Kevin Gates is a Baton Rouge, Louisiana based rapper. At a young age, inspired by Dr Dre, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Snoop Dogg, and the Notorious B.I.G., Gates would perform (rap) for his family and friends at social gatherings. “I’d emulate what I saw on TV,” he says. “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.”
Gates first entered a professional studio in 2004. It wasn’t until 3 years later that he dropped his first mixtape ‘Pick of da Liter’. He self promoted PODL and created a buzz that spread like wildfire through the streets of Louisiana. Shortly after the success of the mixtape, Gates was incarcerated 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.”
With his new found following, Gates founded ‘Bread Winners Association’, a record label of his own.Bread Winners Association was always an idea,” he says. “I got serious with it upon being reinserted into society. Even when offered a spot on the ‘Young Money’ roster, Gates gracefully declined. Being a somewhat new rapper on the scene and declining such an offer is unheard of, and of course, was made into a big deal.
His sky rocket to the top has not stopped since. He has had great acclaim from Spin, Complex, Pitchfork, and The Fader. Be sure to catch him on his tour stop here in Austin.
Kevin Gates @ Emo’s
Sunday, December 6th
Buy Tickets $25
Doors at 8pm
All ages
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