A wild performance by Cleveland-based rapper Machine Gun Kelly, a.k.a. MGK, at a Microsoft retail store in Atlanta ended abruptly after the artist jumped on showroom tables, smashing a number of expensive laptops.
Only a minute and a half into his act, MGK's mic was cut after multiple requests from store staff to get off the floor displays went unheeded, reports allhiphop.com (via Kotaku). The pleas only exacerbated the situation, as the rapper flashed the middle finger to employees, improvising the following lyrics into his rap:
âSuck my [redacted], Iâm up in this mother[redacted]. MGK in this [redacted]. [Redacted] these computers.â
Warning: Strong language.
Following the incident, Microsoft was quick to note the rapper wasn't hired by the store, but by hip-hop magazine The Source for the publication's Power 30 Issue. While true, the computing giant did allow the MC to perform in-store, a promotional tool sometimes used by Microsoft to drum up interest for retail outlet grand openings.
Most recently, recording artist Flo Rida was hired to perform at an Orlando Microsoft Store in August, while The Black Keys opened a Seattle location and Lenny Kravitz played for a store in Westchester. Last week's snafu, however, is most likely not the kind of exposure the company is seeking.
With its brick-and-mortar storefronts, Microsoft is looking to replicate the financial success enjoyed by Apple's retail division, often opening Apple Store lookalikes near the Cupertino company's existing outlets.
128 Comments
Microsoft: We're 'hip', 'cool', and 'with it'. Now get off our lawn.™
But seriously, I take their side on this, of course. The kid doesn't have much of a place in society with that attitude, much less a Microsoft Store.
LOL
He did them a favor.
"Store patrons knew things were going to go awry when MGK yelled "DJ, spin that sh**" and a store employee began booting up the Surface Tablet..."
I like how in the video, from what I saw, the patrons taking video of his performance were using iPhones.
This whole strategy of having musical acts at store openings is a little misplaced. At Apple stores, the lines are for the products. How many people in line for the Microsoft stores are there for the products vs. to see Lenny Kravitz or Flo Rida?