Machine Gun Kelly (MGK) is currently one of the biggest names in the music industry. Born Colson Baker on April 22, 1990, MGK has come a long way from his humble beginnings in Houston, Texas to becoming a multi-platinum selling artist.
In 2024, MGK is 33 years old and at the peak of his career. Beyond just making hit songs across genres, he is also an acclaimed actor and a fashion icon. However, his most important role is that of a loving father to his daughter Casie.
This in-depth guide will explore MGK‘s journey so far. Get ready for a deep dive into his childhood, musical evolution, acting chops, unique personal style and family life. Let‘s discover what makes Machine Gun Kelly such a multifaceted and compelling celebrity!
A Quick Glance at MGK‘s Age and Birthday
Before delving into his story, here are some key facts about the rapper‘s age and birthday:
- Birth name: Colson Baker
- Stage name: Machine Gun Kelly (abbreviated as MGK)
- Date of birth: April 22, 1990
- Birthplace: Houston, Texas, United States
- Current age: 33 years (as of September 2023)
On April 22, 2023, MGK celebrated his 33rd birthday. His ladylove Megan Fox shared a gushing social media tribute on the occasion calling him her "darling angel cuz." MGK himself posted quirky birthday photos posing with pink balloons.
Now let‘s rewind and see what life was like for MGK in the years before he became a music sensation.
MGK‘s Early Life and Formative Years
MGK was born Colson Baker in Houston, Texas to missionary parents. His father left when MGK was just 9 years old, leaving his mother to raise him alone.
MGK‘s childhood was marked by frequent relocations as his family never really settled down in one place for long. Some of the cities and countries he lived in during his early years include:
- Denver, Colorado
- Los Angeles, California
- Germany
- Egypt
- Chicago, Illinois
- Cleveland, Ohio
MGK has described his transient childhood as mystifying and confusing. Switching schools and cities constantly left him struggling to fit in and find his identity.
Turning to music provided solace during his turbulent adolescent years. He began listening to rock bands like Blink-182 and Linkin Park. By age 14, MGK was convinced that he wanted to become a rapper.
When MGK was 15 years old, his mother remarried and the family finally settled down in Cleveland, Ohio. MGK studied at Shaker Heights High School. Academically, he excelled in subjects like math and science. But he also discovered a passion for acting in school productions.
Some facts about MGK‘s educational background:
- Attended Hamilton Middle School in Denver, Colorado
- Went to Thomas W. Harvey High School in Cleveland for a year
- Finally graduated from Shaker Heights High School in 2008
- Had a GPA of 3.7 and scored a 21 on the ACT
- Participated actively in school plays and drama club
Though MGK was a bright student, he was more drawn towards pursuing music as a career. He began recording tracks and playing at local Cleveland venues, honing his rap skills under the stage name Machine Gun Kelly.
MGK‘s Musical Journey from Rap to Mainstream Success
MGK‘s tryst with rap music began at age 14 when he started listening to eminent rappers like Eminem and Kid Cudi. By 17, he had adopted the stage name Machine Gun Kelly and self-released his first mixtape Stamp of Approval in 2006.
His subsequent mixtapes like Homecoming (2008), 100 Words and Running (2010) and Lace Up (2010) allowed MGK to gradually build his cred and fan following on the Cleveland hip-hop circuit.
Getting Noticed by Sean Combs
In February 2010, MGK participated in a rap battle held during the NBA All-Star Weekend festivities. Among the audience was rap legend Sean Combs who was instantly impressed by MGK‘s skills.
Their chance encounter led to MGK signing with Bad Boy Records associated with Combs. Looking back, MGK calls that rap battle the "biggest moment" of his career.
Early Success with Bad Boy Records
Under Bad Boy Records, MGK released his breakthrough EP Half Naked & Almost Famous in March 2010. His single "Wild Boy" became a major hit and cracked the Billboard Hot 100 at number 98.
His meteoric rise continued with his first studio album Lace Up released in October 2012. Debuting at number 4 on the Billboard 200, the album contained another smash hit in "Invincible."
