Our top ten Kevin Gates songs list presents the music of a Louisiana-born artist known for his successful career in the rap scene. Born in 1986, Kevin Gates ventured into rapping in 2007 signing a recording deal with Dead Game Records. Despite having a fairly great start, Kevin Gates’ career was distracted by his stint in the prison between 2008 and 2011. However, Kevin Gates made a great comeback in 2012, laying a solid foundation for his success in the mid-2010s.
Kevin Gates has been quite active in the rap scene releasing seventeen mixtapes, three studio albums, and two extended plays. The rapper’s music incorporates elements of contemporary rap, gangsta rap, and southern rap influences with most of his songs giving us a ride to Kevin Gates’ autobiography. Kevin Gates has cited Biggie Smalls, Eminem, Nas, Tupac Shakur, and Jay-Z as his influences in his rap career.
Kevin Gates’ Career Beginnings and Breakthrough with Mixtape Releases
Kevin Gates’ career beginnings were marked by the release of his 2007 debut mixtape Pick of Da Litter. Pick of Da Litter found the rapper teaming up with fellow Baton Rouge rappers Webbie and Boosie Badazz. Kevin Gates’ career almost took a nosedive after he was incarcerated in 2008. Nevertheless, his release from prison gave him a chance to rekindle his once-promising rap career. Without hesitation, Kevin Gates issued his mixtape Make ‘Em Believe in 2012.
Make ‘Em Believe earned Kevin Gates the attention of rap/hip-hop aficionados. The mixtape never made it to the mainstream charts but played a significant role in helping Kevin Gates put his best foot forward as an upcoming rap star. “Satellites,” “Trap Girl,” and “Don’t Know What to Call It” are some of the best Kevin Gates songs from Make ‘Em Believe.
Eventually, Kevin Gates was signed to Atlantic Records where he issued his first mainstream successful mixtape Stranger Than Fiction in 2013. Stranger Than Fiction made it to position eleven on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart, gracing the Billboard 200 at a peak position of number thirty-seven. “MYB,” “Strokin’,” “MYB,” “Money Magnet,” and “Smiling Faces” are some of the popular songs by Kevin Gates from his tenth mixtape Stranger Than Fiction.
By Any Means, issued in March 2014, marked Kevin Gates’ eleventh mixtape and first commercially successful release. The mixtape rose to the seventeenth spot on the Billboard 200 Chart, earning Kevin Gates his first gold-certified release. Plies, 2 Chainz, Doe B, and Rico Love were featured in various songs on this mixtape. Some of the best Kevin Gates songs from By Any Means include “Posed to Be in Love,” “Stop Lyin’,” “Wish I Had It,” and “Get Up On My Level!”
Later that year, Kevin Gates issued yet another mixtape entitled Luca Brasi 2. Luca Brasi 2 failed to surpass By Any Means on the Billboard 200, settling for a peak position of number thirty-eight. However, the mixtape guided Kevin Gates to massive commercial success earning the rapper his first platinum-certified record. August Alsina, Rico Love, K Camp, and Rich Homie Quan were all featured on this commercially successful record. “I Don’t Get Tired,” “In My Feelings,” “Perfect Imperfection,” and “Out the Mud” are the best Kevin Gates songs from Luca Brasi 2.
Kevin Gates’ First Album Islah and His Continued Success Story
Kevin Gates’ next major release was his debut studio album Islah, issued on January 2016. Islah managed to rise to the second spot in the third week of February 2016, only surpassed by Rihanna’s eighth studio album Anti. Kevin Gates also saw his debut studio album achieve massive commercial success, earning him double platinum certification in the US. “2 Phones,” “Time for That,” “Hard For,” Really Really,” and “Not the Only One” are some of the most popular songs by Kevin Gates from Islah.
In May 2016, returned with his fourteenth mixtape Murder for Hire 2. Murder for Hire 2 was a mainstream success, rising to the third spot on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart. The album also made it to the Billboard 200 rising to the twelfth spot. “Off Da Meter,” “Great Example,” “Excuse Me,” and “Believe in Me” are some of the best Kevin Gates songs from Murder for Hire 2. Unfortunately, Murder for Hire 2 failed to earn the rapper massive commercial success.
