MGK Reveals Return to Rap, Addresses the Hate, Explains Mainstream Sell Out, Tickets to My Downfall 

MGK helped me through an intense time in my life I’ll forever be thankful I found him as an artist

Just saw him live in Indiana tonight. 17,000 outside under a full moon. Absolutely phenomenal performance. Still in shock at his live vocals.

Honestly I hope MGK doesn't give up Pop Punk, I wouldn't mind a Rap album but I also hope it doesn't become a one and done thing, like if he did one album rap, the next one be rock or pop punk and just swapped those in-between new albums, I'd be very ok with that

Fantastic interview. Its refreshing to hear Colson speak so truthfully and share his feelings with all of us. That was something special !

He’s so smart, sensitive and humble, funny AND his music is BRILLIANT! This 59-yr-old mom of 4 is grateful that he keeps everything so real. His Cleveland concert last week was in my top 3 concerts ever. Thank you for this interview.

It's wild how people think Eminem made him switch genres. The funniest thing about it is Killshot dropped Sept 14 2018, but the Let You Go video literally dropped Sept 14 2017. MGK's been doing this, Travis just added the final touches.

The hate that he gets is unbelievable while his lyrics and his sound represent truth and the brutality of the world. I can’t think of another artist that makes pain so relatable that it feels like the art he creates was specially for us. Keep on going you’re the G

Saw him in Cologne last weekend - sold out the entire LAXNESS Arena w/ 16,000. He’s AMAZING live, holy shit, I got chills from his vocals! The energy was unbelievable… seriously wish I could follow the tour.

I love Hotel Diablo. I am a therapist and I think that his album was therapeutic. He seems to have been working through stuff and struggling through stuff. That is therapy in motion.

Just a minor point but Hotel Diablo came out in July 2019. Binge came out in 2018. This is a phenomenal interview though, and I truly appreciate Kevan's sincerity. And Kells is very much underestimating the quality of the songs on Bloom lol. They may have been produced differently but they're impact is still large. Thank you for this!!

MGK is a young legend. I remember listening to 100 Words and Running back in like 2010, dude was so cold and he had some of the best cadence in rap. he threw some wild ass concerts. He almost always covered Blink or Green Day at his shows. I knew a bunch of people with "EST 19XX" tattoos in high school. Was not surprised at all when he went pop punk and him n Trav made it relevant again. Pretty dope story. Happy for him. Great interview.

I actually really loved this interview. MGK is multifaceted, talented in whatever he sets out to do, and I love him speaking his truth and coming into his own power! His growth has been amazing to watch - and I've been a fan of him since his Lace Up and Black Flag days! And it's so amazing to watch him get even better and better at his craft. And actually I was really interested in him talking about spirituality because I resonated so hard with it. And he is so spot on!

Bloom is hella underrated. That's the album where I really started liking mgks sound. And I've listened since before wild boy

Tattooed myself 33 times for that man, each one inspired by one of his songs and he pulled me up on stage at the end of the show in Syracuse and I showed him. Syracuse loves KELS

"If they don't like me they should not like me for me. " this line yes. I love the Hotel Diablo album. I've always loved punk so these new albums are amazing.

I would really like to hear him remake 27 and rehab like he was saying. That would be so cool

I wish he did more interviews

MGK. You did what you had to do. You hit me as a 30 year old, plus you added to the pop Punk of my childhood. You've done good dude. Just be you. 🤘😂💪🖤

He’s so real and raw and honest it’s great to have a musician like him!

I'm almost 50 and I have a huge appreciation for him, his perseverance, his creativity and that I can go backwards through his music and find something that resonates with me from the beginning. Plus, I'm originally from Ohio too.

I've never understood how or why ppl think that someone's tattoos and body art have anything to do with their potential for success. It's makes absolutely no sense. I will stand by colson til the day I die.