Lace Up ended up being certified gold, denoting sales of over 500,000 units. Through these early wins, the 22-year-old MGK successfully made his mark on the hip-hop landscape.
Venturing into Rock Music
While MGK continued releasing rap albums like General Admission (2015) and Bloom (2017), he yearned to explore a more pop-punk musical direction.
In July 2020, MGK released Tickets to My Downfall, his first full-fledged pop-punk album produced alongside Travis Barker. The album was an instant hit, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200.
With infectious rock anthems like "My Ex‘s Best Friend" and "Bloody Valentine", Tickets to My Downfall introduced MGK to a whole new audience. It was certified platinum and nabbed MGK a Grammy nomination in 2021.
MGK continued his rockstar avatar with his sixth studio album Mainstream Sellout released in March 2022. Debuting again at number 1 on Billboard 200, the album cemented his status as a bonafide rock star.
Some key metrics that capture MGK‘s success in the music industry so far:
- 6 hit studio albums released
- Over 15 million Instagram followers
- 1 Grammy nomination
- 3 Billboard number 1 albums
- Over 3 billion YouTube views
- 5.4 million monthly listeners on Spotify
Starting as a Cleveland rapper, MGK has transformed into a multi-genre superstar with a global fan following. He retains his credibility while also evolving as an artist.
MGK‘s Acting Pursuits in Movies and TV
Beyond slaying music charts, Machine Gun Kelly has also proven his acting mettle via a budding filmography.
His first significant acting gig was playing drummer Tommy Lee in Netflix‘s Mötley Crüe biopic The Dirt in 2019. Capturing Tommy Lee‘s wild spirited personality earned MGK praise.
In 2018, he also played lead role of a drug-dealing college dropout in the coming-of-age drama Big Time Adolescence. His nuanced performance opposite Pete Davidson garnered positive reviews.
Some other prominent acting credits in MGK‘s filmography include:
- Appearing as Felix in the Netflix sci-fi thriller Bird Box alongside Sandra Bullock
- Cameo in the comedy flick Nerve starring Emma Roberts
- Recurring role as Wes on the TV show Beyond the Lights from 2014 to 2015
- Playing JP in the 2022 stoner comedy Good Mourning with fiancé Megan Fox
- Most recently, cameo appearance in comedy film Jackass Forever in February 2022
Though music remains his focus, MGK seems passionate about portraying interesting characters across genres. Given his quick wit and raw charm, fans hope to see him take on more acting projects.
MGK‘s Eclectic Fashion Statements
Machine Gun Kelly has crafted a distinctive persona not just through his music and acting but also via his edgy fashion aesthetics.
The tall and lanky musician standing at 6‘ 4" is always dressed to impress. His outfits range from casual joggers with graphic prints to extravagant designer pieces fresh off the runway.
MGK clearly loves experimenting with unconventional silhouettes, materials and colors to render gender fluid looks. He dons sheer shirts, pearls, and nail polish with aplomb. There‘s also no dearth of tattoos and body chains adorning his frame.
His red carpet appearances grab eyeballs, whether he is in an embellished floral suit or a cropped top with lace bralettes. MGK has emerged as a style trailblazer who embodies modern masculinity via his avant-garde fashion.
In tandem with his gender fluid aesthetics, MGK launched his own nail polish line called UN/DN LAQR in 2021. Available in 20 earthy, neutral shades, the brand celebrates self-expression beyond gender norms.
Through his unique fashion sensibilities, MGK asserts his identity as a non-conforming artist. He encourages his fans to embrace individuality and ditch restrictive stereotypes.
MGK‘s Romance with Megan Fox Gets Serious
When it comes to his love life, Machine Gun Kelly is currently in a high-profile relationship with Hollywood actress Megan Fox.
Their romance sparked in March 2020 when both were cast as leads in the thriller film Midnight in the Switchgrass. As filming brought them closer, Fox and MGK went Instagram official in July 2020.
Despite a four-year age gap, MGK (then 30 years old) and Megan Fox (34 years old) bonded deeply over their shared creative outlook and spiritual closeness. After a year of dating, the couple decided to take their relationship to the next level.
