Kevin Gates

Gates began his career in 2007 by signing to local label Dead Game Records.[12] His career blossomed along with fellow Baton Rouge natives Boosie Badazz and Webbie in the mid-2000s. The three collaborated on Gates' first mixtape, Pick of Da Litter, in 2007. Another mixtape, All or Nuthin', was released in 2008 and featured what Gates described as "a lot of pain...a lot of true stories."[13][14] In 2008, both Gates and Boosie were incarcerated in separate cases, effectively pausing Gates' music career.[13] He spent 31 months in prison between 2008 and 2011.[10][15] During this time, Gates claimed he earned a master's degree in psychology through a prison program. He was released early from prison for good behavior.[5]

After his stint in prison, Gates began working on music again almost immediately.[13] In 2012, he earned some buzz with the mixtape Make 'Em Believe.[16] He also caught the attention of Lil Wayne's record label, Young Money Entertainment. Gates was signed to the management wing of the label later that year.[13][14] Although he was signed to the management wing, Gates never signed a record deal with Young Money. He noted, however, that it was Birdman who gave him the idea to start his own record label later on.[17]

In early 2013, Gates released the mixtape, The Luca Brasi Story, via his Bread Winners' Association record label. The mixtape received critical praise with Pitchfork saying it, "imbues trap's claustrophobic bleakness with an emotional nakedness, capable lyricism, and melodic certitude many of its recent breakout stars have lacked."[18][19] Rolling Stone named the mixtape's single, "Wylin' ", the 40th best song of 2013.[20] On the heels of the success of that mixtape, Gates was signed to Atlantic Records.[14] He released his first major label mixtape, Stranger Than Fiction, in July 2013.[21][22] The mixtape deals with issues ranging from depression to Gates' time in prison.[23] The mixtape also received favorable reviews despite generally being shorter than Gates had originally hoped.[24] Stranger Than Fiction also marked the first time one of Gates' mixtapes charted on the Billboard 200, peaking at number 37.[5][25]

In support of the mixtape, Gates embarked on a 4-week tour in October across the United States called the Stranger Than Fiction Tour. The tour also featured Starlito and Don Trip.[26] After the tour, Gates again found himself in prison for parole violations. He was sentenced to 4 months, but only served 3 and a half of those. Upon his release in early March 2014, he again focused on music and, in particular, his new mixtape project, By Any Means. The mixtape was released on March 18, 2014.[19] The mixtape featured guest appearances from artists including 2 Chainz, Plies, and Rico Love.[4] The mixtape also made it to the Billboard 200, peaking at number 17.[25]

In May 2014, Gates was named a member of XXL's Freshman Class[27] He also announced the By Any Means Tour, which would run from July 15 to August 30, 2014 and feature Chevy Woods.[28] In August 2014, Gates announced the creation of a new energy drink called "I Don't Get Tired" or "#IDGT."[29] The drink is based on Gates' 2014 single of the same name that also featured August Alsina.[30]

With the release of his 13th mixtape, Luca Brasi 2, Gates earned his third Billboard 200 listing in a row. The mixtape peaked at number 38.[31] The mixtape featured the single "I Don't Get Tired" which became Gates' first song to make the US Billboard Hot 100[32] and his first song to be certified Gold.[33] In February and March 2015, Gates embarked on the I Don't Get Tired Tour throughout much of the South.[34]

In May 2015, Gates released another mixtape, Murder for Hire, which was said to be the third installment in the Luca Brasi series.[35]

In July 2015, he released the song "Kno One", which would become the first single from his debut studio album, Islah.[36]

In late August 2015, Gates was the subject of some controversy after a video surfaced of him allegedly kicking a female fan in the chest at a show in Lakeland, Florida.[37] Gates responded to the allegations shortly thereafter in the form of a song called "The Truth," noting (among other things) that the fan had been tugging on his shorts.[38] Later in October 2015, Gates announced the title and release date of his debut studio album, Islah, which means "to make better" in Arabic and is also the name of his firstborn daughter.[39] The album was originally slated for release on December 11, 2015.[40] The album would eventually be pushed back to January 29, 2016. It featured a total of four singles: "Kno One", "Time for That", "Really Really" and "2 Phones".[41] Both "Really Really" and "2 Phones" received commercial success.[32] The album sold 112,000 copies in the first week of its release and it also peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 chart.[3][25] The album had almost no guest appearances with the exception of Trey Songz, Ty Dolla Sign, and Jamie Foxx who are all featured on the bonus track, "Jam".[41][42] Islah received largely positive reviews with Inverse calling it the "Best Album of 2016 So Far".[43] Pitchfork noted that it was "by far the best single release of his career."[44]

On May 26, 2016, Gates announced that the sequel to Murder for Hire would be coming on May 27, 2016.[45]

On September 22, 2017, Gates' spouse Dreka released By Any Means 2 while he remained in prison. She handled executive controls of the project.[46] The mixtape reached number four on the Billboard 200.

In May 2018, Gates released the three-song EP Chained to the City. This serves as his first release since being released from prison.[47]

On May 31, 2019, Gates released his second EP, titled Only the Generals Gon Understand.[48]

On June 28, 2019, Gates released "Push It", along with the music video. The song served as the lead single from his second album I'm Him.[49]