Saw him live in London. Went with my boy because he got tickets and I was blown away by the live show. Live band was insance and MGK’s performance was mental. Also the support and suprise guests were nuts too

If he's gonna return to rap, i really hope that the next album would be more like Hotel Diablo, you know, rap with rock and not just rap

My idol, he gets way to much hate, everyone is just jealous that he’s so good

10/10 artist 10/10 interview ps: thank you for everything colson :)

This is what make's MGK successful: "If you can last through it, there is probably a light at the end of the tunnel" "You giving them power, by stopping what could have been something great" "... What if I would have let (the Interscope employees reaction) stopped me from putting out Tickets to my Downfall?" "we probably have solutions to real world problems that are snubbed out, of becoming a reality, because someone says *you sound stupid*" You're a legend MGK, highlighting emotions like this changes the world and people's lives

I love him so much. Thank you for what you do! Let him always be protected from the haters 🙏🏼 Maybe not everyone gets it, but they aren't supposed to.. This world needs him 🖤❌❌🖤

This guy has been a legend for years. Blackballed. They can’t ignore him anymore. Stay blessed. We’re all with you on the ride XX SAVES

If we could all be like him, the world would be a better place 💚 what a beautiful interview. He has such important things to share and he cares so much about his fans and the future generation. Thank you for being you, Colson keeping it 💯

He's dope. Attended his concert in July and it affected me for days after. Never experienced that before. It was magical. The amount I relate to this man is ridiculous. Even the fine details ... Realness at it's finest. No surprise these fake people don't wanna accept it.

I fully agree. My son and I jammed out to the entire Tickets to My Downfall album so many times! I thank you MGK for all the memories he and I created listening to those songs!

'Not letting others reactions change your focus and drive to what you love' is actually a good lesson. He's right, people hate on him, if he stopped, he'd give the haters power

I love how intelligent, funny and instightful MGK is. Such a warm personality 🙌

Mgk brought me through such a rough point in my life that I think could not have been done by anyone else, relatable lyrics helped me much more than people will understand.

one thing i’ve always been quick to point out to haters is that he always had rock artists featured on his rap albums. every album has a rock artist feature since 2012. he’s always wanted that sound in his music

Hope he’s staying level headed. Every since he really blew up these last few years he seems so beyond stressed out compared to maybe 6 years ago. I know that comes with the level of fame, but I just hope he’s managing it well mentally.

Mgk is the perfect example of the tortured artist. Didn’t like MGKs movie but love the purpose behind more musicians making movies. Comedians do it so why not. Love it ❤

Thank god for you MGK ❤ you’re the only person in my life right now that I can truly relate to. You’re keeping me alive rn so much. Your words mean so much.

I'm 39. I've been a hip hop head since I was a child. I got into punk in my early teens and then pop punk/emo in my 20's. When MGK first came out I thought he was a dope rapper, when the diss track came out, I thought his track had legs...when he started doing pop punk, I thought it was decent, but I was super for someone reviving that sound. I fully support this dude and appreciate this interview.

He plays so amazing live! Very impressed! Pure raw talent

MGK's the man. Anyone who dismisses his rock stuff just isn't giving it a fair chance.

Everyone Stand Together xx

Love this man and everything he has to say. MGK is a huge inspiration to the world and his music definitely saves me everyday

“I want people to not like me for me”, wow, that hit

Excellent interview! I always love the interviews that allow him to show the world his beautiful mind.

I love this man so much I wish more people could see him how we see him

Such a fresh breath of air when an interviewer is actually good !! And MGk is amazing

Hearing him talk about birthing a new sound and him looking at his contemporaries as they did the same thing is crazy. I remember when he was a XXL freshman in 2012 with Future. Wow man

I melted in KC when he sang I think I’m okay live! I would LOVE to hear let you go and rehab live man! 💜🤘🏻 I’m sure I’m not the only one.

Pour guy looks like he's so tired.love what he said about therapists and how they always are are like so how do you feel?I hate that too, I can talk to my friends instead of paying this person.i totally want to learn how to fix myself.i love how he's very calm intelligent and funny person.congrats to his success and future success!his music helps me so much,I lost my parents at a young age and my sister a year ago committed suicide and I found her.his music has saved me from myself so many times.seeing him in person was like medicine for me that day!I hope he does stay on track and become a legend.i would love to do that drug he did with Megan they say it can heal depressed people.im already getting ketamine treatments and they aren't working that great would love to heal more spiritually. I feel like I am not strong enough to hold on like he's saying.glad he has family and friends ,plus his fans to help him.what gets me through is just listening to music and I have dance,I ve been a dancer since I was 4. Listening to him is so soothing. Glad I found this interview.makes me feel better to know im not alone and no matter who you are everyone has problems. Rock on and love hard!❤️

I’m so mesmerized by his humility, kindness and love. I hate that the internet decided something about him and now that’s what he’s been labeled as. He’s so sweet and lovely and soft. The hatred is only due to insecurity of the incel trash slinging it. It’s embarrassing for you; if you are crap-talking him (or any other human on this planet), you must face the fact that YOU are the piece of total garbage that is exactly why this planet is almost over.