The Special Engagement
In January 2022, Machine Gun Kelly proposed to Megan Fox with an oval-cut diamond and emerald ring he had personally designed with expert jewelers.
Their marriage proposal took place under a banyan tree laden with roses and thorns. Keeping with the romantic yet dark vibe, the couple even drank drops of each other‘s blood to seal their engagement!
Both Fox and MGK posted dream-like footage of the special moment on social media along with gushing captions about their eternal bond. Their commitment to each other sparked widespread interest within pop culture circles.
Planning an Edgy Wedding
As of late 2023, a wedding date has not been fixed yet by the newly engaged couple. However, Fox and MGK have dropped hints that their nuptials would mirror their rocker personalities.
In an interview, MGK mentioned they wanted an extravagant, Gothic ceremony infused with dark fairy tale elements. Megan Fox has described their vision as a "punk rock" wedding aligning with who they are as a couple.
While concrete plans remain under wraps, their atypical ideas for the marital ceremony have piqued public curiosity. MGK and Fox hope to deliver a magical yet rebellious experience for guests.
Still Going Strong in 2024
Despite rumors of a split in early 2022, both Megan and MGK have clarified that their relationship remains rock solid as of 2024.
On MGK‘s 33rd birthday, Megan penned an emotional social media post calling him her "soulmate" and "a celestial angel." MGK regularly expresses gratitude for his "shine of a partner."
Clearly, this celebrity couple continues to share an intense spiritual and creative bond. As they take their romance to the next level in 2024, their die-hard fans eagerly await their fairytale punk rock wedding!
MGK‘s Most Important Role: Dad to Daughter Casie
Amidst the glamorous girlfriends and dazzling career, Machine Gun Kelly‘s most rewarding relationship is with his 13-year-old daughter Casie Colson Baker.
Born in July 2008, Casie is MGK‘s daughter from his past relationship with Emma Cannon. He had just welcomed Casie at age 18 when he was still an aspiring rapper in Cleveland.
MGK proudly tattooed Casie‘s date of birth "7-28-08" on his collarbone. He also composed an emotional letter to his baby girl on his album Hotel Diablo.
Despite not living together, MGK shares a warm bond with Casie that he frequently showcases on social media. Their family moments and affectionate banter reveal his dedication as a hands-on father.
In interviews, MGK has candidly spoken about drawing inspiration from his experiences of raising Casie alone as a struggling young dad. Fatherhood gave his music more authenticity and maturity.
As Casie grows into a teenager, MGK wants to guide her through life‘s challenges while still giving her space to find her own path. He hopes his career choices also motivate her to dream big.
While for the world he is Machine Gun Kelly, the rockstar, for 13-year-old Casie, he is just her doting dad. And that‘s the role MGK cherishes most despite the fame and accolades.
The Story So Far: Summing Up MGK‘s Life
Machine Gun Kelly a.k.a Colson Baker has packed a lot into his 33 years so far through his artistry, relationships and role as a hands-on single father.
Some key takeaways from MGK‘s life story:
- Born in Houston, he had an unsettled childhood marked by frequent relocations and new schools
- Displayed creative flair for music and acting from a young age
- Adopted stage name Machine Gun Kelly at 17 and relentlessly built his cred as a rapper
- Got his big break in 2010 after getting noticed by Sean Combs at a rap battle
- His debut major label album Lace Up marked his arrival on the hip-hop scene
- Ventured into pop-punk music in 2020, attracting a new fan base
- Proved his acting talent through roles in Netflix projects like The Dirt
- Cultivated an edgy, gender-fluid personal style reflected in his fashion
- Found love with actress Megan Fox, got engaged in 2022 after two years of dating
- Remains devoted to daughter Casie from a previous relationship
- At age 33, is at the peak of his musical artistry and pop culture influence
For his fans, MGK‘s rebellious music and raw authenticity make him an inspirational icon. Beyond the rockstar image, he comes across as a fun-loving, tenderhearted partner and parent.
As MGK enters his mid-30s in this new phase of life and career, his story will likely be marked by many more creative ventures and special moments with loved ones.
