MKTO

---

title: "MKTO" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["american-boy-bands", "pop-music-duos", "musical-groups-established-in-2010", "pop-rap-groups", "teen-pop-groups", "columbia-records-artists", "american-male-musical-duos", "2010-establishments-in-california"] description: "American pop and hip hop duo" topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MKTO" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary American pop and hip hop duo ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox musical artist"]

Field	Value
image	MKTO Concert - Bristol, RI 2016 (28771750425).jpg
landscape	yes
caption	MKTO performing in 2016
years_active	{{flatlist
label	{{flatlist
website
current_members	* Malcolm Kelley
::

| image = MKTO Concert - Bristol, RI 2016 (28771750425).jpg | landscape = yes | caption = MKTO performing in 2016 | years_active = {{flatlist|

• 2010–2017
• 2018–2020
• 2024–present | label = {{flatlist|
• Columbia
• BMG | website = | current_members = * Malcolm Kelley
• Tony Oller | past_members =

MKTO is an American pop and hip hop duo, consisting of Malcolm Kelley and Tony Oller. Their self-titled album was released on January 30, 2014, by Columbia Records. In July 2015, the duo released their first extended play, titled Bad Girls EP. As of 2022, the band has sold over 1 million records worldwide.

Career

2010–2012: Formation

Malcolm Kelley and Tony Oller met in 2010 while filming the Nickelodeon television series Gigantic, in which their characters played best friends. They later formed as a duo and came up with the name MKTO, which represents the combined initials of their names and surnames, MK for Malcolm Kelley and TO for Tony Oller. They elaborated upon the inspiration for their name, saying: "It also stands for what our album kind of is: Misfit Kids and Total Outcasts – just like the kids we were in high school".

2012–2014: ''MKTO''

The duo signed to Columbia Records and released their debut single "Thank You" on November 12, 2012. The song's genre is a crossover between pop and hip hop. The song has attained commercial success, reaching the top ten on both the Australian and New Zealand singles charts. The song's music video was released on YouTube via Vevo on January 4, 2013, and garnered over 500,000 views within two days of being released. It now sits at over 25 million views. In the music video, Harold Perrineau, who played the father of Kelley's character on Lost, appeared as a reference to the show. MKTO released their second single, "Classic" along with the music video on June 20, 2013. Classic peaked at number 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and the music video has since compiled over 200 million views on YouTube. The music video for their third single, "God Only Knows", was released on November 29, 2013, on YouTube and Vevo. God Only Knows peaked at number 11 in Australia and at number 19 in New Zealand. In 2013, they served as the opening for Emblem3 on their summer tour across the United States. They also served as the opening for Emblem3's #bandlife Tour and Demi Lovato's "Demi: World Tour" in 2014. Their self-titled debut album was released on January 30, 2014 in Australia and New Zealand and it was released on April 1 in North America.

In February 2014, their debut album went to #1 in Australia and #6 in New Zealand. During the summer of 2014, MKTO went on their first headlining tour, the American Dream Tour. This featured opening acts Tiffany Houghton and Action Item. The fourth single from their debut album in the United States is "American Dream" and peaked at number 40 in Australia and at number 12 in New Zealand. Despite not being singles, "Forever Until Tomorrow" reached number 23 on iTunes in Australia and "Heartbreak Holiday" reached number 30 on iTunes in Australia and number 42 in the United States.

2015–2016: ''Bad Girls EP''

On July 22, 2015, MKTO released their first extended play Bad Girls EP, which was preceded by the June 2015 release of its lead single "Bad Girls". The single peaked at number 80 in Australia and peaked at number 36 on the Billboard Mainstream Top 40. The EP peaked at number 32 on the iTunes chart in Australia and number 50 on the iTunes chart in the United States. A double A-side single including two brand-new tracks "Hands Off My Heart/Places You Go" was premiered exclusively on Billboard on March 9, 2016. "Superstitious" is the second single that was released in 2016 by the duo.

