LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Rapper Machine Gun Kelly, born Colson Baker, has found himself at the center of ridicule after changing his stage name to 'Machine'.
The decision, prompted by fan pressure due to what they believed was the glorification of machine guns in his original name, drew sharp criticism from radio personality Kyle Sandilands. The 52-year-old shock jock unleashed his disdain on 'The Kyle and Jackie O Show', taking aim at MGK's name change and offering his own alternative suggestions.
What did Kyle Sandilands say about Machine Gun Kelly's name change?
On the episode of 'The Kyle and Jackie O Show' that dropped on Friday, November 24, Sandilands held no bars as he mocked Machine Gun Kelly's decision to drop his original stage name. Sandilands was quoted saying, "That’ll fix everything, Machine Gun Kelly changes his name, and the weapons problems in America will all dissolve...what an idiot!"
While Machine Gun Kelly has not officially announced the name change, reports suggest that he requested photographers to refer to him as Machine during a recent red-carpet appearance in Los Angeles.
The move follows an incident at a concert where fans held up a sign urging the rapper to reconsider his stage name. Sandilands, however, remained unimpressed and continued to mock MGK's physique and appearance on air.
Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O Henderson's on-air banter
Sandilands went on to offer his own suggestion, proposing that Machine Gun Kelly could have simply adopted the name 'Kelly'. However, co-host Jackie O Henderson disagreed, labeling the idea as "lame." Sandilands persisted, poking fun at the rapper's physical attributes and humorously suggesting he consume more meat burgers to increase his iron intake.
The mockery directed at Machine Gun Kelly came in the wake of a historic radio deal for Kyle and Jackie. The Sydney-based radio duo signed a record-breaking $200 million, 10-year deal live on-air, securing their presence on the airwaves until 2034. This significant move, however, comes at the expense of their KIIS FM colleagues Jase Hawkins and Lauren Phillips, whose Melbourne breakfast show will conclude in December.
As a result of the monumental deal, Jase Hawkins and Lauren Phillips will be left without a job. The emotional fallout was evident as Phillips tearfully announced the news to her listeners, expressing reluctance to bid farewell to Melbourne.