Machine Gun Kelly Shrugs Off Criticism Ahead of New Album ‘Lost Americana’
Colson Baker, known to fans worldwide as Machine Gun Kelly (MGK), isn’t losing sleep over his critics. In fact, he believes much of the hate he receives is rooted in something far less personal — conformity. In a new interview with People released on August 6, the genre-bending artist suggested that the negativity aimed at him is more about fitting in than any real issue with who he is or what he does.
“MGK Claims His Haters Are Just ‘Conformists’ Pretending to Dislike Him to ‘Blend In’”, arguing that disliking him has become a sort of pop culture trend.
“The hate for me has become so pop culture that it’s almost like that’s automatically what you say to fit in,” MGK explained. “That s–t doesn’t even mean anything to me. I’ve let it go completely to where I’m like, ‘Oh, that’s a joke.’”
He continued, pointing out the irony in the criticism: “I’ve realized they’re the conformists — you don’t even hate me for a reason you can actually think of. All I do is entertain, and entertainment can’t be that serious.”
MGK, who has transitioned from rap to punk rock and now seemingly to Americana with his upcoming album, says the backlash he often receives comes predominantly from men. “I think men let their insecurity rule their entirety,” he said. “They’re like, ‘He’s supposed to be like this,’ based on some outdated idea of masculinity. But I believe we can be protectors and strong, while also being expressive, vulnerable, emotional — and dress and look however we want.”
A New Sound, A Bold Statement
Lost Americana, set to release this Friday, sees MGK leaning into a more roots-inspired sound. The project follows his rap beginnings and successful ventures into pop-punk with Tickets to My Downfall and Mainstream Sellout. This time around, he’s enlisted none other than Bob Dylan — yes, the Bob Dylan — to narrate the album’s trailer, which dropped in June.
Although some fans questioned whether the voice in the video was truly Dylan’s, MGK recently confirmed on The Tonight Show (Aug. 4) that it was, in fact, the legendary musician. “To be honest, I have no idea how he even knows who I am to this day,” MGK admitted. “Something’s going on in the stars where, like, good things keep happening … I don’t know how it keeps happening.”
Beyond the Labels and Boxes
MGK has long been known for pushing boundaries — musically, visually, and personally. That resistance to being boxed in, he believes, is part of why some people dislike him, often without any real reason.
“I became so hated for, what has become apparent to me, no reason … just because I artistically express myself, through fashion, music, whatever,” he said. “I choose to not stay contained in a societal box.”
With Lost Americana around the corner, MGK seems more confident and self-aware than ever — unbothered by the noise, focused on his art, and determined to stay true to himself.
MGK Claims His Haters Are Just ‘Conformists’ Pretending to Dislike Him to ‘Blend In’ — and whether you love him or not, he’s not changing anytime soon.
