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The long-standing war of words between mgk and Slipknot frontman Corey Taylor has surfaced once again, with the “Lost Americana” artist offering a blunt perspective on the friction that divided the rock world. Speaking on a newly released episode of The Garza Podcast, mgk (Machine Gun Kelly) addressed the 2021 fallout, describing his retaliatory comments as a natural reaction to being “punched in the face” by the veteran metal vocalist.
TL;DR: The Key Takeaways
- The Perspective: mgk insists he was merely “punching back” after Taylor publicly criticized his transition from hip-hop to the rock genre.
- The Catalyst: The feud stems from mgk‘s 2021 comments regarding the rock scene’s lack of “attitude” and Taylor’s subsequent dismissiveness of artists who “failed in one genre” before moving to rock.
- The Collaboration: New details confirm Taylor was asked to guest on Tickets to My Downfall but opted out over creative differences.
- Current Status: Machine Gun Kelly reveals the two have still never spoken in person despite years of media barbs and public tension.
“I Punched Back”: mgk on the Corey Taylor Backlash
The rift between the 36-year-old mgk and 52-year-old Corey Taylor remains one of the most polarizing moments in recent rock history. While metal purists largely stood behind Taylor, mgk explained to Suicide Silence guitarist Chris Garza that he felt he was simply defending himself against an unprovoked attack from a peer he once admired.
“What do you do if someone punches you in the face?” Kelly asked Garza during the interview. “That’s what happened, right? I got punched in the face and I punched back, and that’s crazy? That’s exactly what you would do, too.”
The “punch” in this context refers to Taylor’s 2021 interview with Billboard, where he lambasted artists who “failed in one genre and decided to go rock,” a comment widely seen as a direct shot at Machine Gun Kelly’s pop-punk transition.
We Also Recommend – Slipknot Albums Ranked: Every Masked Masterpiece From Worst to Best
The Failed Collaboration and the Fallout
Interestingly, the animosity may have been fueled by a collaboration that never came to be. mgk clarified that Taylor was originally approached to appear on the Tickets to My Downfall record. While the Slipknot singer ultimately “opted out,” Kelly claims he initially respected the decision—until the public criticism began once the album achieved chart-topping success.
“Then to go on to see… someone that I looked up to shitting on me, like I said, it’s a punch in the face. What you gonna do?” mgk stated, defending his decision to later mock Taylor’s stage presence and mask during a 2021 Riot Fest performance.
A Legacy of Verbal Warfare
Taylor hasn’t been quiet about his side of the story either, famously telling a ShipRocked audience in 2022 that Machine Gun Kelly was acting like a “weird substitute teacher” trying to dictate the rules of a genre he just joined.
As of May 2026, mgk continues to push the boundaries of the genre with his latest work, while Slipknot remains a dominant force following the release of their Look Outside Your Window project. While the “punches” have moved from social media to podcast reflections, the tension between the two generations of rock remains palpable.
Check This Out – The 13 Most Brutal Slipknot Songs Ever Recorded (Ranked)

FAQ: mgk & Corey Taylor Feud
Did Machine Gun Kelly start the feud with Corey Taylor? mgk claims Taylor started the feud by criticizing his move into rock music. However, Taylor maintains that the conflict began when mgk made disparaging comments about the rock scene and veterans like those on the Warped Tour.
What did Corey Taylor say about mgk? Taylor famously referred to mgk as a “failed” artist in his original genre and later criticized him for trying to tell established rock bands how to dress and behave.
Have mgk and Corey Taylor ever met? According to mgk‘s 2026 interview on The Garza Podcast, the two have never spoken or met in person.
Band Bio: Slipknot
Founded in 1995, Slipknot is a cornerstone of modern heavy metal. Led by frontman Corey Taylor, the Des Moines collective is world-renowned for their aggressive sound and theatrical, masked imagery. With multiple platinum records and a global following, they remain one of the most formidable acts in the heavy music landscape.
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The post mgk Defends Corey Taylor Feud: “I Got Punched in the Face and I Punched Back” appeared first on Loaded Radio.
