Machine Gun Kelly Is No Longer Going By Machine Gun Kelly
The change comes after some fans claimed the name glorified firearms.


Introducing: mgk.
The artist has officially changed his name on all major music streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and Tidal. His display name also now reads mgk on X, though his verified Instagram handle is still @machinegunkelly.
The change comes after fans implored him to change his name to one that doesn't "glorify machine guns," as BuzzFeed notes. The outlet adds that the singer, whose given name is Colson Baker, once flirted with the idea of going by simply "Machine," but mgk seems to be the final decision.
MGK on the red carpet
In addition to changing his stage name, mgk made a major change to his body. On Feb. 20, the singer debuted a blackout tattoo covering many of the previous tattoos he had on his shoulders and torso. "For spiritual purposes only," he captioned an Instagram photo of the new look.
A post shared by colson xx blonde don
A photo posted by machinegunkelly on
Interestingly, mgk's photo debuting the new tattoo elicited a flirty comment from an unexpected fellow star. Joe Exotic, of Tiger King fame, commented on mgk's Instagram post, writing, "A tiger and a bit of meth and you would be mine. Lol." And that's not all—he reposted the photo to his own Instagram grid, too, writing that he could "make mgk gay." Exotic later issued an apology for the post while simultaneously urging mgk to help get him out of prison.
For his part, mgk hasn't issued a statement as to whether the name change is a response to fans' concerns about gun violence. (He also hasn't responded to Exotic's statements.)
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Meghan is a freelance news writer at Marie Claire. Her work has also appeared in Bustle, Refinery29, Popsugar, and other outlets. When she isn't writing, Meghan runs a community for plus-size people in the Raleigh-Durham area of North Carolina.
-
Queen Mary Forced to Cancel Engagements Due to Illness
"Her Majesty The Queen, like many others right now, has become ill."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Why Princess Kate and Prince William "May Need a Referee"
Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis could get caught in the middle, according to one royal expert.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Kate Middleton Pairs a Sleek Navy Coat With $100 Earrings
The Princess of Wales debuted the brand new pair of hoop earrings at the sporting event.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Travis Kelce Lands First Major Acting Role in a Forthcoming Ryan Murphy Horror Series
Will Kelce follow in celebrities like Kim Kardashian’s footsteps and use a Murphy-produced project to launch an acting career?
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
During a Rare Television Interview, Princess Beatrice Gives a Health Update on Her Mother, Sarah Ferguson
The Duchess of York was diagnosed with skin cancer in January after beating breast cancer last year.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Taylor Swift \201cWants a Happy Ending\201d with Travis Kelce, and Hopes \201cHe Doesn’t Get Freaked Out About the Fame\201d
The couple just returned from a private couples’ getaway with friends Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Reese Witherspoon Wonders If the Era of the A-List Actor or Actress Is Over
\201cAre there opportunities for people to really emerge as a star?\201d
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
When Kaia Gerber Was Preparing for Her First Runway Show, Mom Cindy Crawford Made Her Watch Videos of Models Falling Down
\201cI think to be like, ‘This is the worst case scenario.’\201d
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
‘Legally Blonde’ Television Series Is In the Works, with Reese Witherspoon and the Duo Behind ‘Gossip Girl’ Producing It
Witherspoon—though not confirmed to star in the project—has previously said she’d like to see what Elle Woods was like in her forties.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
The Wildest VMAs Moments of All Time
Love mess? You're in the right place.
By Katherine J. Igoe Published
-
Travis Kelce: Super Bowl Champion. Swiftie. Game Show Host?
Kelce is reportedly in talks to host a reboot of a once beloved game show.
By Rachel Burchfield Published