Kevin Gates is on a mission. He always has been. At times, that mission might have been misunderstood. But the Baton Rouge-bred artist is more concerned with being in alignment with his music and his purpose than he is with trying to please anybody. In this day and age, where social media and cancel culture somehow reigns supreme on someone's musical fate, Kevin's energy is disruptive to the natural flow of the followers. When the hip hop highway gets too crowded, Gates knows how to disconnect himself from the world, and resurface with Khaza, his third studio album via Bread Winner Alumni/Atlantic Records.
"I had kinda pumped the brakes. I had to get back in tune spiritually," says Kevin of his awakening. "I went through this phase, where I had to start vibrating on a higher frequency. A lot of things changed for me. A lot of people fell out of my life. It was very painful. But if it wasn't for that, it could be no this." Khaza is 19 tracks of pure Kevin Gates testimony, with production handled by a range of Hip Hop's current sound masters, including Relly Made, DJ Chose, T-Minus, Nick Mira, Dzo Beatz, Ghana 1K, Patrick Carmelo, and That Boss Evan, among others.
Well aware that his private life can play out in the public eye, and not always so graciously either, Kevin knows that living in his purpose can sometimes be a struggle. It's an occasional "crucifixion" by the media, as he defines it, but it's a necessary evil that comes with being a truth teller. "People that walk around being politically correct and don't tell the truth, the world loves them, they kiss their ass," he explains. "A person like me, who gonna tell it how it is, those are the good people on Earth that get talked about the worst. That's who they point the fingers at."
Acknowledging his own personal growth, Kevin admits that his recent experiences have helped him become more comfortable and open in his music. "I aged like ten years backwards once I start living in my truth," says Kevin, before revealing that even with 17 years in the game, he's "just scratching the surface." In short, "I don't know what I stand for. I just know there's a lot of shit I ain't going for."
With the first single "Big Lyfe," Kevin furthers his philosophy of truth telling, warning of the dangers of chasing bad energy and seeking acceptance. "I don't play Instagram games. What you see is what you get. I don't use no filter," says Kevin of the social media disease. He goes a step further, in separating himself from the redundancy of today's copycat-driven influencers. He explains, "Comparison is the killer of all joy. When you're comparing your regular life to somebody else's highlight reel, you're gonna always see fluff and compare fluff to you. But I don't compare myself to fluff, because I'm authentic texture."
Kevin wrote Khaza in the span of two to three months, across various parts of the country. But whether he was in Puerto Rico writing parts of this project or in California writing a song like "Black Clouds," Gates was always mentally in the same place. On "Black Clouds," one of the project's more laid back tunes, Gates lyrically reveals his emotional turmoil and internal trauma. And on the melodic mid-tempo "Truth Be Told," Kevin honestly details love stories gone wrong. "We all make mistakes and we love to love/ you don't feel the same when my name brought up/ Heartbreak is rough, it get dangerous / You still crave my love like angel dust."
With an invitation to "get up on [his] level," Kevin preaches his word on "Scars," rapping about the permanent effect of one's internal damage. At times, Kevin is overly confident in his lyrics, but balances that with his vulnerability. "I'm constantly rediscovering parts of my life that I didn't know existed," he offers. On each track, KG delivers a necessary message that falls in line with his overall mission. His mission has a purpose, and that purpose, he believes, is predestined. "I'm in love with my mission. I'm in love with my music, and no other music makes you feel the way this makes you feel. This is a mission that I must complete."
Perfectly timed to where Gates is in his life journey, Khaza is a complete reflection of Kevin's inner soul--the medicine needed to heal from the struggles that a similar journey may present to his listeners. And he's not going to let any perceived notions about who he is stand in the way of what he needs to accomplish and those that need to heal from his music. Since the album's release Kevin has released several singles to keep the momentum building including: "Big Lyfe," "Bad For Me," "Intro," "Metro," "Major League," and his explosive "Super General (Freestyle)." The album was supported by his KHAZA national tour with several sold-out dates across the country, first kicking off in Dallas, TX. Kevin kicked off 2023 with the official DSPs release of his debut mixtape, The Luca Brais Story (A Decade of Brasi). He immediately followed up with the stand-alone release of his "Breakfast" single with the visual featuring his longtime partner, Dreka, as the leading lady.
