Kevin Gates’ music is rooted in conflict—he battles the law, betrayal, and, most of all, himself. “Sometimes in a person’s life, they can be their [own] biggest obstacle,” he told Apple Music ahead of his 2019 album I’m Him. Gates’ early career was often derailed by legal troubles, but 2013’s The Luca Brasi Story mixtape marked a turning point. The key to his rise was his blend of forceful storytelling and sneaky musicality—on verses, Gates’ baritone bark conveys urgency with every syllable, but he also sings with an instinctive feel for melodic hooks (see 2019’s “By My Lonely”). By the time of his 2016 debut album, Islah, the attention finally caught up with his artistry, and singles like “2 Phones” and “Really Really” could be heard everywhere. His 2022 album Khaza, which featured “Big Lyfe,” was an introspective project named after his son that explored fatherhood and personal growth. He continued to vulnerably face his imperfections on his fourth album, 2024’s The Ceremony.