Machine Gun Kelly admits he ‘had a breakdown’ before getting blackout tattoo in new ‘Don’t Let Me Go’ song
Machine Gun Kelly’s new era is here.
The rapper released a heartbreaking new ballad, titled “Don’t Let Me Go,” on Wednesday — one day after going viral for posting photos of his torso, arms and chest covered in fresh blackout tattoos.
Fans went wild over the designs, with many wondering what MGK meant when he said via Instagram that it was “for spiritual purposes only.”
Naturally, the songwriter — who has been vocal about his struggles with mental health in the past — used his music to provide some clarity, telling fans it was the result of “a breakdown.”
“Lately my thoughts eating me alive / laid in the bed thinking maybe the hate’ll finally go away if I’m not alive,” MGK (real name: Colson Baker) raps at the beginning of the track while playing piano.
“Wish I didn’t listen just like I wish they would understand me one time / I had a breakdown and tatted my entire body except one line / Everything’s just fine.”
In the accompanying music video, directed by Sam Cahill, a somber MGK rolled up the sleeves of his black-and-white shirt to unveil the fresh artwork – and the return of his pink hair color from his “Tickets to My Downfall” and “Mainstream Sellout” eras.
“Slippin’ again / there I go slippin’ again / I’m actin’ different again. I see my family’s reflection every time I look in the cup and I sip it again,” MGK, 33, continues.
“After this ends / tell me after all this ends will I be mentioned again? Why do I care if in the end it’s just me and God like I’m Christian again.”
Throughout the track, MGK also addresses the ups and downs of his relationship with fiancée Megan Fox, a heartbreaking miscarriage, the death of his father, suicidal thoughts, the constant pressure he feels as an artist and more.
“Who am I when the music stops / and the character that I’ve been playin’ is really just broken and f–kin’ lost,” he sings on another verse of the track, which is arguably one of his most vulnerable songs to date.
“I swear I’ve been tellin’ you over and over again in all of these songs / but they don’t hear nothin’ I’m writing ’cause they’re too busy tryin’ to write me off.”
As Page Six Style previously reported, MGK’s new blackout tat — which covers the majority of his arms, upper chest and shoulders — was done by celebrity ink artist Roxx in December 2023.
“Made some art with @machinegunkelly. Never met a tougher one,” the artist wrote via Instagram Tuesday, with MGK replying in the comments, “🤞🏼😤 thanks for the joy and the pain.”
The blackout tattoo did leave some of the “Bloody Valentine” rocker’s previous upper body art uncovered, however, with various designs peeking through the lines on his arms and the new cross shape displayed across his chest.
At the time, many of MGK’s followers took to the comments section to weigh in on the transformation, including his celebrity pals and frequent collaborators.
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“Proud of u brother, the change has been beautiful to watch,” wrote Mod Sun, with Travis Barker’s son, Landon Barker, adding, “Fire!”
Meanwhile, Fox, 37, recently revealed her own new ink – a “freshly reworked” sleeve featuring birds and flowers – at a 2024 Grammys afterparty earlier this month.
The “Jennifer’s Body” star debuted the artwork after revealing in a November 2023 appearance on “The Drew Barrymore Show” that she had recently gotten a large tattoo done that she didn’t like and would have to rework.
“It’s my entire arm, so not a big deal,” she joked at the time.