Kevin Gates rekindled his commercial success with his fifteenth mixtape By Any Means 2 which was gold certified in the US. The mixtape was also a success in the mainstream, rising to the fourth spot on the Billboard 200. Some of the most popular songs by Kevin Gates from By Any Means 2 include “Imagine That,” “No Love,” “What If,” and “Had To.” By Any Means 2 was Kevin Gates’ only released in 2017.
Chained to the City, issued on May 2018, marked Kevin Gates’ debut extended play. The extended play was barely successful. However, Chained to the City showcased Kevin Gates’ ability to keep on churning out magical rap hits, thanks to songs like “Change Lanes,” “Let It Sing,” and “Vouch.” Later in September 2018, Kevin Gates returned with his sixteenth mixtape Luca Brasi 3. Luca Brasi 3 made it to the fourth spot on the Billboard 200, earning a gold certification in the US. “In God I Trust,” “Great Man,” “Money Long,” and “Me Too” are some of the best Kevin Gates songs from the mixtape.
The rapper returned in May 2019 with his sophomore extended play, Only the Generals Gon Understand. This hip-hop/trap record made it to the tenth spot on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart, peaking at number eighteen on the Billboard 200. Only the Generals Gon Understand featured musical gems such as “Big Gangsta,” “Luv Big,” and “Yukatan.” Later in the year, Kevin Gates issued his sophomore studio album I’m Him. I’m Him rose to the fourth spot on the Billboard 200, earning a gold certification in the US. “Push It,” “Wall Talking,” “Fatal Attraction,” “Funny How,” and “Facts” are some of the best Kevin Gates songs from I’m Him.
Only the Generals, Pt. II, issued in February 2021, marked Kevin Gates’ seventeenth mixtape. The mixtape rose to the eleventh spot on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, peaking at number eighteen on the Billboard 200. “Cartel Swag,” “Fairytale,” and “Plug Daughter 2” are some of the top musical gems by Kevin Gates from the mixtape. In June 2022, Kevin Gates issued his third LP Khaza featuring a guest appearance from Juicy J. Khaza rose to the eighth spot on the Billboard 200 featuring top hits such as “Big Lyfe,” “Bad for Me,” and “Intro.”
Kevin Gates’ Accolades and Legacy
Kevin Gates might not have accumulated an array of accolades to show for his outstanding career so far. However, the artist remains one of the most sought-after rappers of the 2010s. Kevin Gates’ success came after a relentless mixtape circuit with his career flourishing in the mid-2010s. Here we present our ten most impressive songs by Kevin Gates from the rapper’s eclectic music catalog.
#10- Facts
Opening our ten best Kevin Gates songs list is the hit “Facts.” The song is one of the most imposing releases off his sophomore studio album I’m Him. Kevin Gates revealed that “Facts” is a song about him venting about all that troubled him in the past. The rapper went on to cite the need to let go of every bit of unsettled anguish in one’s life.
“Facts” never made it to the Billboard Hot 100 but managed to rise to the fourth spot on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart. The song is the best-selling release off I’m Him, having earned a gold certification in the US. Working on the song’s music video is Chandler Lass, a director known for his prodigious work with Keyshia Cole and Olivia O’Brien.
#9- Time for That
“Time for That” brings us to the compact quality of Kevin Gates’ debut studio album Islah which came after a series of mixtapes over the years. The song is centered around the rapper’s encounter with a girl where he tries to lure her into a serious relationship. In verse two of this hit, Kevin Gates pays tribute to the late rapper Soulja Slim, best known for his chart-topping hit “Slow Motion.”
“Time for That” features the background vocals of Holly Seeley, who has also contributed background vocals on Cardi B’s Invasion of Privacy. The song contains samples of “I Wonder If I Take You Home” by Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam ft. Full Force. “Time for That” rose to the nineteenth spot on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles, earning platinum certification in the US.
#8- Me Too
Coming in at the eighth spot on our ten best Kevin Gates songs is the track “Me Too.” The song is among the top musical gems from Kevin Gates’ mixtape Luca Brasi 3. “Me Too” is a confessional song about Kevin Gates’ desire to get intimate with a female friend at a club. The song rose to the fourteenth spot on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles, earning platinum certification in the US.