~~~~~~~~~
As an artist, you've got to know yourself and your own vision first and foremost. Kevin Gates certainly does. The Baton Rouge-based rapper doesn't pull any punches, and his honesty fuels everything he does. More importantly, you can get to know him very well just by listening to what he's got to say on tape.
Rap felt like destiny for him from a very young age. In a house with stacks of records and CDs, he became engaged by the likes of Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, and The Notorious B.I.G. as a child. Watching music videos religiously, the burgeoning MC would then perform for his aunts and uncles during family gatherings.
"I'd emulate what I saw on TV," he recalls. "I'd pretend like I was a rapper for my family. I just knew that this is what I was meant to do. I never questioned it. I felt that for as long as I can remember."
In 2004, he entered a local studio for the very first time and started professionally recording. Three years later, he dropped his breakout debut mixtape, Pick Of Da Litter. As he passed out thousands of CDs around the area, his buzz started to spread like wildfire and he began playing multiple shows per week. Shortly after, he unleashed the 2008 hit "Get in the Way" featuring Lil Boosie, developing a devout national following in the process. However, in the aftermath of the track's success, Gates faced incarceration until 2011.
"When I got out, my fan base had strangely grown," he admits. "It was so crazy to me. Once I came home, I knew that I had to just focus on the music. I practically never left the studio after that. It was all about recording and making more songs."
Gates also took the opportunity to found his very own record label, Bread Winners Association, in 2011. As a banner for his movement, the company touts an important ethos for the artist that courses through all of his output.
"Bread Winners Association was always an idea," he says. "I got serious with it upon being reinserted into society. This is the way I see it. If you're making money and supporting yourself or your family, you're a Bread Winner. It's not about how much money you make. It's about hustling to survive for a better life for yourself and the people you love. It also means, 'Be what you are'. The biggest quote for me is Shakespeare's 'To thine own self be true'. That's my philosophy. If I'm in a situation, it has to feel like me."
He upheld that even when offered a deal with Young Money Entertainment in 2012. Gates respectfully (and famously) passed, having been inspired by Cash Money Records co-founder Birdman's own story of "taking twenty years" to build a brand. He took it to heart and wholeheartedly pursued his own path. 2013 saw him make waves a few times with The Luca Brasi Story, which Rolling Stone dubbed "One of the 20 Best Hip Hop Albums of 2013", and an incendiary feature on Pusha T's "Trust You". That year, Stranger Than Fiction put Gates on the map once again, boasting cameos by Wiz Khalifa and Juicy J and garnering unanimous praise from Pitchfork, The Fader, Complex, and Spin.
However, 2014's By Any Means raised the bar even higher for Gates. Unflinchingly real, he delivers razor sharp verses with intricate wordplay as well as hard, yet hypnotic hooks. Once again, he attracted everybody from Plies ["Keep F****** With Me"] and Rico Love ["Go Hard"] to 2 Chainz ["Bet I'm On It"] and the late, legendary Doe B ["Amnesia"] to the studio. About the latter, he goes on, "When I met Doe B, we had instant chemistry. It's like I had known him my whole life. It was immediate and so real".
Meanwhile, "Arm & Hammer" swings from ominous production into rough rhymes before colliding on an anthemic and gruff verse. Simultaneously, "Don't Know" showcases his penchant for a powerful and passionate melody. "People can get different things from it," he explains. "It's like a movie. You can picture it and get your own story. When I listen to music, it captures a moment. I hope it's that way for everybody else."
By Any Means also solidified him as a 21st century heavyweight. Upon release, it nearly doubled the first-week sales of Stranger Than Fiction, landing at #17 on the Billboard Top 200 and #3 on the Current Rap Albums Overall Chart. With his partnership between Bread Winners Association and Atlantic Records in place, Gates sees even bigger things in store.
"This alliance between us is great," he continues. "Atlantic allows me to embrace new challenges like stepping outside of myself and out of my comfort zone. That's encouraged me to be a better songwriter and artist. Having my own label, I wanted to learn how to successfully run a label. Why not learn from one of the most successful in the game?"
