Machine Gun Kelly confirms father’s death: “I’ve never felt a pain this deep”

Machine Gun Kelly has confirmed his father's death in a post on his social media pages, Sunday evening, July 5.

The rapper wrote a heartfelt message to his fans and shared the cover art for his album "Hotel Diablo." He said that he had plans for the first anniversary of "Hotel Diablo" for the day. Machine Gun Kelly described his hit fourth studio album as "everything I wanted to say," adding that he knows how close "Hotel Diablo" is to his fans.

"But my father took his last breath this morning, and ive never felt a pain this deep in my life," the "Bloody Valentine" artist wrote. He added: "i'm setting my phone down. love you." He then thanked his fans "for everything."

Both friends and fellow artists have extended their love and support to the rapper and singer-songwriter in this difficult time. Waynesboro rapper Lil Skies, real name Kimetrius Christopher Foose, replied to Machine Gun Kelly's post. The "Red Roses" rapper wrote: "i love you my brother so much, ️with u thru anything."

Travis Barker, best known as the drummer for rock band Blink-182, also sent his support. The MGK collaborator wrote, "Send all the love in the world to you right now brother." Barker and MGK have recently collaborated in the acoustic version of "Bloody Valentine."

At the start of the Black Lives Matter protests, the two artists have also teamed up to cover Rage Against the Machine's "Killing in the Name." Barker was also among the co-producers of Machine Gun Kelly's "Hotel Diablo."

Machine Gun Kelly's early life with his father

MGK was born Richard Colson Baker to missionary parents in Houston, Texas. Their family soon moved overseas, with his first four years being in Egypt. In an interview, Machine Gun Kelly shared that he "spoke Arabic before I spoke English."

Their family also moved to Chicago, Los Angeles, and later, Denver. Here is where MGK spent most of his childhood. As his father suffered from depression and unemployment, the young rapper had to "split his time between wearing two school outfits and being bullied by the neighborhood kids."

He started getting into hip-hop after watching the music video for DMX's hit "We Right Here." Through rapping, he got to "fight people with my words instead." He noted in the bio for his website that he used to stand out because he was tall and that he couldn't fight back.

During his high school days, he moved to Kuwait to serve in the US Army. The young MGK was left behind and lived in the basement of a neighbor. He would soon record his first demo tape, and start getting into rap battles with elder classmates.

Back in 2004, Richard Colson Baker and his dad moved back together in Cleveland, Ohio. He was christened "Machine Gun Kelly" by his local fans because of his rapid-fire delivery. In 2006, he released his mixtape "Stamp of Approval," further increasing his fame and earning him more gigs across Cleveland.

He soon joined a talent show in the famous Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York City, in 2009. Machine Gun Kelly recalled driving from Cleveland to New York and stood in line for ten hours. He was booed the first time he got onto the stage, later earning two consecutive victories and being the first rapper to do so.

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Machine gun kelly, Travis Barker, Hip hop