MGK Day 2023 uplifts the City

The ceremonial document is designed to celebrate Machine Gun Kelly's sold-out performance at FirstEnergy Stadium in 2022. By Dillon Stewart

If you were the right age in the late 2000s, you probably remember the first time you heard Machine Gun Kelly. For me, it was in the parking lot of my high school, where the rapper himself showed up to promote his new mixtape 100 Words and Running. With tracks like "Cleveland State of Mind," "107.9 FM Radio Freestyle," and "Still Get It In Ohio," it was obvious long before he sang "I'm so Cleveland it's a g** d*** shame" or taught Vanity Fair Cleveland slang that the rapper was repping his hometown of Cleveland.

Now, the City of Cleveland is repping back.

On Aug. 1, Mayor Justin Bibb proclaimed Aug. 13 "Machine Gun Kelly Day" to commemorate the multi-genre artist's 2022 performance at the former FirstEnergy Stadium — a sold-out show of more than 50,000 that saw MGK riding a zipline from the nosebleeds to the stage.

"I am honored to provide my heartfelt endorsement and support for MGK Day, a truly remarkable charity event that promises to leave an incredible mark on our city," Bibb said in a press release. "This event not only showcases the incredible talent of Machine Gun Kelly, a homegrown artist who has achieved global recognition, but it also embodies the spirit of unity, community engagement, and philanthropy."

To celebrate the declaration, the city is throwing a party for its wildest son, of course. The event will take place on Aug. 13 at Mall B and feature a beer garden, food trucks and vendors such as 27 Club, Ilthy, Midnight Art Club, Destination Cleveland and the Cleveland Browns.

"MGK Day is not merely a celebration of an exceptional artist; it's a celebration of the values we hold dear — compassion, community, and making a positive impact," wrote committee organizer Kumar Arora. "As we come together on this special day, we forge connections and friendships that embody the true spirit of Cleveland."