Ultimately though, it always remains about the same thing for Gates--the music. He leaves off, "It feels good when people appreciate my art in its entirety. That makes me feel great. I want everyone to experience this in its entirety. Other than that, I don't have any complaints. As long as I can record, I'm okay. That's all that matters."
show less
"I had kinda pumped the brakes. I had to get back in tune spiritually," says Kevin of his awakening. "I went through this phase, where I had to start vibrating on a higher frequency. A lot of things changed for me. A lot of people fell out of my life. It was very painful. But if it wasn't for that, it could be no this." Khaza is 19 tracks of pure Kevin Gates testimony, with production handled by a range of Hip Hop's current sound masters, including Relly Made, DJ Chose, T-Minus, Nick Mira, Dzo Beatz, Ghana 1K, Patrick Carmelo, and That Boss Evan, among others.
Well aware that his private life can play out in the public eye, and not always so graciously either, Kevin knows that living in his purpose can sometimes be a struggle. It's an occasional "crucifixion" by the media, as he defines it, but it's a necessary evil that comes with being a truth teller. "People that walk around being politically correct and don't tell the truth, the world loves them, they kiss their ass," he explains. "A person like me, who gonna tell it how it is, those are the good people on Earth that get talked about the worst. That's who they point the fingers at."
Acknowledging his own personal growth, Kevin admits that his recent experiences have helped him become more comfortable and open in his music. "I aged like ten years backwards once I start living in my truth," says Kevin, before revealing that even with 17 years in the game, he's "just scratching the surface." In short, "I don't know what I stand for. I just know there's a lot of shit I ain't going for."
With the first single "Big Lyfe," Kevin furthers his philosophy of truth telling, warning of the dangers of chasing bad energy and seeking acceptance. "I don't play Instagram games. What you see is what you get. I don't use no filter," says Kevin of the social media disease. He goes a step further, in separating himself from the redundancy of today's copycat-driven influencers. He explains, "Comparison is the killer of all joy. When you're comparing your regular life to somebody else's highlight reel, you're gonna always see fluff and compare fluff to you. But I don't compare myself to fluff, because I'm authentic texture."
Kevin wrote Khaza in the span of two to three months, across various parts of the country. But whether he was in Puerto Rico writing parts of this project or in California writing a song like "Black Clouds," Gates was always mentally in the same place. On "Black Clouds," one of the project's more laid back tunes, Gates lyrically reveals his emotional turmoil and internal trauma. And on the melodic mid-tempo "Truth Be Told," Kevin honestly details love stories gone wrong. "We all make mistakes and we love to love/ you don't feel the same when my name brought up/ Heartbreak is rough, it get dangerous / You still crave my love like angel dust."
With an invitation to "get up on [his] level," Kevin preaches his word on "Scars," rapping about the permanent effect of one's internal damage. At times, Kevin is overly confident in his lyrics, but balances that with his vulnerability. "I'm constantly rediscovering parts of my life that I didn't know existed," he offers. On each track, KG delivers a necessary message that falls in line with his overall mission. His mission has a purpose, and that purpose, he believes, is predestined. "I'm in love with my mission. I'm in love with my music, and no other music makes you feel the way this makes you feel. This is a mission that I must complete."
Perfectly timed to where Gates is in his life journey, Khaza is a complete reflection of Kevin's inner soul--the medicine needed to heal from the struggles that a similar journey may present to his listeners. And he's not going to let any perceived notions about who he is stand in the way of what he needs to accomplish and those that need to heal from his music. Since the album's release Kevin has released several singles to keep the momentum building including: "Big Lyfe," "Bad For Me," "Intro," "Metro," "Major League," and his explosive "Super General (Freestyle)." The album was supported by his KHAZA national tour with several sold-out dates across the country, first kicking off in Dallas, TX. Kevin kicked off 2023 with the official DSPs release of his debut mixtape, The Luca Brais Story (A Decade of Brasi). He immediately followed up with the stand-alone release of his "Breakfast" single with the visual featuring his longtime partner, Dreka, as the leading lady.
~~~~~~~~~
As an artist, you've got to know yourself and your own vision first and foremost. Kevin Gates certainly does. The Baton Rouge-based rapper doesn't pull any punches, and his honesty fuels everything he does. More importantly, you can get to know him very well just by listening to what he's got to say on tape.