#7- Out the Mud
“Out the Mud” is one of the most sought-after hits by Kevin Gates from his mixtape Luca Brasi 2. The song is quite autobiographical having its lyrics tell of Kevin Gates’ relentless pursuit of glory. Kevin cites he puts in the work twenty-four hours, seven days a week without really getting tired. “Out the Mud” feels quite emblematic of Kevin Gates’ consistency in the rap scene issuing one mixtape after the other, a move that brought him acclaim in the mid-2010s. The song’s parent album Luca Brasi 2 is the rapper’s first platinum-certified record.
#6- Posed to Be in Love
Number six on our ten best Kevin Gates songs list is the hit “Posed to Be in Love.” The song is among the earliest commercially successful hits ever issued by Kevin Gates. “Posed to Be in Love” earned a gold certification (the only RIAA-certified song on Kevin Gates’ mixtape By Any Means). The song finds Kevin Gates working with the legendary producer Go Grizzly.
Other artists who have tasked Go Grizzly with the production duties of their records include Future, Drake, KSI, and DaBaby among others. “Posed to Be in Love” made it to the fifth spot on the Billboard Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Chart.
#5- Big Gangsta
Kevin Gates’ sophomore extended play Only the Generals Gon Understand was quite a momentous record featuring some of the best songs by the rapper including our fifth pick “Big Gangsta.” The song made a surprise rise into the Billboard Hot 100, rising to a peak position of number eighty-one. “Big Gangsta” also graced the Canadian Hot 100, rising to the ninety-eighth spot.
The song was also a commercial success, earning platinum certification in the US. “Big Gangsta” is among the successful hits that find Kevin Gates working with the Canadian producer Felix Leone. Other artists who have worked with Felix include Travis Scott, Chance the Rapper, Chris Brown, and Young Thug.
#4- Satellites
“Satellites” is one of Kevin Gates’ groundbreaking releases, coming from his seventh mixtape Make ‘Em Believe. In this song, the rapper claims that some of his fans feel that he is the reincarnation of Michael Jackson. While the statement feels a tad bit controversial, we cannot take it away from the rapper that “Satellites” was among the songs that catapulted him to critical acclaim. “Satellites” never made it to the charts but went ahead to earn gold certification in the US. The rapper went ahead to issue a remix version of this hit featuring Wiz Khalifa.
#3- I Don’t Get Tired ft. August Alsina
If there is a hit that fully summarizes Kevin Gates’ career and mantra in life then that would definitely be “I Don’t Get Tired.” The song was issued in December 2014 for his first platinum-certified mixtape Luca Brasi 2. “I Don’t Get Tired” finds Kevin Gates boasting about his relentless efforts to make a living—The rapper mentions working six jobs in this song.
Kevin Gates would soon after this hit’s popularity and acclaim launch an energy drink under this song’s title. “I Don’t Get Tired” is Kevin Gates’ first song ever to make it to the Billboard Hot 100 rising to number ninety. The song also was Kevin Gates’ first platinum-certified song, boasting two platinum certifications. Kevin Gates teams up with August Alsina on the rap/vocals of this song.
#2- Really Really
“Really Really” is yet another big track from Kevin Gates’ debut studio album Islah. The song came at a moment when tons of critics accused him of being money oriented and “high”. Kevin Gates issued this unapologetic hip-hop track as a response to his critics, not shying away from the claims made! The rapper seemed to be self-aware and fine with who he was in this song—In fact, he wasn’t ready to allow any hate or negativity from haters to bring him down.
“Really Really” was a mainstream success rising to the forty-sixth spot on the Billboard Hot 100. The song also managed to rise to position ninety-one on the Canadian Hot 100 Chart. “Really Really” was also impressive commercially, earning platinum certification from RIAA four times.
#1- 2 Phones
Number one on our ten best Kevin Gates songs list is the prodigious rap hit “2 Phones.” The song is the rapper’s signature track from the debut studio album Islah. “2 Phones” was a song inspired by the rapper’s busy life. Having two phones, meant that the rapper could barely mix business with pleasure. “2 Phones” was a collaborative lyrical piece between Kevin Gates and the prodigious songwriter/artist Starrah.
Starrah has also received songwriting credits in records by Drake, Normani (former member of Fifth Harmony), Camilla Cabello, and Halsey to name a few. “2 Phones” is the highest-charting hit by the rapper, rising to the seventeenth spot on the Billboard Hot 100. The song proved to be an instant commercial success now boasting four platinum certifications from RIAA.
Top 10 Kevin Gates Songs article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2022
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