Photos by Sharon Steele – Machine Gun Kelly, also known professionally as mgk and born Colson Baker, is an American musician, songwriter, actor, and entrepreneur celebrated for his fearless artistic evolution. Emerging from Cleveland’s underground hip-hop scene, he built a loyal following with his rapid-fire lyrical style, high-energy performances, and deeply personal songwriting. His breakthrough debut album, Lace Up (2012), featuring the hit single “Wild Boy,” established him as one of rap’s most dynamic new voices while laying the foundation for a career defined by constant reinvention.
Never content to remain within a single genre, Machine Gun Kelly has successfully crossed between hip-hop, alternative rock, and pop-punk. Albums including General Admission, Bloom, and Hotel Diablo showcased his lyrical growth before he made a career-defining shift with the chart-topping Tickets to My Downfall (2020), produced alongside Travis Barker. He continued that momentum with Mainstream Sellout and later released Lost Americana (2025), further expanding his musical palette while blending introspective storytelling with arena-ready anthems.
Beyond music, Machine Gun Kelly has become a recognizable figure in film and popular culture, appearing in movies such as The Dirt, Bird Box, Project Power, and Taurus. His bold fashion choices, outspoken personality, and willingness to embrace creative risks have made him one of entertainment’s most talked-about artists. Whether collaborating with rappers, rock musicians, or pop artists, he consistently pushes creative boundaries while maintaining an authentic connection with his audience.
In 2025 and 2026, Machine Gun Kelly embarked on his ambitious Lost Americana World Tour, his largest international outing to date. Produced by Live Nation, the tour spans North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand in support of Lost Americana, featuring arena performances that blend his hip-hop roots with the rock-driven sound that has come to define his recent work. Despite suffering a back injury following a stage dive during a June 2026 performance, mgk continued the tour, underscoring the relentless energy and commitment that have become hallmarks of his live shows.
MODSUN
Mod Sun, born Derek Ryan Smith, is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, and multi-instrumentalist whose genre-defying career has bridged hip-hop, alternative rock, and pop-punk. The Minnesota native first made his mark as a drummer for post-hardcore bands before launching a solo career under the name Mod Sun—an acronym for “Movement on Dreams, Stand Under None.” Known for coining the term “hippy hop” to describe his optimistic, free-spirited style, he gained recognition with projects such as Look Up, Movie, and BB before reinventing his sound with the pop-punk-inspired albums Internet Killed the Rockstar and God Save the Teen. Along the way, he has collaborated with artists including Machine Gun Kelly, Travis Barker, blackbear, and Avril Lavigne, establishing himself as a respected songwriter and creative force across multiple genres.
Beyond his music, Mod Sun is celebrated for his message of resilience, positivity, and personal growth. Having openly discussed his journey through addiction and sobriety, he channels those experiences into emotionally honest songs that resonate with fans navigating their own challenges. In addition to releasing poetry books and journals, he continues to expand his creative vision through music, visual art, and live performances, proving that reinvention and authenticity remain at the heart of his evolving career.
