Photo courtesy of Bad Boy Records
By: T- Millzz
When conversing with people about who the best rapper is right now, you’ll hear the names Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Drake, and Big Sean. Occasionally you’ll hear someone mention Chance The Rapper, Childish Gambino, Logic, or even older rappers like Eminem. Rarely, will you hear someone mention the Cleveland born rapper, Machine Gun Kelly.
While this sets up Kelly, (MGK for short) to work as if he has a chip on his shoulder, he has always let the body of work do the talking, with a side of an attitude that will stand out in the crowds. The “Wild Boy,” rapper is signed to Sean Combs label Bad Boy Records and his latest release puts him in a conversation that artists may not want to be in.
By: T- Millzz
When conversing with people about who the best rapper is right now, you’ll hear the names Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Drake, and Big Sean. Occasionally you’ll hear someone mention Chance The Rapper, Childish Gambino, Logic, or even older rappers like Eminem. Rarely, will you hear someone mention the Cleveland born rapper, Machine Gun Kelly.
While this sets up Kelly, (MGK for short) to work as if he has a chip on his shoulder, he has always let the body of work do the talking, with a side of an attitude that will stand out in the crowds. The “Wild Boy,” rapper is signed to Sean Combs label Bad Boy Records and his latest release puts him in a conversation that artists may not want to be in.
MGK has always shown a large talent capable of taking over the conversation of best rapper out. However in his latest project, bloom, MGK takes things in a different direction than what his core fans expect from the artist.
Kelly arguably put out one of the most content filled and in-depth projects of 2015 with General Admission only behind Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp A Butterfly and Big Sean’s Dark Sky Paradise This helped a lot of fans of MGK think that his new project would further him into the conversation of best rapper currently active.
Would, bloom, be able to deliver those type of expectations? My initial reaction is, no, however when you dig deeper, MGK has furthered his musical ability and branched out positively towards different genres as well.
The album starts out fairly strong with an anthem of the sorts called, “The Gunner,” as he will refer to himself multiple times throughout the album. Ironically, the way MGK got his name, “Machine Gun Kelly,” in the first place was because he was able to rap with such a fast paced flow and have the lyrics be high caliber. Sadly, he rarely raps fast to stick to his name throughout “bloom.”
“Go For Broke,” is the first major feature if you’re listening front to back as James Arthur is enlisted as a guest vocalist. Personally, this track is one of the biggest high points on the album as the vocals of James Arthur are done very well. Not just that, but MGK’s lyrics tell a story that you can visualize when you listen. The hook towards the chorus is catchy as well, and that propels the song further.
I’m going to get critical on one of the singles. “At My Best,” featuring Hailee Steinfeld... Is it a solid song? Yes. Is it a pop song? Absolutely. Machine Gun Kelly’s lyrics are a welcome sound and message throughout the three and a half minute song. However, Hailee Steinfeld’s chorus, even though the vocals sound above average, the lyrics are cliché and driven down to a typical Instagram caption at “If you can’t take me at my worst, you don’t deserve me at my best.” Hailee, it’s fair to say that whoever wrote the chorus did not put their best brainpower in this. Kells, you branched out and tried something different, for that I give you credit.
“Golden God’s” production value got me hyped up as the faster paced tempo fits MGK beautifully and he takes a humorous approach to a track that is largely a tempo changer for the album as a whole.
“Moonwalkers” featuring DubXX is a great tune to ride around in the car as well as get pumped to. This track has a great flow and a small back and forth any average listener can appreciate. This song leads into what would be considered a low point for the character MGK has created in this album with “Can’t Walk,” which is another song about how much drugs an artist has taken.
“Bad Things,” is again, another pop record that hit the radio waves nearly eight months ago. At the first few listens you can say “It’s not a bad song.” Camilla Cabello’s vocals are decent enough to carry the tune and MGK’s subpar lyrics for his ability stand out to the production. “I want you forever, even when we’re not together, scars on my body I can look at you whenever,” screams out generic as it leads into a generic hook.
