Machine Gun Kelly – General Admission

    Marcus Dowling1167 mins
    Machine Gun Kelly – General Admission

    At its finest moments, MGK’s sophomore studio album General Admission is an unflinchingly honest portrayal of a life lived successfully walking the tightrope between success, failure, life and death. At its not-so-finest moments, the album may bear the unique distinction of being 2015’s best zombie rap anthem unearthed from the year 2002. Sustainable major label rapper Kelly is certainly a star on the rise. However, in defining himself through well-worn tropes of rap yesteryear that include cadences, lyrical styles and subject matter, MGK’s General Admission is a mixed-bag of an album that aims high and falls short, but an amazing story is told along the way.

    Stunningly enough, on a rap album released in 2015, there’s a song that features a guest appearance from Kid Rock and Juvenile’s “Back Dat Ass Up” flow on the same track. That ignominious honor belongs to “Bad Motherfucker,” which in having both of these facets as assets of its unique appeal gives you a sense of where MGK’s best market is found. This is not a Billboard Rap Chart, urban radio dominant and club-ready album. MGK’s 2015 tour dates included stops on Vans’ Warped Tour, which more so than anything may show rap’s appeal to demographics outside of the near half-century old genre’s traditional expectations.

    Other moments meant for a group of fanatics perhaps more comfortable with rap’s storied history than rap’s present inspirations include recently released album single “World Series,” which is an amazing bit of haunting drill rap production, but when MGK apes UGK when saying that he wants a girl to “Work sumthin, twerk sumthin,” unlike Drake’s use of the phrase on 2010’s “Miss Me,” MGK’s take just sounds cloying and falls a little short. As well, there’s “Oz,” which samples Chicago one-hit wonders Crucial Conflict’s 1994 smash “Hay” and MGK also heavily borrows his flow from Three Six Mafia classic “Still Fly.” While a familiar earworm or two is always appreciated, when the concept feels overused as a ham-handed and lowest common denominator aimed crutch, it becomes somewhat tiresome.

    The album’s best moments are neatly contained within the triple play of “Gone,” “Story of the Stairs” and “Merry Go Round.” Interestingly enough, these three songs deal specifically with MGK’s issues with relating to his family and a story that’s inspired by his well-reported history as a former heroin addict. “Gone” is a swirling and snapping banger that bears a beautiful hook and honest lyricism about the perils of travel while dealing with innumerable issues with being a good father. “Story of the Stairs” does feature a Notorious B.I.G. borrow when MGK raps “birthdays was the worst days,” but in the track’s angst having tinges of Yelawolf and Eminem, yet uniquely delivered, it works. Close that out with “heroin rock/rap” anthem “Merry Go Round”’s story about a man’s pregnant girlfriend dying of an overdose and then the man committing suicide, this represents the album’s most poignant material.

    As an artist releasing on mainstream powerhouse Interscope Records, MGK’s release bears two top-40 radio winners, these being J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League-produced trap heater “Til I Die” and the magnificent “A Little More.” Victoria Monet’s vocal tone on the latter cuts through Tommy Brown’s shuffling drum and piano-led production and provides a color in tone that makes it a pop-aimed populist success.

    MGK’s album closes with “All Night Long,” a track that samples Warren Zevon’s “Play It All Night Long,” and is seven minutes long because it involves MGK discussing his rise as an artist and eventual signing to Bad Boy. Warren Zevon’s 1980 is a tale of hard drinking just to get by, as “grandma’s dying of cancer now and the cattle all have brucellosis.” The easiest way to get by in this situation? Turning up the speakers on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama” and playing it “all night long.” While few points on MGK’s General Admission have the ameliorative effects of either Zevon or Skynyrd, when you realize that MGK’s a survivor and still improving as an artist, it softens the egregious moments on the album and makes you wanting to hear what’s to come after this album.

    116 thoughts on “Machine Gun Kelly – General Admission”

    7. MACHINE GUN KELLY CAN GAG ON MUHAMMAD’S CAMEL SCHLONGER DONGER. ALLAH FUCKBAR!!! ALLAH FUCKTARD!!! INSHALLAH MUHAMMAD IS A CAMEL FUCKING PEDO!!!

      Reply

    9. He’s so damn real. There are songs on her that he wasn’t sure he wanted to put on because of the fact it let his fans see what’s on the inside. It’s amazing to see the real Machine Gun Kelly. He’s loves his daughter and is scared of being like his dad. He’s amazing. Since the day his album dropped I’ve been listening to it on repeat.

