Machine Gun Kelly

Richard Colson Baker is a rapper from Cleveland, Ohio, who is best known by his stage name, Machine Gun Kelly, which he received in reference to notorious criminal George “Machine Gun Kelly” Barnes due to his rapid-fire lyrical delivery.

Machine Gun Kelly is the first white rapper to ever win a rap battle at Harlem’s Apollo Theater when he was victorious on back-to-back nights in 2009. However, the performer didn’t gain major exposure after Sean Combs took notice of him at his 2011 SXSW show in Austin, Texas; Kelly subsequently signed a record deal with Bad Boy Records.

Lace Up, released in 2012, served as Machine Gun Kelly’s extremely successful album debut, selling 65,000 copies in its first two weeks. The album peaked at number four on the U.S. Albums chart and number two on both the U.S. Rap and R&B charts, powered by popular singles “Wild Boy,” “Invincible,” and “Hold On (Shut Up).”

Machine Gun Kelly performances are must-see events where crowds feed off the performer’s natural, easy energy. In his young career, the rapper has collaborated with the likes of DJ Jazzy Jeff, Southside, Drumma Boy, Frequency, Alex da Kid, and Harve Pierre.

Make sure to buy your Machine Gun Kelly tickets before they sell out!