These thoughts are all that go through your head as you listen to the album front to back, which makes me wonder if this album is better to listen to in bits and pieces. The last three songs on this album, for me are where Machine Gun Kelly finally makes this theme clear, and that is, “what happens to a troubled artist?” We’re not just talking about a hip hop artist… But any genre artist.
Before I go on, Machine Gun Kelly has consistently noted artists such as Jimi Hendrix and Kurt Cobain as heavy influence. I’m sure MGK also looked up to other artists such as Amy Winehouse and Jim Morrison as well. What do they all have in common? They’ve all dealt with drug problems as well as being the big name artists of the infamous “27 Club.” Yes… This is exactly what leads to the last three songs on this album.
“Rehab,” speaks for itself as it is a call out for a normal life without the help of going to rehab to fix any addiction issue you have. Laid with great string work, guitar sounds a monotone vocal approach by Machine Gun Kelly can carry this tune. “Let You Go,” is a continuation of an artist who has clearly lost something important, possibly leading him/her to the edge and causing ache. Again, even though this song is of the pop/rock genre, it is a culmination of the things MGK has experienced as well as seen by the very artists he is inspired by.
“27” is my personal favorite off of this album, and it speaks for itself from the opening lines. “If I must go and die at 27, then at least I know I died a legend,” resonate as it brings to the forefront why MGK made this type of album in the first place. “They say I need to slow down, but I don’t know how,” leads into lyrics that are strong as they are inspirational and an introspective approach to how MGK feels at this present time. Machine Gun Kelly also turned 27 in late April. Is it a little cliché for him to make a song like this? Possibly, but it is needed for the listener to then look back on the album as a whole and realize that he may have actually been paying homage to all the artists who have been part of the “27 Club.”
Overall, bloom is exactly what I believe Machine Gun Kelly needs at this point in his music career. A reach for commercial success is not a bad thing for an artist on Bad Boy Records and keeping a theme while paying homage to some of your influences can be a good way to reach fans who may not know your music. MGK will be hitting the road with Linkin Park this summer. Luckily, I will have the opportunity to catch him with Wu-Tang Clan, Blink-182 and Linkin Park at Citi Field in July. However, bloom, most likely needs to be listened to in parts in order to appreciate its full aspect. Machine Gun Kelly may not be the most talked about rapper of this generation, but he definitely experiments with different genres like Drake might, while still putting the artistic value that someone of J. Cole’s style would.
Final Score: 3/5
Notable Songs:
1) “27”
2) “Go For Broke” featuring James Arthur
3) “Golden God”
4) “Rehab”
5) “Moonwalkers” featuring DubXX
Kelly arguably put out one of the most content filled and in-depth projects of 2015 with General Admission only behind Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp A Butterfly and Big Sean’s Dark Sky Paradise This helped a lot of fans of MGK think that his new project would further him into the conversation of best rapper currently active.
Would, bloom, be able to deliver those type of expectations? My initial reaction is, no, however when you dig deeper, MGK has furthered his musical ability and branched out positively towards different genres as well.
The album starts out fairly strong with an anthem of the sorts called, “The Gunner,” as he will refer to himself multiple times throughout the album. Ironically, the way MGK got his name, “Machine Gun Kelly,” in the first place was because he was able to rap with such a fast paced flow and have the lyrics be high caliber. Sadly, he rarely raps fast to stick to his name throughout “bloom.”
“Go For Broke,” is the first major feature if you’re listening front to back as James Arthur is enlisted as a guest vocalist. Personally, this track is one of the biggest high points on the album as the vocals of James Arthur are done very well. Not just that, but MGK’s lyrics tell a story that you can visualize when you listen. The hook towards the chorus is catchy as well, and that propels the song further.
