Kevin Gates

Kevin Gates’ music is rooted in conflict—he battles the law, betrayal and, most of all, himself. “Sometimes in a person’s life, they can be their [own] biggest obstacle,” he told Apple Music near the release of his 2019 album I’m Him, and his records document that struggle with intensity. Born in 1986 and raised in Baton Rouge, his career developed in fits and starts as legal troubles derailed his regional momentum, but beginning with 2013’s The Luca Brasi Story, he released a string of mixtapes that steadily elevated his profile. The key to his rise was his blend of forceful storytelling and sneaky musicality—on verses, Gates’ baritone bark conveys urgency with every syllable, but he also sings with an instinctive feel for melodic hooks (see 2016’s “Great Example”). By the time of his 2016 debut album, Islah, a ferocious showcase of rapping virtuosity, the attention finally caught up with his artistry, and singles like “2 Phones” and “Really Really” could be heard pumping out of street-shaking car stereos everywhere. Khaza, from 2022, was an introspective project named after his son that explored fatherhood and personal growth. And he continued to vulnerably face his imperfections on his fourth album, 2024’s The Ceremony. A proud outsider whose records are light on features and star producers, Gates doesn’t fit neatly into any single sound or scene—but considering his stellar track record and consistent evolution, that status seems to suit him perfectly fine.