Perform in Prison

Kevin Gates, born Kevin Jerome Gilyard on February 5, 1986, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is an American rapper, singer, and entrepreneur. Known for his distinctive style blending Southern hip-hop with introspective lyrics and unique vocal delivery, he grew up in a challenging environment, facing poverty, crime, and an absent father, with his mother struggling to provide. Exposed to street life early, he found himself drawn into that lifestyle. Passionate about music since his teenage years, influenced by Master P, Nas, and Tupac Shakur, he began recording under the name 'Kevin Gilyard' in the early 2000s. His first significant break came in 2007 with his mixtape 'Pick of Da Litter.' Gates gained recognition and signed with Dead Game Records, releasing more music and developing his style. He gained national recognition with mixtapes 'The Luca Brasi Story' (2013) and 'By Any Means' (2014), and the single '2 Phones' became a viral hit. In 2016, he released his debut studio album 'Islah', which debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 chart and included hit singles like 'Really Really'. He has openly discussed his struggles with mental health and personal issues and has experienced several legal troubles, including stints in jail for gun charges and an unrelated incident. Despite these challenges, he continues to produce music. Unpredictable, stubborn, and bipolar, he enjoys working out and car racing but dislikes superficiality and dishonesty.