Machine Gun Kelly’s ties to his hometown of Cleveland are stronger than ever. The rapper-rocker hosted MGK Day on Sunday and held a number of other charity events throughout the weekend in honor of the country.
Kelly reportedly headlined a 25-song set on the streets of Cleveland on Sunday night, but had a few more tricks up his sleeve when he surprised his diehard hometown fans with performances by Travis Barker and Blink-182’s Jelly Roll at the street festival.
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Barker, who produced the Billboard 200-top song Tickets for My Downfall, played drums on hits like “My Ex’s Best Friend” as well as Jelly Roll and MGK’s new collaboration “Lonely Road.” The John Denver-sampling track debuted at number 33 on the Billboard Hot 100.
“Today is all about my brother here,” Jelly Roll told the crowd of the local hero standing next to him. “This is his day, this is his week, this is his city. And now I want you to be as loud as you’ve ever been all damn night for MGK!”
Tee Grizzley also traveled from Detroit to join Machine Gun Kelly on stage to perform his hit “First Day Out” as well as his collaboration with MGK on “The Sopranos.”
Following the street festival festivities, MGK took a moment at X to emotionally discuss his love letter to Cleveland and his journey with fans, which has been in full swing since the late 2000s.
“My eyes are too dry to cry but damn Cleveland, tonight was legendary, what the hell. WE DID IT,” he wrote.
The 34-year-old thanked Barker and Jelly Roll for coming and making the night special. “I can’t believe you came. I love you so much dude,” he wrote to JR, before focusing on Travis Barker, who had traveled quite a distance to make it to MGK Day.
“Dude you literally jumped off a plane and drove three hours to be with me today @travisbarker. I can’t thank you enough for being a big brother to me,” Kelly said. “Playing Lonely Road with you and Jelly in front of my city after so many nights in the studio working on it meant more to me than you can imagine.”
It was a busy weekend through and through for Machine Gun Kelly, who also hosted a skate and BMX show, a nightclub party featuring Nelly’s “Air Force Ones” and a charity softball game.
Further highlights from the MGK day can be found below.
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