Rap felt like destiny for him from a very young age. In a house with stacks of records and CDs, he became engaged by the likes of Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, and The Notorious B.I.G. as a child. Watching music videos religiously, the burgeoning MC would then perform for his aunts and uncles during family gatherings.
"I'd emulate what I saw on TV," he recalls. "I'd pretend like I was a rapper for my family. I just knew that this is what I was meant to do. I never questioned it. I felt that for as long as I can remember."
In 2004, he entered a local studio for the very first time and started professionally recording. Three years later, he dropped his breakout debut mixtape, Pick Of Da Litter. As he passed out thousands of CDs around the area, his buzz started to spread like wildfire and he began playing multiple shows per week. Shortly after, he unleashed the 2008 hit "Get in the Way" featuring Lil Boosie, developing a devout national following in the process. However, in the aftermath of the track's success, Gates faced incarceration until 2011.
"When I got out, my fan base had strangely grown," he admits. "It was so crazy to me. Once I came home, I knew that I had to just focus on the music. I practically never left the studio after that. It was all about recording and making more songs."
Gates also took the opportunity to found his very own record label, Bread Winners Association, in 2011. As a banner for his movement, the company touts an important ethos for the artist that courses through all of his output.
"Bread Winners Association was always an idea," he says. "I got serious with it upon being reinserted into society. This is the way I see it. If you're making money and supporting yourself or your family, you're a Bread Winner. It's not about how much money you make. It's about hustling to survive for a better life for yourself and the people you love. It also means, 'Be what you are'. The biggest quote for me is Shakespeare's 'To thine own self be true'. That's my philosophy. If I'm in a situation, it has to feel like me."
He upheld that even when offered a deal with Young Money Entertainment in 2012. Gates respectfully (and famously) passed, having been inspired by Cash Money Records co-founder Birdman's own story of "taking twenty years" to build a brand. He took it to heart and wholeheartedly pursued his own path. 2013 saw him make waves a few times with The Luca Brasi Story, which Rolling Stone dubbed "One of the 20 Best Hip Hop Albums of 2013", and an incendiary feature on Pusha T's "Trust You". That year, Stranger Than Fiction put Gates on the map once again, boasting cameos by Wiz Khalifa and Juicy J and garnering unanimous praise from Pitchfork, The Fader, Complex, and Spin.
However, 2014's By Any Means raised the bar even higher for Gates. Unflinchingly real, he delivers razor sharp verses with intricate wordplay as well as hard, yet hypnotic hooks. Once again, he attracted everybody from Plies ["Keep F****** With Me"] and Rico Love ["Go Hard"] to 2 Chainz ["Bet I'm On It"] and the late, legendary Doe B ["Amnesia"] to the studio. About the latter, he goes on, "When I met Doe B, we had instant chemistry. It's like I had known him my whole life. It was immediate and so real".
Meanwhile, "Arm & Hammer" swings from ominous production into rough rhymes before colliding on an anthemic and gruff verse. Simultaneously, "Don't Know" showcases his penchant for a powerful and passionate melody. "People can get different things from it," he explains. "It's like a movie. You can picture it and get your own story. When I listen to music, it captures a moment. I hope it's that way for everybody else."
By Any Means also solidified him as a 21st century heavyweight. Upon release, it nearly doubled the first-week sales of Stranger Than Fiction, landing at #17 on the Billboard Top 200 and #3 on the Current Rap Albums Overall Chart. With his partnership between Bread Winners Association and Atlantic Records in place, Gates sees even bigger things in store.
"This alliance between us is great," he continues. "Atlantic allows me to embrace new challenges like stepping outside of myself and out of my comfort zone. That's encouraged me to be a better songwriter and artist. Having my own label, I wanted to learn how to successfully run a label. Why not learn from one of the most successful in the game?"
Ultimately though, it always remains about the same thing for Gates--the music. He leaves off, "It feels good when people appreciate my art in its entirety. That makes me feel great. I want everyone to experience this in its entirety. Other than that, I don't have any complaints. As long as I can record, I'm okay. That's all that matters."
