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
Early life
Richard Colson Baker was born in 1990 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
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 Freestyle, where he freestyled numerous verse's 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.<refname="XXL" /> 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"
Signing to Bad Boy Records/Interscope Records
Machine Gun Kelly was signed by Jimmy Iovine and P. 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.
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 of his buddies, was arrested by the Strongsville Police. Hours after, he annouced 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 whoever got arrested was fined $400 and received a court date on Thursday August 25, 2011. Machine Gun Kelly posted on Twitter two days after his arrest saying, "For all the media saying I'm going to court Thursday, etc. etc. Sorry, but i won't be showing up, I have a show to be at and fans to see.".
Discography 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"
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machine_Gun_Kelly_(rapper)