MGK is really authentic, paid many many dues, he deserves all the success in the world! He’s setting a great example of what’s possible if a person believes in themselves and goes for it. Ohio grown here, we’re proud of him!

You did a GREAT interview and let him just talk and complete his thoughts. You were respectful and yet kept it moving. Great job. Keep it up and hope you do Colson again one day.

Idgaf what anyone says MGK is the fkn man. Doesn't matter the genre. Been a fan of his since 7th grade when I first heard "I Know" ft. Ray Jr. Been a fan since an will be till I die. #EST4Life

Such a great interview thanks to you both ❣

Great interview, Colson! Love to see you bloom in all of your different flowers. Stay with us. We need you!

So, in the beginning....I was feeling his melancholy...but by 44:22 with the Dennis Rodman story...I was very much laughing!! A beautiful spirit 💕✨🌍😇♑🙏

I'm not lying when I say the day I Think I'm Okay dropped I listened to it not only that entire day but every day for the next like two years. It seriously sent me back to a time in my life when music sounded like that and I had told, myself it'd never happen again. But just that one song did it.

People will never understand how pure MGK is...man that closing. The power of not being controlled.

MGK said for us during Lollapalooza 2022 in São Paulo Brazil "We play everynight like it's our last freaking show alive, so we don't care about being perfect. We just care about sounding the way we felt that day because one day we will be *old* and we wouldn't be doing this so remember freaking nights like tonight!" Dude, it inspired our lifestyles, this guy can really be both overstimulated and sad but he knows how to live a memorable life! Cheers my friends ;)

Man this album really helped me through my breakup with my ex fiancée she had an abortion and it killed me to the point of depression but I found this album and listened to every song and pulled myself out so thanks for making music #mgk

People throw out these insane accusations that he's a p*do because of one past comment in a interview that he was as high as a kite and a few waaaaay out of context tweets. Although I think he should take accountability publicly and apologize it shouldn't make him what they call him. It's wild. People also wouldn't say it to his face nor keep the same energy.

Truly a pivotal movement in empathy. I appreciate you and see you brother.

Love this guy! I’m constantly blown away by his depth and way he expresses himself

“The hate is only a small portion of what we see”. You gotta remember that. Sell out MSG and First Energy they cant deny it no matter how hard they try. This was a cultural shift. Dont downplay it. Nirvana knocked mj Off the charts. Its gonna be remembered kid. This is the new wave

Wow, what a great fucking interview! I could tell he wasn’t having it at the beginning but Kev got him to open up a bit. Love you Kels

Great interview! Just saw him in CLE and it was nice to hear him talk about all of this stuff and his evolution.

I understand what he means, when he talks about the masks he had on. But I wouldn't believe that he wasn't himself at e.g. Hotel Diablo. Besides that: If he is more himself since tickets and mainstream sellout like he said here I hope this isn't a genre thing for him, so he will be himself in the next rap era to.

I luv this sensitive soul... he's so amazing n talented 😍 💖

love this man!!!! the way the music world seems to put people in little boxes! u keep doing u bro!! I rap and make beats but also play drums in a punkrock band! fuck the haters

I fucking love this dude more than life. I live near Syracuse. Some days he is all I have. And I've never even met him.🤦🏼‍♀️💜

I love that he opened up so much towards the end :) he looked stressed in the beginning. He speaks so honestly

His Cleveland Concert was amazing 👏

Fuck the haters this man has so much heart in reality. Such a talented musician. There’s not many people I can listen to every song they ever release and like it for the most part. Saw him live too recently in Utah and it was such a night.

