Colson Baker[a] (born April 22, 1990), known professionally as MGK (stylized in all lowercase), and formerly Machine Gun Kelly, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and actor.

His second and third albums, General Admission (2015) and Bloom (2017), were both met with critical praise and similar commercial success; the latter was supported by the single "Bad Things" (with Camila Cabello), which peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100.

His 2018 single, "Rap Devil", was a diss track aimed at fellow rapper Eminem, and peaked at number 13 on the chart despite mixed critical response.

MGK's fifth album, Tickets to My Downfall (2020), saw a complete departure from hip-hop in favor of a pop-punk sound and aesthetic, with its production entirely helmed by Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker.

Its sequel, Mainstream Sellout (2022), served as his sixth album and matched its commercial success, although critical reception was mixed.

MGK had his first starring role in the romantic drama Beyond the Lights (2014), and since appeared in the techno-thriller Nerve (2016), the horror Bird Box (2018), the comedy Big Time Adolescence and portrayed Tommy Lee in the Mötley Crüe biopic The Dirt (both 2019).

In 2022, he and Mod Sun made their directorial debuts with the stoner comedy film Good Mourning, which they also wrote, produced, and starred in.

[23] On March 18, 2012, Baker won the MTVu Breaking Woodie award[24] before being featured on the cover of XXL as part of their annual "Top 10 Freshmen list" along with fellow rappers Macklemore, French Montana, Hopsin, Danny Brown, Iggy Azalea, Roscoe Dash, Future, Don Trip and Kid Ink.

The album featured guest appearances from Bun B, Cassie, DMX, Ester Dean, Lil Jon, Tech N9ne, Twista, Waka Flocka Flame, Young Jeezy and Dub-O.

[32] The mixtape also featured guest appearances from French Montana, Kellin Quinn, Dub-O, Sean McGee and Tezo.

[33] On June 4, 2013, Baker posted a picture of a letter on his social media accounts which read: This project is dedicated to love, because for my entire life it has been taken from me.

Months later, a remix of "Till I Die" with hometown fellow hip-hop group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony was confirmed and released on June 5, 2015.

Months later, when I look back at the video [for Till I Die] I [was] like 'Okay, he's in jail, he's shot, he's dead, he snitched' and just to the point where it's sad and I wrote the song to describe how I see the world as a much mature person."

Baker released "Bad Things" in late 2016,[38] a joint single with Camila Cabello, which has reached a peak of number four on the US Billboard Hot 100.

[40] Baker would subsequently pay tribute to Bennington by releasing an acoustic cover of the Linkin Park song "Numb".

[44] On September 21, 2018, Baker released his second extended play (EP), Binge, which had first week sales of 21,519 units and debuted at 24 on the Billboard 200.

[55] On March 17, 2020, he released the song "Bullets with Names", featuring Young Thug, RJMrLA and Lil Duke, a rap track not associated with the album.

[7] Releases included covers of "Misery Business" by Paramore (with Travis Barker), "Champagne Supernova" by Oasis (with Yungblud), and a remix of "My House" by PVRIS.

[62] Throughout October 2020, the four episodes of Halloween in Hell, a fictionalised musical horror podcast that Baker created and starred in, were released.

[63] The podcast was accompanied by the album Audio Up presents: Original Music from Halloween In Hell a soundtrack performed collaboratively by all the actors involved, and written and composed by Jared Gutstadt.

[75] On August 26, 2021, it was announced that he would star in and co-direct the film Good Mourning, alongside Mod Sun, Dove Cameron, Megan Fox and Becky G.[76] On February 5, 2022, MGK performed during the 2022 NHL All-Star Game halftime show in Las Vegas.

[84][85] Baker cites DMX and Eminem as music influences, as well as listening to rock bands Guns N' Roses and Blink-182 during his youth.

[87] Baker made his film debut in the 2014 romantic drama Beyond the Lights, where he played a "shallow, self-important" rapper named Kid Culprit.

[96] He is open about his use of cannabis and has claimed in interviews that he smokes daily, describing it as a "source of happiness and a way people can feel a little more love [in their own right]".

[110] On December 15, 2021, Dr. Dre released a song titled "Gospel" off his new EP The Contract featuring Eminem which also contained shots at Baker.

[111] In January 2022, fans speculated the feud would reignite after TikToker Hannah Neuman (@unluckyp1ckle) resurfaced a 2013 interview with Fuse.tv, wherein a then 23 year old Baker said he had a crush on an underage Kendall Jenner and wouldn't wait until she was 18 to pursue her.

[114] In response to the backlash, Baker tweeted a quote from Eminem's song, "The Way I Am," furthering the speculation about the controversy rekindling their feud.

On August 30, 2018, G-Eazy released the diss track "Bad Boy" against Baker, who responded the next day in a freestyle performed for Hot 97.

Baker took the opportunity to respond to Taylor's comments, beginning his set by asking the crew to light the crowd so he could "see who chose to be here instead of with all the old weird dudes with masks."

"[123][124] In July 2022, Baker admitted in his Life in Pink documentary that he regretted his feud with Taylor and wished that both of them handled the situation better instead of acting "ridiculous".