Machine Gun Kelly, the 33-year-old rapper, has candidly shared his hardships in his latest track, “Don’t Let Me Go,” which was unveiled on February 21. The emotionally charged song delves into the profound sorrow he and his fiancée, Megan Fox, endured following the loss of their unborn child.
In his lyrics, MGK expresses a deep sense of remorse for not being physically present for Fox during the miscarriage, poignantly questioning, “How can I live with the fact that my hand wasn’t on her stomach when we lost the baby?” This heart-wrenching revelation was first made by Fox in November 2023, where she described the experience as exceedingly challenging, as reported by E! Online.
Beyond the pain of this personal loss, MGK’s song provides a raw glimpse into his ongoing battles with mental health, including contemplations of suicide and the adversities stemming from his upbringing. He openly discusses the torment of being consumed by negative thoughts, revealing a moment of profound despair with the lines, “Lately my thoughts eating me alive / Laid in the bed thinkin’ maybe the hate will finally go away if I’m not alive.”
The rapper also reflects on his tumultuous relationship with his late father, whom he accuses of being abusive. His father’s suicide in 2020 adds another layer of complexity to MGK’s emotional narrative as he raps about the enduring scars from their confrontations during his childhood. Moreover, MGK touches upon his journey toward forgiveness and reconciliation with his estranged mother in 2022, highlighting the long-held secrets and pains from his past that he had never confronted until that point.
In an unexpected turn, MGK reveals insights into his recent decision to extensively tattoo his torso, leaving just one line untouched. This act, as he suggests in his lyrics, was a response to a breakdown, a physical manifestation of his internal struggles, and a desire for understanding from others.
The song poignantly questions the essence of MGK’s identity beyond his music and public persona, pondering the fate of the “character” he portrays in the public eye once the music fades and the accolades cease. Despite his celebrity status, MGK shares his deepest fears of dying alone and the existential dread of leaving no legacy behind, reflecting on the haunting prospect of his audience’s adulation waning over time.
Moreover, MGK pays homage to Megan Fox’s poetic work, specifically her poetry book “Pretty Boys Are Poisonous,” wherein she penned about the ultrasound of their baby girl at 10 weeks. This isn’t the first time MGK has referenced their miscarriage in his music; his song “Last November” from June 2022 also alluded to this personal tragedy, echoing his regrets and yearning for a chance to alter the course of events. Through “Don’t Let Me Go,” MGK lays bare his vulnerabilities, weaving a narrative of loss, mental health struggles, family conflicts, and the quest for identity and meaning amidst the ephemeral nature of fame.