I’m going to get critical on one of the singles. “At My Best,” featuring Hailee Steinfeld... Is it a solid song? Yes. Is it a pop song? Absolutely. Machine Gun Kelly’s lyrics are a welcome sound and message throughout the three and a half minute song. However, Hailee Steinfeld’s chorus, even though the vocals sound above average, the lyrics are cliché and driven down to a typical Instagram caption at “If you can’t take me at my worst, you don’t deserve me at my best.” Hailee, it’s fair to say that whoever wrote the chorus did not put their best brainpower in this. Kells, you branched out and tried something different, for that I give you credit.
“Golden God’s” production value got me hyped up as the faster paced tempo fits MGK beautifully and he takes a humorous approach to a track that is largely a tempo changer for the album as a whole.
“Moonwalkers” featuring DubXX is a great tune to ride around in the car as well as get pumped to. This track has a great flow and a small back and forth any average listener can appreciate. This song leads into what would be considered a low point for the character MGK has created in this album with “Can’t Walk,” which is another song about how much drugs an artist has taken.
“Bad Things,” is again, another pop record that hit the radio waves nearly eight months ago. At the first few listens you can say “It’s not a bad song.” Camilla Cabello’s vocals are decent enough to carry the tune and MGK’s subpar lyrics for his ability stand out to the production. “I want you forever, even when we’re not together, scars on my body I can look at you whenever,” screams out generic as it leads into a generic hook.
These thoughts are all that go through your head as you listen to the album front to back, which makes me wonder if this album is better to listen to in bits and pieces. The last three songs on this album, for me are where Machine Gun Kelly finally makes this theme clear, and that is, “what happens to a troubled artist?” We’re not just talking about a hip hop artist… But any genre artist.
Before I go on, Machine Gun Kelly has consistently noted artists such as Jimi Hendrix and Kurt Cobain as heavy influence. I’m sure MGK also looked up to other artists such as Amy Winehouse and Jim Morrison as well. What do they all have in common? They’ve all dealt with drug problems as well as being the big name artists of the infamous “27 Club.” Yes… This is exactly what leads to the last three songs on this album.
“Rehab,” speaks for itself as it is a call out for a normal life without the help of going to rehab to fix any addiction issue you have. Laid with great string work, guitar sounds a monotone vocal approach by Machine Gun Kelly can carry this tune. “Let You Go,” is a continuation of an artist who has clearly lost something important, possibly leading him/her to the edge and causing ache. Again, even though this song is of the pop/rock genre, it is a culmination of the things MGK has experienced as well as seen by the very artists he is inspired by.
“27” is my personal favorite off of this album, and it speaks for itself from the opening lines. “If I must go and die at 27, then at least I know I died a legend,” resonate as it brings to the forefront why MGK made this type of album in the first place. “They say I need to slow down, but I don’t know how,” leads into lyrics that are strong as they are inspirational and an introspective approach to how MGK feels at this present time. Machine Gun Kelly also turned 27 in late April. Is it a little cliché for him to make a song like this? Possibly, but it is needed for the listener to then look back on the album as a whole and realize that he may have actually been paying homage to all the artists who have been part of the “27 Club.”
Overall, bloom is exactly what I believe Machine Gun Kelly needs at this point in his music career. A reach for commercial success is not a bad thing for an artist on Bad Boy Records and keeping a theme while paying homage to some of your influences can be a good way to reach fans who may not know your music. MGK will be hitting the road with Linkin Park this summer. Luckily, I will have the opportunity to catch him with Wu-Tang Clan, Blink-182 and Linkin Park at Citi Field in July. However, bloom, most likely needs to be listened to in parts in order to appreciate its full aspect. Machine Gun Kelly may not be the most talked about rapper of this generation, but he definitely experiments with different genres like Drake might, while still putting the artistic value that someone of J. Cole’s style would.
Final Score: 3/5
Notable Songs:
1) “27”
2) “Go For Broke” featuring James Arthur
3) “Golden God”
4) “Rehab”
5) “Moonwalkers” featuring DubXX