Gilbert Flores
Colson Baker—professionally known as Machine Gun Kelly—shrugs off his detractors, labeling them “conformists” devoid of independent thought and eager to celebrate his missteps.
In an exclusive interview with People published on August 6, 2025, MGK explains why criticism no longer fazes him as he readies his forthcoming album, Lost Americana.
“The dislike directed toward me has become so ingrained in pop culture that it’s practically a default reaction,” he tells the magazine, adding, “It’s almost a punchline to fit in.”
Rather than take offense, Baker regards the animosity as a joke. “I’ve come to see those critics as the true conformists—they don’t even have a coherent reason to despise me, since my sole intention is to entertain,” he says, emphasizing that entertainment shouldn’t be taken overly seriously.
He also observes that most of the hostility he encounters stems from men, whom he believes allow insecurity to dominate their behavior. “There’s an outdated notion of masculinity that demands stoicism and rigidity,” he reflects. “But real strength includes vulnerability, emotional honesty, and the freedom to express ourselves however we choose.”
With Lost Americana set to arrive on August 8, MGK embraces a more roots-driven sound, a departure from his rap origins and subsequent punk-rock phase on Tickets to My Downfall and Mainstream Sellout. This summer, he even enlisted music legend Bob Dylan to narrate the album’s trailer, a collaboration confirmed on The Tonight Show on August 4 when Baker admitted surprise at Dylan’s continued interest in his work.
“Honestly, I have no clue how he’s aware of me,” MGK told host Jimmy Fallon. “It feels like the universe has been aligning lately, and I’m grateful for it.”
Baker attributes some of the unfounded negativity to his genre-hopping and sartorial risks. As he tells People, “I’ve been criticized simply for expressing myself artistically, whether through music or fashion. But I refuse to stay boxed in by societal expectations.”