Kevin Gates is on a mission. He always has been. At times, that mission might have been misunderstood. But the Baton Rouge-bred artist is more concerned with being in alignment with his music and his purpose than he is with trying to please anybody. In this day and age, where social media and cancel culture somehow reigns supreme on someone's musical fate, Kevin's energy is disruptive to the natural flow of the followers. When the hip hop highway gets too crowded, Gates knows how to disconnect himself from the world, and resurface with Khaza, his third studio album via Bread Winner Alumni/Atlantic Records.
"I had kinda pumped the brakes. I had to get back in tune spiritually," says Kevin of his awakening. "I went through this phase, where I had to start vibrating on a higher frequency. A lot of things changed for me. A lot of people fell out of my life. It was very painful. But if it wasn't for that, it could be no this." Khaza is 19 tracks of pure Kevin Gates testimony, with production handled by a range of Hip Hop's current sound masters, including Relly Made, DJ Chose, T-Minus, Nick Mira, Dzo Beatz, Ghana 1K, Patrick Carmelo, and That Boss Evan, among others.
Well aware that his private life can play out in the public eye, and not always so graciously either, Kevin knows that living in his purpose can sometimes be a struggle. It's an occasional "crucifixion" by the media, as he defines it, but it's a necessary evil that comes with being a truth teller. "People that walk around being politically correct and don't tell the truth, the world loves them, they kiss their ass," he explains. "A person like me, who gonna tell it how it is, those are the good people on Earth that get talked about the worst. That's who they point the fingers at."
Acknowledging his own personal growth, Kevin admits that his recent experiences have helped him become more comfortable and open in his music. "I aged like ten years backwards once I start living in my truth," says Kevin, before revealing that even with 17 years in the game, he's "just scratching the surface." In short, "I don't know what I stand for. I just know there's a lot of shit I ain't going for."
With the first single "Big Lyfe," Kevin furthers his philosophy of truth telling, warning of the dangers of chasing bad energy and seeking acceptance. "I don't play Instagram games. What you see is what you get. I don't use no filter," says Kevin of the social media disease. He goes a step further, in separating himself from the redundancy of today's copycat-driven influencers. He explains, "Comparison is the killer of all joy. When you're comparing your regular life to somebody else's highlight reel, you're gonna always see fluff and compare fluff to you. But I don't compare myself to fluff, because I'm authentic texture."
Kevin wrote Khaza in the span of two to three months, across various parts of the country. But whether he was in Puerto Rico writing parts of this project or in California writing a song like "Black Clouds," Gates was always mentally in the same place. On "Black Clouds," one of the project's more laid back tunes, Gates lyrically reveals his emotional turmoil and internal trauma. And on the melodic mid-tempo "Truth Be Told," Kevin honestly details love stories gone wrong. "We all make mistakes and we love to love/ you don't feel the same when my name brought up/ Heartbreak is rough, it get dangerous / You still crave my love like angel dust."
With an invitation to "get up on [his] level," Kevin preaches his word on "Scars," rapping about the permanent effect of one's internal damage. At times, Kevin is overly confident in his lyrics, but balances that with his vulnerability. "I'm constantly rediscovering parts of my life that I didn't know existed," he offers. On each track, KG delivers a necessary message that falls in line with his overall mission. His mission has a purpose, and that purpose, he believes, is predestined. "I'm in love with my mission. I'm in love with my music, and no other music makes you feel the way this makes you feel. This is a mission that I must complete."
Perfectly timed to where Gates is in his life journey, Khaza is a complete reflection of Kevin's inner soul--the medicine needed to heal from the struggles that a similar journey may present to his listeners. And he's not going to let any perceived notions about who he is stand in the way of what he needs to accomplish and those that need to heal from his music. Since the album's release Kevin has released several singles to keep the momentum building including: "Big Lyfe," "Bad For Me," "Intro," "Metro," "Major League," and his explosive "Super General (Freestyle)." The album was supported by his KHAZA national tour with several sold-out dates across the country, first kicking off in Dallas, TX. Kevin kicked off 2023 with the official DSPs release of his debut mixtape, The Luca Brais Story (A Decade of Brasi). He immediately followed up with the stand-alone release of his "Breakfast" single with the visual featuring his longtime partner, Dreka, as the leading lady.
