Concerts

Machine Gun Kelly on Rap Versus Rock: "There's Only a Divide If You're Ignorant"

He's gone wild with Steve-O, shared paint with the Cavs, and sparked up with Juicy J and (likely) Wiz Khalifa. He was signed by Diddy. He covered XXL magazine. And his track, "Invincible," has been used as theme song by both the NFL and the WWE.

Born in Houston but raised all over the world, he found a home in Cleveland, not the first city to spring to mind for those who've gone global. His name is Machine Gun Kelly and you can ride along with him at downtown Miami's Grand Central this week.

Here's what MGK had to say about his Cleveland Cavaliers, professional wrestling, King James' free agency, rap versus rock, and getting high with hip-hop legends.

See also: Review & Photos: Machine Gun Kelly - Grand Central, Miami

Crossfade: What was the bigger thrill, having "Cleveland" become the official track of the Cavaliers or having "Invincible" blast off WrestleMania XXVIII?

Machine Gun Kelly: Nothing is better than hometown love, but the most unexpected was Wrestlemania using our song! We performed in front of 75,000-plus people. Only Superbowl halftime acts are doing shit like that, and we're from the underground.

What kinda reaction does "Cleveland" spark in the Cavs' house?

Pride and sweat.

Do you attend a lotta games?

[Team owner] Dan Gilbert gives me his floor seats when I come to the games. Ha, never thought I'd be saying something like that growing up. Shout out to my man, Dan!

How are Clevelanders responding to LeBron's return?

Stoked.

Sticking with Cleveland, what's your take on Snoop and Jay-Z making it to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?

Well, as we speak, I'm picking out which one of my outfits I'm gonna give them to put next to Snoop and Jay's in 20 years.

See also: White People in Rap Music: A Five-Part History

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John Hood

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