Machine Gun Kelly is back to rapping, kinda, on his new song, “Ay!,” featuring a guest verse from Lil Wayne.
The track blends a brooding but dreamy guitar loop with crisp hip-hop production as MGK raps about everything from his preference for sad playlists, skipping meetings, and sleeping until 7 p.m. There’s even a Britney Spears reference as he rhymes, “I cut my hair off like I’m Britney/Sparkle dust like a pixie.”
“Ay!” also arrives with a music video in which MGK and some friends bop along to the song in a dressing room, their outfits changing with quick cuts, as some goofy visual effects turn MGK’s eyes into mouths. Lil Wayne also makes a “cameo” of sorts, appearing on a table in the form of a tiny paper cutout during his verse.
“Ay!” marks the second offering from Machine Gun Kelly’s sixth studio album, Mainstream Sellout, following “Emo Girl,” featuring Willow. Mainstream Sellout, which will arrive March 25, was originally set to be called Born With Horns, a name both MGK and his frequent collaborator Travis Barker ostensibly settled on when they got matching tattoos of the title. MGK broke the news to Barker that he’d changed the LP’s name in a TikTok video shared back in January.
As he preps for the release of his new album, however, MGK is also facing a lawsuit filed against him by a disabled parking lot attendant, who’s accused the musician of pushing and threatening him during an encounter last August.
Zara Larsson has indicated that she may have cancelled her December 3 appearance at the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The singer initially confirmed that she would not attend, before removing the comment and sharing a more detailed explanation of why the performance no longer feels right for her.
The Swedish star was scheduled to take the stage at Etihad Live on Yas Island during the Yasalam After-Race Concerts. Zara and Lewis Capaldi were due to launch the weekend’s entertainment. However, supporters encouraged her to reconsider the booking because of concerns surrounding the United Arab Emirates’ reported connections to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary organisation accused of committing atrocities during the nation’s civil conflict.
A fan commented: “Please read about what UAE is doing to Sudan then cancel your Abu Dhabi show!” Zara responded: “I will not be going to Abu Dhabi.” Fans later realised that both comments had been removed.
She then shared that she had been considering what it means for her, as an artist, to perform in particular countries.
The Midnight Sun singer explained: “I think about that a lot in my life as an artist… I wanna perform and spread joy and music for people in every country, because no single person is their government.
“I’ve met so many wonderful people from every corner of the world and I know this to be true in my heart. I love people, and I love my fans soooo much.”
Zara acknowledged that her original comment “maybe came off as an impulsive response,” but explained that she had given the booking serious thought. She now believes withdrawing is the decision that “aligns with me the most right now, for many different personal reasons beyond politics.”
She continued: “Maybe I’ll delete both comments and do a better statement soon. I hope to sing with you in the beautiful future!”