It’s so sad to me that artists literally have to “dumb down” their music now just so people can understand it. Where did we go wrong?

great interview loved it!!

i love mgk transformation, hes really so much more than a rapper, im guilty of it looking him as just another rapper in the past. but im proud to blast his music now, its funny through the last few years ive been hooked on modsun and mgk. and finding out there personalitys and everything. i wish to be more positive like modsun and i love mod, but i do see myself in mgk way more through all the bullshit hes gone through and how much he actually really FEELS. its more like myself than i ever could have imagined

I have been a mgk fan since day one ! I think he was much happier rapping he is a amazing artist. And the hole pop punk thing was ok but let's bring MGK BACK PLEASE! LOVE YA KELLZ. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK.

Mega love shout out kevan ❤️

Bro, you are such a good interviewer. You listen and then your questions are so on point.

I think I’m okay and Rehab bro changed the game! And the ‘Em diss. He wanted to underlay his idea of culture to music. The best music artists do this.

Really great interview. Thank you for sharing. 🖤 I can’t wait for the next album, no matter what fucking genre it’s in, us true fans don’t care. We just want to vibe out!

I love this interview! ❤️

Loved MGK before the come up 2011 back then to now,I always felt how great of a soul he was,humble and the realest ❤️😀✨Now to see him evolve into his best self is amazing and so proud of him.

MGK talking about We The Kings and Warped Tour. I'm digging this interview already. Its awesome to see how moments that could be nothing can be looked at for turning points in your life.

Don’t mind the return to rap but please don’t stop with the pop punk man two albums is just not enough I NEED MORE!

I had watched this interview and honestly I feel like this is exactly the counseling Colson Baker aka (mgk) definitely had to have with.. someone to actually listen, not interrupt, and ask all the questions when it was an accurate moment. Thank you for this posted interview it was all there I really hope that on the next birthday this interview happens again 🤟☺️

I’ve been following Kells since 2010. Seeing him become a global superstar is amazing to watch. He’s the greatest artist of this generation and truly deserves his fame

When he is as honest as here, I really wish I could hug him😞

That was a badass interview!!! Great job on both your ends. MGK's a LEGAND!!! FUCK THA HATERS!!!!!!

59:22 that’s what I’ve been waiting to hear for so long. Thank you. 🙏

I dont specifically listen to Kevan interviews but hes really leveled up in interviewing skills since I watched him last. This was really good.

Kinda shocked by how much truth he spoke. I was really interested to hear him speak without the things surrounding him being sensationalized, so thank you guys (Kevan & KRoq) for providing that. Love him or hate him, I think a lot of respect should be given to him for pushing against the hate and trying to open new doors for his peers. In a way it reminds me of Fred (yeah, the RU-vidr lol) because people are so focused on pushing down on him and his flaws to see he's setting new boundaries. It'll be exciting to see what else he does.

I’m going to see him this Saturday can’t wait

Glad I found this makes since and just a big wow to me in the greatest wired est ways I love it and so glad you did it

🖤💟🖤💟🖤💟 "I think I'm okay"! I'm so glad someone pointed this out about this song. He's an artist from rock to rap.

MGK saved my life. I have XX tattooed on my neck and I'll be EST till I die. No matter what wave he's on I'll ride w him. Such a beautiful soul. He deserves so much more than he's gotten and I don't just mean credit and respect. Rap, Rock, a graphic novel, a documentary with Netflix, a movie he produced and wrote, and multiple large movies... The hate is so misguided and music has always been so unique and original. Bloom and Hotel Diablo weren't typical rap albums, he's never had a typical sound... and now everyone wants to say he "swapped genres". He doesn't have a genre, stop trying to put him in a box that you can't see outside of. Open your mind.

seeing this Man Live in CLE THE LAND just this past weekend was AMAZING!! This man does everything he can to put shows on for his fans and the ones who’ve stuck through it with him, and that’s something i love! giving you’re absolutely everything to give the fans everything they deserve! Mad respect! and been rocking with him myself since before he even became huge! i first saw him while i was still in early HS and i’ve been down with the music since! MGK! MGK! MGK! 🔥🔥🔥🔥

So stoked for his rap album, that's how I found him back in the day, Black Flag! "Here to relive your darkest moments..."

Been a fan since 2011 and love all he does. He is not only a great artist but a beautiful soul also just got to see him in Cleveland and as always he killed it one love LACE UP EST.19XX OVER EVERYTHING