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    12. This is a powerful collection of songs which shows MGK’s advancing style as a rapper and an artist. Perfect next step for him!

      Reply

    15. There is too much I could say about how incredible this album is. The nods towards other artists and songs are out of respect, recognition, and community. Adore it.

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    16. This shit is hard as fuck if you do t like then fuck off go listen to your rimmy boys and fucking future. Fuckin clowns

      Reply

    18. This album is fkn amazing and the person writing this is a moron. This is way fkn better then 99% of the bullshit that is out now and especially on the radio. LaceUp!

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    21. Not gonna lie I checked out his new album just so I could troll lil white boy but nah.
      Its refreshing to hear something other than “catching bodys”
      Even though it probably won’t get good reviews because he speaks on real shit Ima rate this pretty high.
      Ok back to slim jesus I go

      Reply

    24. Lace Tf Up Or Shut Tf Up !
      This Album Is So Real And Deep, Its A Masterpiece. Its what You Call REAL Music. Its About His Life And Struggles And Has A Bad Review But If He Was Rapping About Catching Bodies, Guns, Violence You Would Say This Album Was The Shit. Open Your Eyes To What His Album Is Saying. Get You Head On Right ! He Always Speaks The Truth. He’s The Realest Rapper Out There ! #EST19XX

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    27. Most bullshit review I’ve read? Mgk is killing the rap game! Yet I’m sure Drake and future get awesome reviews… Kells, keep being you man! They may hate now butall of your fans want to see you get up to the top past Drake and eminem! #lacethefuckup #generaladmission #kells

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    30. the album was great a little more is very unique although it was previously released , till i die was well received when released as a single

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    34. This is a pretty weak review. It is one of the first hip hop main stream albums in a long time to come out and talk about real shit. Its not just all autotune and shoot em up, he covers real shit. There is real emotion in every song. The smartest thing they said in the review is its going to be scary to see what he comes with after this. Putting the creativity and real expression back into rap.

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    36. Marcus Dowling.. Hmm never heard of em’ before. Probably because he has weak ass reviews that under-cut great prices of art. This is a tasteless review and it goes to show this guy doesn’t listen to real music. Regardless of what he thinks this album islillin it on iTunes

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      1. This review made me loose respect for hiphopdx as a whole. Maybe some one who knows what their talking about when it come to music should do your reviews.. Just an idea. Keep doing your thing Kells! That’s why you have the realest fans, cuz you keep it real

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    38. I gotta say this. You guys must of been listening through your asses. This album is unbelievably amazing even for kells. Saying it fell short is like saying you guys can actually review an album. Obviously you guys don’t really listen to hip hop or rap because you would know the truth. LTFU EST 4 LIFE.

      Reply

    39. Before I clicked on this article I said to myself “3 stars”. I’ve predicted 90% of the ratings off this site, which isn’t that hard truthfully.

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    40. This proves how scared DX is to go against the grain and rate something on its content instead of who the artist is. If it’s an upcoming artist: 3-3.5 starts. Well known artist who has displayed lyrical talent: 4-4.5 stars. Mainstream artist who fits the radio mold: 3.5 stars every time.

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    46. BEST album ever! Kells is so inspirational it shows in this album. he has matured a lot from his first album and it shows. Big things to come from him.

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    99. Man f**k this s**t!! This album is sick, world series and oz are great tracks and both go a long way to show not only Kell’s variation in rapping styles but the talent to do so which such ease, so f**k that s**t, always alpha omega is bare bars

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    100. No way this album is way better then these faggots could even imagine “Do you fools listen to music or do you just skim through it?” (Jay-z) listen to “Everyday” the first verse is better then most rappers these days.

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    103. Fr on everything , this album was bomb as fuck. I can’t stop listening to it . Mgk #1 always . True shit on this album , #Ltfu

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    104. could you please reference in which way the flow is taken from the song “stay fly” not still by the way, because its gets offly tiring watching people throw their uneducated opinions out there especially when you’ve been given the responsibility to be a critic. Hollywood is gunna have its eyes ripped open by MGK my word!

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    107. Machine Gun Kelly’s album “General Admission” is basically half turn up, half story-telling. Which personally, I love. I really like albums which you can listen to when you are feeling hyped, but also when you are feeling a bit down. Big thumbs up on that part.

      It’s an overall great album made by a great artist.

      Reply

    110. very hawt fire XD!!! Danky derp derp litty. Im white. I am like snow white. I have bars. Like i eat. Nice sweet derpetty treat. Im lesbian.

      Reply

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