It was late 2021. Machine Gun Kelly, or Colson Baker if you’re being formal about it, was basically at the peak of his pop-punk pivot. He wasn’t just a rapper anymore. He was the poster child for a new generation of spiked belts and pink electric guitars. Then came the time of day mgk moment—a performance and a vibe that felt like it captured everything about that specific era of his career.
Most people remember the Mainstream Sellout era for the loud, brash anthems. But "Time of Day" was different. It’s a track that feels a bit more grounded, a bit more collaborative, and honestly, a bit more "real" than some of the over-produced radio hits. Featuring Larray, the song isn't just a catchy melody; it represents a specific intersection of internet culture and the revival of the 2000s sound.
What Actually Is time of day mgk?
Let’s get the facts straight. The song "Time of Day" appeared on the deluxe version of MGK's album Mainstream Sellout. Specifically, it’s titled "Time of Day" (feat. Larray). If you were on TikTok at all during that year, you couldn't escape it.
Larray, primarily known as a massive YouTube and TikTok personality, brought a strange, almost chaotic energy to the track. Critics were skeptical. You had the traditional rock crowd rolling their eyes at a TikToker jumping on a track with a former rapper. But that's the thing about MGK—he thrives on that friction. He likes the "sellout" label because he knows he's selling out arenas while the purists are stuck in their basements.
The track itself is fast. It’s frantic. It’s exactly what you’d expect from a song written during a period where Colson was arguably the most talked-about person in music, largely thanks to his relationship with Megan Fox and his public feud with... well, everyone.
Why the Larray Collab Worked (and Why It Didn't)
There are two camps here. One camp thinks the inclusion of Larray was a brilliant marketing move. It bridged the gap between the "alt" scene and the massive Gen Z social media audience. It made the song feel like a moment in time rather than just a track on a playlist.
The other camp? They hated it. They thought it was "cringe."
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But music isn't always about being cool. Sometimes it's about the energy. When you look at the time of day mgk live performances or the way the song was used in fan edits, you see a specific kind of joy. It’s messy. It’s loud. It’s unapologetic. That’s the core of the MGK brand.
The Production Behind the Scenes
Travis Barker. You can’t talk about this era without mentioning the blink-182 drummer. He produced almost the entire record. If you listen closely to "Time of Day," you hear those signature Barker drum fills—fast, crisp, and incredibly driving.
Barker has this way of making even a simple pop-punk song feel heavy. The bassline in "Time of Day" is actually more complex than people give it credit for. It’s not just four chords and a cloud of dust. There’s a layered texture to the guitars that mirrors the early 2000s work of bands like The Starting Line or New Found Glory.
Colson’s vocals on the track are also notably raw. He’s not a "perfect" singer in the technical sense. He strains. He rasps. He sounds like he’s losing his breath. For this genre, that’s exactly what you want. It feels like he’s performing it in a garage, even if it was actually recorded in a multi-million dollar studio in Calabasas.
The Lyricism of Disconnect
The lyrics of "Time of Day" deal with something we all feel but rarely talk about: the feeling of being too busy to care, yet desperately wanting to be noticed.
"You don't even give me the time of day"
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It's a classic trope. But in the context of MGK’s life at the time—being followed by paparazzi, dealing with internet hate, and managing a high-profile relationship—it takes on a different meaning. It’s about the disconnect between the public persona and the actual person.
The Impact on the Mainstream Sellout Era
When Mainstream Sellout hit Number 1 on the Billboard 200, it proved that the rock transition wasn't a fluke. "Time of Day" helped solidify that. It showed that MGK could collaborate outside of the traditional rock circle and still keep the aesthetic intact.
- It expanded his reach into the "influencer" world.
- It provided a lighter, more upbeat counterpoint to darker tracks like "5150."
- It reinforced the idea that modern music is genreless.
Is it his best song? Probably not. Is it an essential piece of the puzzle for understanding 2020s pop-punk? Absolutely.
Common Misconceptions About the Song
A lot of people think "Time of Day" was a lead single. It wasn't. It was part of the "Life in Pink" deluxe edition release. People also often confuse it with his other collaborations from that era, like the ones with Willow Smith or Bring Me The Horizon.
Another big one: people assume Larray’s part was ghostwritten. While MGK and his team definitely steered the ship, Larray has been vocal about his involvement in the creative process. It was a genuine friendship-turned-collaboration, not just a label-mandated "feature" to get clicks.
The Visual Aesthetic
If you look at the promotional material around time of day mgk, it’s all neon pink, black leather, and messy hair. This wasn't just music; it was a lifestyle brand. The "Time of Day" vibe is very much "end of the party" energy. It’s the song that plays when the lights are about to come on, but you still have half a drink left and you’re not ready to go home.
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Where Does He Go From Here?
As we look at MGK in 2026, he’s moved back toward a blend of rap and rock. He’s matured. But the "Time of Day" era remains a fascinatng snapshot of a time when rock music was allowed to be fun, bright, and even a little bit silly again.
He proved that you could be a "serious" artist while still making songs with TikTokers. He proved that the "time of day" you give to your critics doesn't matter as long as your fans are screaming the lyrics back at you.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Creators
If you’re looking to capture that same energy or understand how to navigate the modern music landscape, here are a few takeaways from the MGK playbook:
- Collaborate outside your bubble. Don't just work with people in your genre. Find someone with a completely different audience and see where your styles overlap.
- Embrace the "Cringe." If you're worried about being "cool," you're already losing. The most successful moments in the time of day mgk era came from him leaning into the things people made fun of him for.
- Focus on the Live Energy. Even if a song is simple, the way it’s performed matters. MGK’s success is 90% built on his stage presence and the physical energy he brings to the music.
- Visual Consistency is Key. Notice how every single piece of content from that era felt like it belonged to the same world. Whether it was a 15-second clip or a full music video, the colors and fashion were consistent.
To truly appreciate the track, go back and watch the live footage from the Mainstream Sellout tour. You'll see thousands of people who don't care about "genre purity"—they just care about the feeling. That’s the real legacy of this song. It’s a reminder that music is meant to be lived, not just analyzed.
The best way to experience this era is to listen to the Mainstream Sellout (Life in Pink Deluxe) album in its entirety, paying close attention to the transition between the high-octane rock tracks and the more collaborative "internet-culture" songs like "Time of Day." It provides a much clearer picture of how Colson Baker successfully navigated one of the most polarizing career shifts in modern music history.