~~~~~~~~~
As an artist, you've got to know yourself and your own vision first and foremost. Kevin Gates certainly does. The Baton Rouge-based rapper doesn't pull any punches, and his honesty fuels everything he does. More importantly, you can get to know him very well just by listening to what he's got to say on tape.
Rap felt like destiny for him from a very young age. In a house with stacks of records and CDs, he became engaged by the likes of Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, and The Notorious B.I.G. as a child. Watching music videos religiously, the burgeoning MC would then perform for his aunts and uncles during family gatherings.
"I'd emulate what I saw on TV," he recalls. "I'd pretend like I was a rapper for my family. I just knew that this is what I was meant to do. I never questioned it. I felt that for as long as I can remember."
In 2004, he entered a local studio for the very first time and started professionally recording. Three years later, he dropped his breakout debut mixtape, Pick Of Da Litter. As he passed out thousands of CDs around the area, his buzz started to spread like wildfire and he began playing multiple shows per week. Shortly after, he unleashed the 2008 hit "Get in the Way" featuring Lil Boosie, developing a devout national following in the process. However, in the aftermath of the track's success, Gates faced incarceration until 2011.
"When I got out, my fan base had strangely grown," he admits. "It was so crazy to me. Once I came home, I knew that I had to just focus on the music. I practically never left the studio after that. It was all about recording and making more songs."
Gates also took the opportunity to found his very own record label, Bread Winners Association, in 2011. As a banner for his movement, the company touts an important ethos for the artist that courses through all of his output.
"Bread Winners Association was always an idea," he says. "I got serious with it upon being reinserted into society. This is the way I see it. If you're making money and supporting yourself or your family, you're a Bread Winner. It's not about how much money you make. It's about hustling to survive for a better life for yourself and the people you love. It also means, 'Be what you are'. The biggest quote for me is Shakespeare's 'To thine own self be true'. That's my philosophy. If I'm in a situation, it has to feel like me."
He upheld that even when offered a deal with Young Money Entertainment in 2012. Gates respectfully (and famously) passed, having been inspired by Cash Money Records co-founder Birdman's own story of "taking twenty years" to build a brand. He took it to heart and wholeheartedly pursued his own path. 2013 saw him make waves a few times with The Luca Brasi Story, which Rolling Stone dubbed "One of the 20 Best Hip Hop Albums of 2013", and an incendiary feature on Pusha T's "Trust You". That year, Stranger Than Fiction put Gates on the map once again, boasting cameos by Wiz Khalifa and Juicy J and garnering unanimous praise from Pitchfork, The Fader, Complex, and Spin.
However, 2014's By Any Means raised the bar even higher for Gates. Unflinchingly real, he delivers razor sharp verses with intricate wordplay as well as hard, yet hypnotic hooks. Once again, he attracted everybody from Plies ["Keep F****** With Me"] and Rico Love ["Go Hard"] to 2 Chainz ["Bet I'm On It"] and the late, legendary Doe B ["Amnesia"] to the studio. About the latter, he goes on, "When I met Doe B, we had instant chemistry. It's like I had known him my whole life. It was immediate and so real".
Meanwhile, "Arm & Hammer" swings from ominous production into rough rhymes before colliding on an anthemic and gruff verse. Simultaneously, "Don't Know" showcases his penchant for a powerful and passionate melody. "People can get different things from it," he explains. "It's like a movie. You can picture it and get your own story. When I listen to music, it captures a moment. I hope it's that way for everybody else."
By Any Means also solidified him as a 21st century heavyweight. Upon release, it nearly doubled the first-week sales of Stranger Than Fiction, landing at #17 on the Billboard Top 200 and #3 on the Current Rap Albums Overall Chart. With his partnership between Bread Winners Association and Atlantic Records in place, Gates sees even bigger things in store.
"This alliance between us is great," he continues. "Atlantic allows me to embrace new challenges like stepping outside of myself and out of my comfort zone. That's encouraged me to be a better songwriter and artist. Having my own label, I wanted to learn how to successfully run a label. Why not learn from one of the most successful in the game?"
