Midwest's Machine Gun Kelly!

The Midwestern United States is an area generally known as the heartland. It is, in fact, a cultural crossroads making up both the geographic epicenter and the population center of the United States of America. To 18-year-old Colson Baker, alias "Machine Gun Kelly," it is simply home.

Unlike many of his peers, "MGK" had the opportunity to experience firsthand the global village at an early age. Only two weeks after he was born, "MGK" relocated to northern Africa where he found himself speaking Arabic before he learned to speak English. After making his exodus from Egypt, he began a lifelong journey that would take him through cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, Denver, Cleveland, and others to reach his destiny.

"HIP HOP saved me," says the 6'3 blonde haired, blue eyed "Kells." Being raised by a single dad and circumnavigating the globe as an adolescent was not as easy as it sounds. "Hip hop music allowed me to communicate with kids from every background and nationality in places where I wasn't always welcome, which was everywhere I went. Being a white boy in a predominantly black industry can help me take five steps forward, but it also pulls me back ten." Knowing this, he honed his lyrical skills and delivery to the point where he could amaze even his "would-be" foes with his talent when conflict arose, as it often did.

Now named "Machine Gun Kelly" for his ability to spit rapid fire lyrics, he found his way to Cleveland, Ohio in 2005. After relocating over 10 ten times throughout his childhood, "MGK" discovered as a young teen that hip hop music was the one constant in his life. And, he made sure that he didn't waste any time breaking into the local hip hop scene. After being there in Cleveland for only a year, he was nominated for an Ohio Hip Hop Award in the category of "Best New Artist" category and things have not slowed down since then.

Beginning with his mixtape series, "Stamp of Approval," now on its fourth installment, he has been a feature artist on the Cleveland mixtape circuit, including: "DJ Flaco and DJ EV presents: P.U.S.H. hosted by Young Buck," "DJ Uncut: Cleveland's Crack", & "DJ Step One's: I Run 08." Last year this culminated in "MGK" being awarded the honor of being the first Cleveland artist to receive a "classic rating" on Z107.9's "Home Jams” radio show hosted by Cleveland's own “DJ Latin Assassin".

Baker has sited most of his influences as being some of the premier vocal talents in urban music. "The Temptations," "The Fresh Prince," "Mystikal," "Tech N9ne," "Busta Rhymes," & of course and, of course, "Twista," are all known for their enigmatic live performances as well as pugilistic oratory skills. Perhaps it is their influence which drives his energetic performances, whipping crowds into a frenzy that few artists, independent or major label, could can match. His stage presence garnered him an Ohio Hip Hop Award nomination for "Best Mixtape Artist" & and "Best Live Performance" this past year, as well as a feature performance on "MTV’s My Super Sweet 16". This has led to interviews with local magazines such as Cleveland's "Scene" and radio shows like Sirius Satellite's "Shade 45'' with Angela Yee and Elliot Wilson. The highlight of his career came last year when he was booked to perform overseas in Paris, France at one of the city's premier clubs, Duplex, and at the Fete de la Music.

2009 has come roaring in and "MGK" feels as though the time is right to make his national debut. His new single "I'm A Star" declares his arrival and serves as his mission statement to the world that his future rests on top of the charts. "Homecoming" is his salute to Cleveland and the Midwest, in which he is firmly grounded and rooted. "Machine Gun Kelly" knows he has a long way to go to reach his destiny, but he is confident that he will get there. He should know…he's been on the road a long time....


MGK & Dubo "Ohio" Download