
Stranger Than Fiction also marked the first time one of Gates' mixtapes charted on the Billboard 200, peaking at number 37. The mixtape also received favorable reviews despite generally being shorter than Gates had originally hoped. The mixtape deals with issues ranging from depression to Gates' time in prison. He released his first major label mixtape, Stranger Than Fiction, in July 2013. On the heels of the success of that mixtape, Gates was signed to Atlantic Records. The mixtape received critical praise with Pitchfork saying it, "imbues trap's claustrophobic bleakness with an emotional nakedness, capable lyricism, and melodic certitude many of its recent breakout stars have lacked." Rolling Stone named the mixtape's single, "Wylin' ", the 40th best song of 2013. In early 2013, Gates released the mixtape, The Luca Brasi Story, via his Bread Winners' Association record label. 2013–2014: Atlantic Records and mixtape breakthroughs He noted, however, that it was Birdman who gave him the idea to start his own record label, named Bread Winners' Association, later on. Although he was signed to the management wing, Gates never signed a record deal with Young Money. Gates was signed to the management wing of the label later that year. He also caught the attention of Lil Wayne's record label, Young Money Entertainment. In 2012, he earned some buzz with the mixtape Make 'Em Believe. Īfter his stint in prison, Gates began working on music again almost immediately. He was released early from prison for good behavior. During this time, Gates claimed he earned a master's degree in psychology through a prison program. Another mixtape, All or Nuthin ', was released in 2008 and featured what Gates described as "a lot of pain.a lot of true stories." In 2008, both Gates and Boosie were incarcerated in separate cases, effectively pausing Gates' music career. The three collaborated on Gates' first mixtape, Pick of Da Litter, in 2007. His career blossomed along with fellow Baton Rouge natives Boosie Badazz and Webbie in the mid-2000s. Gates began his career in 2007 by signing to local label Dead Game Records. Career 2007–2012: Early career, setbacks, and Young Money Gates is of Moroccan and Puerto Rican descent. When he was 17, he briefly attended Baton Rouge Community College. His father died of complications from AIDS when Gates was 14 years old. He lost contact with his father at a young age, but he later reconnected with him as a teenager. Gates had an often tumultuous upbringing and was arrested for the first time in 1999 at the age of 13 for joyriding in a stolen vehicle as a passenger. He and his family relocated to New Orleans, Louisiana, before settling in Baton Rouge. Kevin Jerome Gilyard was born on February 5, 1986, to a Puerto Rican mother and an African American father.

Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. (YoungBoy Never Broke Again featuring Kevin Gates) ( YoungBoy Never Broke Again featuring Quando Rondo and Kevin Gates) (featuring Trey Songz, Ty Dolla Sign and Jamie Foxx)

( Juicy J featuring Lil Skies and Kevin Gates) "-" denotes releases that did not chart or receive certification.Īs featured artist List of singles as featured artist, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name Singles As lead artist List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name Label: Bread Winners' Association, Atlantic, Never Broke Again."-" denotes items which were not released in that country or failed to chart.Įxtended plays List of extended plays Label: Bread Winners' Association, Dead Game.Mixtapes List of mixtapes, with selected chart positions Formats: CD, Digital download, streaming.Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming.Label: Bread Winners' Association, Atlantic.Label: Bread Winners' Association, Atlantic, Dead Game.Albums Studio albums List of studio albums, with selected chart positions