Ultimately though, it always remains about the same thing for Gates--the music. He leaves off, "It feels good when people appreciate my art in its entirety. That makes me feel great. I want everyone to experience this in its entirety. Other than that, I don't have any complaints. As long as I can record, I'm okay. That's all that matters."
read more
"I had kinda pumped the brakes. I had to get back in tune spiritually," says Kevin of his awakening. "I went through this phase, where I had to start vibrating on a higher frequency. A lot of things changed for me. A lot of people fell out of my life. It was very painful. But if it wasn't for that, it could be no this." Khaza is 19 tracks of pure Kevin Gates testimony, with production handled by a range of Hip Hop's current sound masters, including Relly Made, DJ Chose, T-Minus, Nick Mira, Dzo Beatz, Ghana 1K, Patrick Carmelo, and That Boss Evan, among others.
Well aware that his private life can play out in the public eye, and not always so graciously either, Kevin knows that living in his purpose can sometimes be a struggle. It's an occasional "crucifixion" by the media, as he defines it, but it's a necessary evil that comes with being a truth teller. "People that walk around being politically correct and don't tell the truth, the world loves them, they kiss their ass," he explains. "A person like me, who gonna tell it how it is, those are the good people on Earth that get talked about the worst. That's who they point the fingers at."
Acknowledging his own personal growth, Kevin admits that his recent experiences have helped him become more comfortable and open in his music. "I aged like ten years backwards once I start living in my truth," says Kevin, before revealing that even with 17 years in the game, he's "just scratching the surface." In short, "I don't know what I stand for. I just know there's a lot of shit I ain't going for."
With the first single "Big Lyfe," Kevin furthers his philosophy of truth telling, warning of the dangers of chasing bad energy and seeking acceptance. "I don't play Instagram games. What you see is what you get. I don't use no filter," says Kevin of the social media disease. He goes a step further, in separating himself from the redundancy of today's copycat-driven influencers. He explains, "Comparison is the killer of all joy. When you're comparing your regular life to somebody else's highlight reel, you're gonna always see fluff and compare fluff to you. But I don't compare myself to fluff, because I'm authentic texture."
Kevin wrote Khaza in the span of two to three months, across various parts of the country. But whether he was in Puerto Rico writing parts of this project or in California writing a song like "Black Clouds," Gates was always mentally in the same place. On "Black Clouds," one of the project's more laid back tunes, Gates lyrically reveals his emotional turmoil and internal trauma. And on the melodic mid-tempo "Truth Be Told," Kevin honestly details love stories gone wrong. "We all make mistakes and we love to love/ you don't feel the same when my name brought up/ Heartbreak is rough, it get dangerous / You still crave my love like angel dust."
With an invitation to "get up on [his] level," Kevin preaches his word on "Scars," rapping about the permanent effect of one's internal damage. At times, Kevin is overly confident in his lyrics, but balances that with his vulnerability. "I'm constantly rediscovering parts of my life that I didn't know existed," he offers. On each track, KG delivers a necessary message that falls in line with his overall mission. His mission has a purpose, and that purpose, he believes, is predestined. "I'm in love with my mission. I'm in love with my music, and no other music makes you feel the way this makes you feel. This is a mission that I must complete."
Perfectly timed to where Gates is in his life journey, Khaza is a complete reflection of Kevin's inner soul--the medicine needed to heal from the struggles that a similar journey may present to his listeners. And he's not going to let any perceived notions about who he is stand in the way of what he needs to accomplish and those that need to heal from his music. Since the album's release Kevin has released several singles to keep the momentum building including: "Big Lyfe," "Bad For Me," "Intro," "Metro," "Major League," and his explosive "Super General (Freestyle)." The album was supported by his KHAZA national tour with several sold-out dates across the country, first kicking off in Dallas, TX. Kevin kicked off 2023 with the official DSPs release of his debut mixtape, The Luca Brais Story (A Decade of Brasi). He immediately followed up with the stand-alone release of his "Breakfast" single with the visual featuring his longtime partner, Dreka, as the leading lady.
~~~~~~~~~
As an artist, you've got to know yourself and your own vision first and foremost. Kevin Gates certainly does. The Baton Rouge-based rapper doesn't pull any punches, and his honesty fuels everything he does. More importantly, you can get to know him very well just by listening to what he's got to say on tape.
