Is MGK still making music?

MGK, also known as Machine Gun Kelly, is an American rapper and actor who rose to fame in 2012 with the release of his mixtape “Half Naked & Almost Famous”. Since then, he has continued to be an active force in the music industry, evolving his sound over time and collaborating with other popular artists.

MGK’s Early Music Career

MGK, whose real name is Colson Baker, was born in Houston, Texas in 1990. He began rapping as a teenager and released his first mixtape in 2006 under the name Machine Gun Kelly. In 2011, he was featured on XV’s “Finally Home” and caught the attention of Bad Boy Records founder Sean “Diddy” Combs. This led to MGK signing with Bad Boy and Interscope Records in early 2012.

His major label debut came in October 2012 with the release of his fourth mixtape, “Half Naked & Almost Famous”. It featured his first single “Wild Boy”, which would eventually be certified platinum. The mixtape debuted at number 46 on the Billboard 200 chart. MGK continued his rise with the release of his debut studio album “Lace Up” later that month, which debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200 and number 2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

Songs like “Wild Boy”, “Invincible” and “Hold On (Shut Up)” helped establish MGK’s high-energy rap-rock aesthetic and wild, rebellious persona. Critics gave the album mixed reviews, but it sold over 178,000 copies and was considered a commercial success.

Transition to Pop Punk

After releasing his sophomore album “General Admission” in 2015, MGK’s music took a pop punk turn with the 2017 single “Bad Things” with Camila Cabello. The song peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was MGK’s first Top 10 hit.

He further embraced the pop punk sound with his third studio album “Hotel Diablo” in 2019 and the hit single “I Think I’m Okay” with Travis Barker and Yungblud. The song reached number 15 on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart.

In 2020, MGK released the pop punk album “Tickets to My Downfall” produced with Travis Barker. It debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, becoming his first chart-topping album. Several songs like “Bloody Valentine”, “My Ex’s Best Friend” and “Drunk Face” gained significant popularity and introduced MGK to a newer generation of fans.

Collaborations

MGK has frequently collaborated with other artists, especially as he transitioned to pop punk. Some notable collaborations include:

  • “Bad Things” with Camila Cabello (2016)
  • “Champions” with Fall Out Boy, Quavo, Pusha T (2016)
  • “I Think I’m Okay” with Travis Barker, Yungblud (2019)
  • Album “Tickets to My Downfall” produced by Travis Barker (2020)
  • “My Ex’s Best Friend” with blackbear (2020)
  • “Lonely” with Justin Bieber (2020)
  • “Forget Me Too” with Halsey (2021)
  • “Papercuts” with Willow (2021)

These collaborations with major artists like Justin Bieber, Halsey and Travis Barker have exposed MGK’s music to wider audiences outside of rap and hip-hop.

Acting Career

In addition to his music career, MGK has also pursued acting. He made his film debut in the 2014 romantic drama “Beyond the Lights”. Some other notable acting roles include:

  • Tommy Lee in “The Dirt” (2019)
  • Felix in “Bird Box” (2018)
  • Wesley in “Nerve” (2016)
  • Doc in “Punk’s Dead: SLC Punk 2” (2016)
  • Jason in “Viral” (2016)

Juggling both music and an acting career, MGK remains busy. Acting in films brings him publicity outside of just the music world.

Recent Music Career (2021-Present)

MGK shows no signs of slowing down music-wise. In 2021, he released his 5th studio album “Born with Horns” which featured hits like “Papercuts”, “Make Up Sex” and “Emo Girl” with Willow Smith. The album debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200.

He was nominated for Favorite Rock Artist at the 2021 American Music Awards. He also won Rock Artist of the Year and Rock Album of the Year for “Tickets to My Downfall” at the iHeartRadio Music Awards in 2021.

In 2022, MGK released the single “Ay!” with Lil Wayne which reached number 13 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart. He also collaborated with Swedish rock band Royal & the Serpent on the single “Party’s Over”.

MGK kicked off 2023 touring internationally with his “Mainstream Sellout Tour”. He continues to release new singles like “God Save Me” in January 2023. MGK remains one of the top rock/pop punk artists popular among younger generations. His eclectic style and collaborations keep his music fresh and evolving.

MGK’s Relationship with Megan Fox

Beyond his music, MGK’s high-profile relationship with actress Megan Fox keeps him in the public eye. The two first met in 2020 on the set of the indie thriller “Midnight in the Switchgrass” and confirmed their relationship in June 2020.

Fox stars in the music video for MGK’s “Bloody Valentine” and has accompanied him on red carpets. MGK has said she is his muse and inspiration for his recent album “Born with Horns”.

In January 2022, MGK and Fox announced their engagement and plan to get married. Their punk rock fashion, over-the-top PDA and eccentric styles make them a paparazzi magnet.

MGK’s Influence and Musical Evolution

While MGK originated from a hip-hop background, he is now considered one of the leading forces in the pop punk revival movement. Artists like jxdn and KennyHoopla have cited him as an influence in the genre. His success mixing rap, rock and pop punk has inspired newer sounds.

His musical evolution and flexibility has allowed him to remain relevant. While some view his pivot to pop punk as a strategic move, it has undoubtedly expanded his fanbase and popularity, especially among younger audiences.

As MGK experiments with new styles like pop punk, emo rap, and indie rock, only time will tell what he tries next. However, his willingness to take risks makes it unlikely he will fade from popularity anytime soon.

What’s Next for MGK?

MGK shows no signs of stopping his blazing career. So far in 2023, he has:

  • Released new singles “God Save Me” and “Emotional”
  • Continued touring internationally
  • Teased a new studio album potentially coming later this year

Based on his prolific output and constant collabs, fans can expect even more new music and projects from MGK soon. There are also rumors he may start his own music festival.

On the acting side, he is set to appear in the upcoming Sandra Bullock romantic comedy “Lost City of D” in March 2023. This role could expose him to wider mainstream audiences.

In his personal life, fans anticipate his wedding to Megan Fox sometime in 2023. Their relationship and marriage are sure to make headlines.

At just 32 years old, MGK remains one of pop punk’s most relevant and energizing forces. His willingness to take creative risks makes his future direction hard to predict, but it will likely include more genre-blending songs, collabs, acting and tunes that resonate with outcasts and misfits.

Conclusion

MGK shows no signs of fading away or slowing down his music career. He has successfully reinvented his sound multiple times from hip-hop to pop punk, all while retaining his rebellious spirit and remaining culturally relevant.

With his latest album “Born with Horns” debuting at number 1 in 2021 and his 2022 world tour, MGK remains one of the hottest rock/pop punk artists today. His relationship with Megan Fox keeps him in celebrity news. He also continues acting in films which cross-promotes his music.

At just 32 years old, expect MGK to keep dropping new singles, collaborating with top artists, touring sold-out shows and evolving his punk rock sound. For the foreseeable future, Machine Gun Kelly remains a vibrant force in the music scene.

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