2017–present: Canceled second studio album, disbandment, return

On March 10, 2017, Oller announced on Twitter that the band had broken up. However, according to their Twitter page, they plan to release new music very soon. On June 12, 2018, MKTO announced on Twitter that they were back together. Three days later, on June 15, the band announced they had signed a new record deal with BMG. Following the announcement, the duo released a new single titled, "How Can I Forget" in August 2018. In June 2019, they released another single, "Shoulda Known Better". A third single, "Marry Those Eyes" was released on September 6, 2019. "Consider Me Yours" was released on November 22, 2019. In April 2020, MKTO released a music video for Just Imagine It. They also released 3 singles, "Simple Things", "Party With My Friends" and "How Much". "Party With My Friends" peaked at number 85 on iTunes while "How Much" peaked at number 54 on iTunes. On August 17, 2021, Tony Oller announced via social media that he would be moving on from the band. However, months after this announcement, it appears he has returned as he frequently uploads on the MKTO YouTube channel and performed a live show for Hold on til Dawn in May 2022. In December 2024, Hold on til Dawn announced that they were reuniting MKTO for another benefit concert in Orlando. On January 26, 2025, Tony Oller and Malcolm Kelley took the stage for the first time since they disbanded in 2020.

Currently, MKTO plan to begin a new tour, with its first concert being announced for February 14, 2025, at Florida Southern College, as part of their annual Southern Takeover event.

Discography

Albums

::data[format=table] | Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | US | AUS | NZ | SWE | MKTO | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | | 31 | 1 | 6 | 21 | | | | ::

EPs

::data[format=table]

Title	EP details	Bad Girls EP
::

Singles

As lead artist

::data[format=table title="List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications shown"] | Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Sales | Certifications | Album | US | US Pop | AUS | BEL (Fl) Tip | CAN | NL | NZ | RUS Air | SWE | UK | "Thank You" | "Classic" | "God Only Knows" | "American Dream" | "Bad Girls" | "Hands Off My Heart/Places You Go" | "Superstitious" | "How Can I Forget" | "Shoulda Known Better" | "Marry Those Eyes" | "Consider Me Yours" | "Simple Things" | "Party with My Friends" | "How Much" | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | 2012 | — | 38 | 2 | 30 | — | 27 | 7 | — | — | — | | | MKTO | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2013 | 14 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 61 | 45 | 8 | 217 | 7 | 24 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | — | 11 | — | — | — | 19 | — | — | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2014 | — | 33 | 40 | — | — | — | 12 | — | — | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2015 | — | 36 | 80 | — | — | — | — | 211 | — | — | | | Bad Girls EP | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2016 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | | Non-album singles}} | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2018 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2019 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2020 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | "—" denotes a single that did not chart or was not released. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ::

Promotional singles

::data[format=table]

Title	Year	Album	"Forever Until Tomorrow"	"Just Imagine It"
2014	MKTO
2015	Bad Girls EP
::

As featured artist

::data[format=table title="List of singles as featured artist, showing year released and album name"] | Title | Year | Album | "Summer Paradise" (Simple Plan featuring MKTO) | |---|---|---|---| | 2013 | | | | ::

Awards and nominations

Teen Choice Awards

Main article: Teen Choice Awards

::data[format=table]

Year	Award	Category	Nominated	Result
2014	Teen Choice Awards	Choice Music: Breakout Group	MKTO
::

Radio Disney Music Awards

Main article: Radio Disney Music Awards

::data[format=table]

Year	Award	Category	Recipient	Result
2014	Radio Disney Music Awards	Catchiest New Song	"Classic"
2015	Radio Disney Music Awards	Catchiest New Song
::

