Machine Gun Kelly, also known as MGK, is an up-and-coming rapper signed by Diddy to Bad Boy Records. He is able to rap at an incredible pace and has an album that will be released later this year. But who is he?
MGK is a white rapper from the Midwest. (Sound familiar?) He was born in 1990 to missionary parents who took up residence in several different countries, including Egypt, Germany, and the U.S. It is hard to imagine that he spoke Arabic before English when listening to him spit rhymes faster than most of us speak. At the age of 4, MGK heard his first rap song while attending a predominantly black school. At age 14, he moved to Cleveland, Ohio, which he now considers his hometown.
MGK began rapping when he was 14 and was the first MC to win Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater. He records his music from the basement of his home, which he calls the “rage cage.” After his win, Machine Gun Kelly’s remix of “Look How I’m Doing” was featured in MTV2’s Sucker Free Freestyle. In 2010, he released his debut mix tape 100 Words and Running and shortly after Lace Up.
During a show in Texas, he was approached by Sean Combs, also known as Diddy, who eventually signed him to Bad Boy Records. MGK’s first single, “Wild Boy,” was released November 15th of last year and also featured rapper Waka Flocka Flame.
As MGK slowly paves his way in rap music, many people are beginning to think that he may become the new Eminem.
In rap, a strong, powerful, and fast voice counts. Machine Gun Kelly has a strong voice and is even faster than Eminem. It took me a few listens before I realized what he was rapping. Eminem also has a strong and powerful voice. He is memorable and is capabile of rapping fast, as well. When comparing the artists’ voices, I feel that it would be a tie between the two.
However, one of the most important things in rap today is how well the rapper flows. Now flow can mean several different things, such as “spazzing out,” chasing the beat, or in keeping time with the beat. In his songs, MGK uses a fast flow that destroys most rappers today. Eminem has multiple flows–spazzing out, rapping fast, and keeping in time with the beat. While MGK has skill, Eminem takes this contest due to his diverse flow.
But in my opinion, the most important thing in rap is the lyrics the rapper is spitting out. In this case, both rappers rap about their life, which just so happens to be similar. Due to Eminem’s harsher life and him conditions and the fact that he is several years older than MGK, I believe he has the better lyrical content.
A rapper’s presence is difficult to debate since it may refer to either stage presence or his presence in a certain song. It this case, I will discuss stage presence. While in his younger days Eminem would crowd surf and jump into the crowd, he no longer does. MGK, a young rapper with a wild side, does frequently jump into the crowd, crowd surf, and climb on stage equipment. I feel like MGK therefore has a stronger stage presence because his performance antics resonate more with the current generation.
Lastly, there is the concept of a rapper’s natural talent. Here, I think both Eminem and MGK excel. They both have amazing and natural talent that everyone can enjoy.
While Eminem is perhaps more established, Machine Gun Kelly gives him a good run for his money. Since MGK is new to the business, it will be exciting to see what he accomplishes in years to come.
Enjoy the first single released by Machine Gun Kelly here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_J7kEhY9sM&ob=av2e