Machine Gun Kelly's Real Name: Colson Baker (MGK) Bio He/Him

Machine Gun Kelly (born April 22, 1990) is an American rapper, singer and actor from Houston, Texas. His birth name is Colson Baker; he also performs as MGK.

Facts checked Nov 5, 2026.

Who Machine Gun Kelly Is

Baker has publicly stated his name is Colson Baker to end years of online debate. Hollywood Reporter covered his preference for the birth name on acting projects such as The Last Son. The moniker Machine Gun Kelly—later shortened in branding to MGK—is tied to rapid-fire delivery and the historical gangster nickname, not a separate legal identity (THR; Capital FM; TV Guide).

Disputed secondary form: TV Guide lists Birth Name "Richard Colson Baker." Baker has said the "Richard" version is wrong. We mark that as a database conflict, not confirmed fact.

Born in Houston, Baker became associated with Cleveland's hip-hop scene. Albums include General Admission and the pop-punk era Tickets to My Downfall.

In early November 2026, Baker and Dakota Johnson were photographed after a Calabasas dinner (Nov. 3 outing; coverage Nov. 4). Relationship labels from unnamed sources are reported claims, not official announcements (People; Yahoo/People). Daily: MGK's real name and Dakota Johnson dating buzz.

Things You Might Not Know

• He has asked fans to use Colson Baker to end the online name debate.
• "Richard Colson Baker" appears in some databases but is disputed by Baker.
• Acting credits sometimes lean on the birth name rather than MGK.