A few years ago, Machine Gun Kelly reinvented himself and his career by switching his sound for the better.
The former rapper, now pop-punk superstar’s blockbuster album Tickets to my Downfall ultimately scored rave reviews and a Billboard No. 1 debut, as MGK bolsters his success with a sequel project with Travis Barker in MAINSTREAM SELLOUT (March 25). MGK and Barker tap rap superstars in Gunna, Blackbear, Iann Dior, Young Thug, Lil Wayne as well as Pete Davidson, Bring Me The Horizon and more for the ride back to the top of the charts.
The album’s announcement came after MGK teased the project’s lead single on Instagram last summer. “Papercuts” released soon after he posted the snippet and was ultimately complemented by a Cole Bennett-directed video, as both MGK and Barker take to the streets raging over the track’s immersive guitar-heavy vibe. MGK also linked up with Willow for the album’s second single “emo girl,” as both rockers play off each other’s energy seamlessly for an instant pop-punk hit.
MGK has continued to take hold of pop-punk’s revitalized presence in mainstream circles — showing that he’s in a league of his own when it comes to his new sound. Still touting crossover collaborations with hip-hop’s best, “Ay!” recruits a cardboard cut-out of the legendary Weezy F Baby on a sctinillating rap-punk fusion. On “die in california,” YSL heavyweights Gunna and Young Thug trade verses effortlessly over a guitar-infused trap joint. Not only does the rapper-turned-rocker continue to toe the line between his new musical focus and his roots in hip-hop, but does so with an effortless conviction that strengthens his label as a bonafide hitmaker — regardless of genre or online backlash.
Preceding his latest single “maybe” with Bring Me The Horizon, Colton also released an EP titled “The Lockdown Sessions” to all digital streaming platforms and even teasing a future collaboration with Playboi Carti — further hyping fans for MAINSTREAM SELLOUT.
Initially rolling out the LP with some fresh ink — inscribing matching “Born With Horns” tattoos on their forearms in August — MGK changed the album’s title midway through the rollout. In a video posted Jan. 31, MGK’s second pop-punk project MAINSTREAM SELLOUT was officially announced to Barker’s surprise — questioning why they got paired ink in the first place.
Similarly, MGK is set to go on a North American and European tour for the album in June, even recruiting Trippie Redd, Iann Dior and others for a slew of US tour dates. Tickets go on sale this Friday, as Avril Lavigne, Blackbear, Travis Barker and Willow will join MGK on a majority of the tour.
With MGK’s success in switching genres, “the blonde don” looks to replicate his monster 2020 linking up with the blink-182 drummer once more.
Listen to MGK’s ‘MAINSTREAM SELLOUT’ below!