Notes

References

References

1. "MKTO to Release Debut Album".
2. (January 29, 2013). "Uncover Discover". MediaWorks Radio.
3. (January 15, 2013). "MKTO Signs With Columbia Records". [[UBM plc]].
4. (October 10, 2014). "MKTO by MKTO on Apple Music".
5. (December 4, 2013). "MKTO confirm tracklisting for debut album | Hamada Mania Music Blog". Hamadamania.com.
6. "iTunes Charts - MKTO - International Chart Performance".
7. Bowman, Patrick. (May 12, 2015). "MKTO Preview New Single "Bad Girls": Listen To Funk-Pop Anthem". Idolator.com.
8. "MKTO - 'Bad Girls - EP' International iTunes Chart Performance".
9. Polanco, Luis. (March 9, 2016). "MKTO Returns With New Song 'Hands Off My Heart'/'Places You Go': Exclusive Premiere".
10. (May 12, 2016). "Get Into the Friday the 13th Spirit with MKTO's Brand New Song".
11. Teen.com. (March 10, 2017). "Another One Bites the Dust — Popular Boy Band Suddenly Breaks Up".
12. "MKTO (@WeAreMKTO) {{!}} Twitter".
13. "Let it begin.....We're back".
14. "Us with our new label @BMG we're a excited for this new journey and thank all of you for the support".
15. "Top Charts - Party With My Friends MKTO".
16. "Top Charts - How Much MKTO".
17. "Tony Oller - Twitter".
18. "Hold on til Dawn".
19. "MKTO Band - YouTube".
20. "MKTO on Instagram".
21. "OUR CONCERT".
22. "MKTO – Chart History: Billboard 200".
23. "Discography MKTO". New Zealand Charts Portal. Hung Medien.
24. "Discography MKTO". Swedish Charts Portal. Hung Medien.
25. "MKTO – Chart History: Hot 100".
26. "MKTO Album & Song Chart History – Pop Songs". [[Prometheus Global Media]].
27. "MKTO Australian Charts".
28. "Ultratop Belgium Charts".
29. "MKTO – Chart History: Billboard Canadian Hot 100".
30. "Discografie MKTO". Dutch Charts Portal. Hung Medien.
31. "MKTO New Zealand Charts".
32. "MKTO - Russia Charts".
33. "MKTO Swedish Charts".
34. "MKTO {{!}} full Official Chart History". [[Official Charts Company]].
35. "Bubbling Under: MKTO's 'Thank You' Gets Welcomed".
36. (December 31, 2014). "ARIA Charts Singles 2014". Aria.com.au.
37. "Latest Gold / Platinum Singles".
38. Mansfield, Brian. (May 11, 2014). "On the Verge: MKTO is a 'Classic' combination". [[USA Today]].
39. "Gold & Platinum Searchable Database". RIAA.
40. {{cite certification
41. (June 8, 2015). "Sverigetopplistan - Sveriges Officiella Topplista". Sverigetopplistan.se.
42. "ARIA CHarts Top 50 Singles : 8 June 2015". Aria.com.au.
43. "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Nztop40.co.nz.
44. (December 31, 2014). "ARIA Charts Singles 2014". Aria.com.au.
45. (July 28, 2014). "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart | The Official New Zealand Music Chart". Nztop40.co.nz.
46. (September 7, 2018). "How Can I Forget – Single by MKTO on Apple Music".
47. "ARIA Australian Top 40 Digital Tracks". Australian Recording Industry Association.
48. "Top 40/Mainstream > Future Releases". All Access Media Group.
49. "Marry Those Eyes – Single by MKTO".
50. "Consider Me Yours – Single by MKTO on Apple Music".
51. (January 29, 2020). "Simple Things – Single by MKTO on Apple Music".
52. (March 13, 2020). "Party With My Friends – Single by MKTO on Apple Music".
53. (May 14, 2020). "How Much – Single by MKTO on Apple Music".
54. "wearemkto - Instagram".
55. (August 10, 2014). "Teen Choice Awards: The Complete Winners List".
56. Rutherford, Kevin. "Nominees for 2014 Radio Disney Music Awards". Billboard.

::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::