Kevin Gates

Kevin Gates, a name that hits like a raw, unfiltered story straight from the soul of Baton Rouge. Born Kevin Jerome Gilyard on February 5, 1986, in New Orleans, Louisiana, he moved to Baton Rouge as a kid, where the gritty streets and vibrant Southern culture shaped his sound. Gates isn’t just a rapper—he’s a storyteller, a poet of pain and resilience, blending trap, Southern hip-hop, and pop rap with a voice that feels like it’s been through the fire and come out stronger.

He’s most often linked with the trap and melodic rap scenes, but what sets him apart is the fluidity in his delivery. There’s a certain elegance to the way he rides a beat—a drip-soaked confidence that doesn't try too hard, yet always lands. He first caught fire under Young Thug’s wing via YSL but quickly carved out his own space with the “Drip Season” series and standout collabs with Lil Baby, Future, and Roddy Ricch.