Machine Gun Kelly Is Drifting Away From Hip Hop- Challenging People’s Expectations

Machine Gun Kelly is a fairly well known Hip-hop artist, a genre he never drifted out of. This week marked the drop of his 5th album, titled ‘Tickets to my Downfall.’ The largest reaction to the album was shock, from fans, as the artist has shifted towards pop-punk (heavy on the punk) rather than his well known hip hop music. Fans are torn about his new direction and Kelly doesn’t care.

Kelly went on Howard Stern in promotion of the album, where he opened up about everything in his life, particularly the massive shift in his music and personal life surrounding it.

Kelly is very open in response to the thought on everyone’s mind, “what sparked the sudden shift and jump from familiarity?” Kelly stated ” just want to go against what everyone else thinks, I make a pop-punk record … and everyone’s like, ‘You switched genres!’ To me, I just added on to the multiple things I’ve already done anyway, but, sure, what a narrow-minded way to look at things”

the album is out!!! #TicketsToMyDownfall 🤯🙏🏼 first impression what’s your favorite song ?? https://t.co/QU9jt2PQZj

— mgk (@machinegunkelly) September 25, 2020

He challenges the artistic expectations set for him while diversifying his musical career and talent. This album finds focus on love and relationships while Kelly constantly gushes about his true love with actress and social justice icon Meghan Fox. The famous couple clears to be entering a very serious relationship and it’s visible in the album. It’s a contributing factor to the shift in his musical tone.

The risk and bold creative move from the artist, of course faced some dislike, his self awareness of that fact is captured in the title ‘Tickets to My Downfall.’ He does not deny or ignore the musical change and risk. But the overwhelming response has been far from negative, especially from critics. The new album is a glimpse into a growing and diverse career.

Article by Surina Belk-Gupta | Insta: @surinapop