Where Did Machine Gun Kelly Grow Up?
Machine Gun Kelly, whose real name is Colson Baker, is a renowned American rapper, singer, and songwriter. He was born on April 22, 1990, in Houston, Texas, United States. However, Machine Gun Kelly did not grow up in Houston, but rather in Ravenswood, a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. In this article, we will explore Machine Gun Kelly’s childhood and formative years in Ravenswood, which had a significant impact on his life and music career.
Childhood in Ravenswood, Ohio
Machine Gun Kelly was born in Houston, Texas, but his family relocated to Cleveland, Ohio when he was just a year old. He spent his childhood and teenage years in Ravenswood, a predominantly white middle-class suburb, where he attended Lakeside High School. Ravenswood is about 10 miles west of downtown Cleveland, and the suburb’s demographics and lifestyle had a profound influence on Machine Gun Kelly’s music and outlook.
Cleveland and its Influence
Cleveland, Ohio is a city with a rich history of music, industry, and sports. Machine Gun Kelly’s hometown had a significant impact on his life, particularly in the music scene. The city is known for its punk and alternative rock influence, which is reflected in Machine Gun Kelly’s music. Cleveland’s gritty, no-nonsense attitude and DIY ethos are also evident in his rapping style, which is characterized by aggressive flows and unapologetic lyrics.
Key Life Experiences
Some significant events and experiences from Machine Gun Kelly’s childhood in Ravenswood include:
- Playing basketball: Machine Gun Kelly was an accomplished basketball player in high school, which helped him develop his physical skills and work ethic. He has spoken about the importance of sports in shaping his life.
- Discovering punk rock music: Machine Gun Kelly discovered punk rock music at an early age, which influenced his musical style and lyrics.
- Street life and gang culture: Machine Gun Kelly has spoken about being involved in the street life and gang culture in his teenage years. This experience has had a lasting impact on his life and music.
Comparison with Houston
While Machine Gun Kelly was born in Houston, Texas, his formative years and upbringing in Ravenswood, Ohio, had a significant impact on his life and music. Here is a comparison between the two cities:
| Houston, Texas | Ravenswood, Ohio | |
|---|---|---|
| Demographics | Diverse population, including African Americans and Latin Americans | Predominantly white middle-class population |
| Music influence | Hip-hop, R&B, and Texas country | Punk, alternative rock, and indie |
| Cultural vibe | Vibrant, cosmopolitan, and southern | Tough, gritty, and blue-collar |
| Family life | Machine Gun Kelly’s parents moved the family to Ravenswood, Ohio when he was one year old | Machine Gun Kelly’s childhood and teenage years were spent in Ravenswood |
Conclusion
Machine Gun Kelly’s upbringing in Ravenswood, Ohio, had a profound impact on his life and music. The suburb’s culture, demographics, and musical influences shaped his outlook, style, and lyrics. While he was born in Houston, Texas, it was his teenage years and early twenties in Ravenswood that laid the foundation for his successful music career.
