started listening to rap music.

He studied at Hamilton Middle School and later at Denver’s Thomas Jefferson High School. While at high school, he experimented with drugs. Simultaneously during this time, he recorded his first amateur demo tape, ‘Stamp of Approval’.

Later, Richard Colson Baker enrolled at Shaker Heights High School. It was here that music career began. He convinced a local t-shirt shop owner to double as his MC Manager. It was during this time that Baker gained his stage name Machine Gun Kelly (MGK) by his fans due to his rapid fire delivery, a named that stuck with him for life.

In 2006, Machine Gun Kelly released the mixtape ‘Stamp of Approval’. The response was overwhelming as it built a reputation for MGK as a performer and an artist. He began performing at local Cleveland venues.

His early break came with the 2009 victory at Apollo Theatre, the first-ever by a rapper. He then gained the national spotlight when he was featured on MTV2's Sucker Free Freestyle, where he free-styled numerous verses from his ‘Chip off the Block’ single.

In February 2010, he released his second mixtape ‘100 Words and Running’, where he derived his catchphrase, ‘Lace Up’, which started as a mixtape interlude, before making it a prominent reference in his music. Concurrently, MGK worked at Chipotle to support living.

In May 2010, MGK made his national debut with the single ‘Alice in Wonderland’. The song was released via Block Starz Music on iTunes. It received a wide positive reception and also earned MGK the Best Midwest Artist award at the 2010 Underground Music Awards.

In November 2010, MGK released his second mixtape titled ‘Lace Up’. It featured the hometown anthem ‘Cleveland’. Following this, he appeared on the Juicy J track ‘Inhale’, which also featured Steve-O from the television series Jackass in the music video.

Machine Gun Kelly’s biggest achievement early in his career came with his debut album ‘Lace Up’ which released in October 2012. The album debuted at number 4 on the US Billboard 200. Its lead single ‘Wild Boy’ peaked on the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 98. The album was soon certified gold by the RIAA.

MGK’s second studio album ‘General Admission’ released in October 2015. It debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200 and at number one on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.