Rap felt like destiny for him from a very young age. In a house with stacks of records and CDs, he became engaged by the likes of Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, and The Notorious B.I.G. as a child. Watching music videos religiously, the burgeoning MC would then perform for his aunts and uncles during family gatherings.
"I'd emulate what I saw on TV," he recalls. "I'd pretend like I was a rapper for my family. I just knew that this is what I was meant to do. I never questioned it. I felt that for as long as I can remember."
In 2004, he entered a local studio for the very first time and started professionally recording. Three years later, he dropped his breakout debut mixtape, Pick Of Da Litter. As he passed out thousands of CDs around the area, his buzz started to spread like wildfire and he began playing multiple shows per week. Shortly after, he unleashed the 2008 hit "Get in the Way" featuring Lil Boosie, developing a devout national following in the process. However, in the aftermath of the track's success, Gates faced incarceration until 2011.
"When I got out, my fan base had strangely grown," he admits. "It was so crazy to me. Once I came home, I knew that I had to just focus on the music. I practically never left the studio after that. It was all about recording and making more songs."
Gates also took the opportunity to found his very own record label, Bread Winners Association, in 2011. As a banner for his movement, the company touts an important ethos for the artist that courses through all of his output.
"Bread Winners Association was always an idea," he says. "I got serious with it upon being reinserted into society. This is the way I see it. If you're making money and supporting yourself or your family, you're a Bread Winner. It's not about how much money you make. It's about hustling to survive for a better life for yourself and the people you love. It also means, 'Be what you are'. The biggest quote for me is Shakespeare's 'To thine own self be true'. That's my philosophy. If I'm in a situation, it has to feel like me."
He upheld that even when offered a deal with Young Money Entertainment in 2012. Gates respectfully (and famously) passed, having been inspired by Cash Money Records co-founder Birdman's own story of "taking twenty years" to build a brand. He took it to heart and wholeheartedly pursued his own path. 2013 saw him make waves a few times with The Luca Brasi Story, which Rolling Stone dubbed "One of the 20 Best Hip Hop Albums of 2013", and an incendiary feature on Pusha T's "Trust You". That year, Stranger Than Fiction put Gates on the map once again, boasting cameos by Wiz Khalifa and Juicy J and garnering unanimous praise from Pitchfork, The Fader, Complex, and Spin.
However, 2014's By Any Means raised the bar even higher for Gates. Unflinchingly real, he delivers razor sharp verses with intricate wordplay as well as hard, yet hypnotic hooks. Once again, he attracted everybody from Plies ["Keep F****** With Me"] and Rico Love ["Go Hard"] to 2 Chainz ["Bet I'm On It"] and the late, legendary Doe B ["Amnesia"] to the studio. About the latter, he goes on, "When I met Doe B, we had instant chemistry. It's like I had known him my whole life. It was immediate and so real".
Meanwhile, "Arm & Hammer" swings from ominous production into rough rhymes before colliding on an anthemic and gruff verse. Simultaneously, "Don't Know" showcases his penchant for a powerful and passionate melody. "People can get different things from it," he explains. "It's like a movie. You can picture it and get your own story. When I listen to music, it captures a moment. I hope it's that way for everybody else."
By Any Means also solidified him as a 21st century heavyweight. Upon release, it nearly doubled the first-week sales of Stranger Than Fiction, landing at #17 on the Billboard Top 200 and #3 on the Current Rap Albums Overall Chart. With his partnership between Bread Winners Association and Atlantic Records in place, Gates sees even bigger things in store.
"This alliance between us is great," he continues. "Atlantic allows me to embrace new challenges like stepping outside of myself and out of my comfort zone. That's encouraged me to be a better songwriter and artist. Having my own label, I wanted to learn how to successfully run a label. Why not learn from one of the most successful in the game?"
Ultimately though, it always remains about the same thing for Gates--the music. He leaves off, "It feels good when people appreciate my art in its entirety. That makes me feel great. I want everyone to experience this in its entirety. Other than that, I don't have any complaints. As long as I can record, I'm okay. That's all that matters."
show less
Date/Times:
The Regency Ballroom
30 Upcoming Events
1290 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA 94109
The Best Events
Every Week in Your Inbox
From Our Sponsors
UPCOMING EVENTS
Great suggestion! We'll be in touch.
Event reviewed successfully.