MGK (formerly known as Machine Gun Kelly) has never been known to bite his tongue when it comes to other rappers. And the rhymer–who has had issues with other white hip-hop stars like Yelawolf and Mac Miller, recently spoke about Seattle rapper Macklemore‘s crossover success. Macklemore and his partner Ryan Lewis were prominently featured at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards, and MGK said that Macklemore has benefited because he was willing to pander to the industry and popular tastes.
“He played the game,” MGK said during an interview with New York’s Hot 97. “He’s a game player. You know what I’m saying? I make my own rules.”
The Ohio native said that he isn’t given his due in hip-hop, regardless of color.
“I don’t even put color on it,” MGK said. “I feel I’m under-appreciated in hip-hop, period. You know what I’m saying? I’m better than ‘black, white.'”
This year’s MTV Video Music Awards brought race and culture to the forefront of the discussion. Not only was Macklemore one of the more prominently featured hip-hop stars, but pop/R&B singers Justin Timberlake and Robin Thicke were also big during the show. But no one got more attention than former Disney star Miley Cyrus–who gave a salacious performance of her hit “We Can’t Stop.” Miley’s infatuation with “twerking’ has come under fire from many people–both those who accuse her of ruining her previous “good girl” image, and those who feel she’s stealing black culture for her own gain.
“Come on man,” MGK said. “I’ve seen White girls in the hood twerking like that since I was 14. Let’s not…like, America needs to stop acting so sweet man. This is crazy.”
“Ultimately, I want to be the voice of my demographic and this generation,” MGK said. “And I want to do that without selling my soul or having to die to prove my point.”
