Why did Kevin Gates Go to Prison?
Why did Kevin Gates Go to Prison? In this article, we have discussed everything you need to know about Kevin Gates.
Kevin Gates is a famous rapper with a charismatic personality and a controversial past. With hit songs like "2 Phones' ' and "Really Really," the 6'2" artist made a name for himself in the hip-hop scene. But while his music career was on the rise, his personal life was tumultuous.
Kevin Gates has experienced several legal issues throughout his life, many of which started when he was very young. He encountered numerous difficulties and hardships while growing up including family problems, violence, and poverty. He had a difficult time juggling his music career with his personal life and legal difficulties, so his road to fame was pretty shaky.
His numerous run-ins with the law led to several incarcerations, which interfered with his personal life and musical career. But despite the obstacles, Gates persisted and carried on creating music that connected with listeners all across the world. This article will examine Kevin Gates' life and career in further detail.
Who is Kevin Gates?
Early Life of Kevin Gates
Kevin Gates was born Kevin Jerome Gilyard was born on February 5, 1986. His origin is from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. His mother's name is Martha Green Gates and his father’s name is not widely known. His mother divorced his biological father when he was very young.
He was mostly grown up by his step-dad but he learned this truth when was a teen. Until then he considered his Step-Father his biological father. He was raised in a mid-income household and grew up in poverty. He has one younger brother whose name is Brandon and one younger sister whose name is Islah. Gates is of Puerto Rican and Morrocan Descent.
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His mother had a drug addiction problem. For this reason, he lived with different family members when he was young including his cousins. His cousins introduced him to new experiences and helped him in broadening his perspective. There are also some negative effects because of them. He got into drugs because of his cousins. But to this day, he still is close to them and considers them brothers.
Musical Beginnings of Kevin Gates
Kevin Gates, as a child, was always interested in different genres including Rap, R&B, and Country. His mother liked Country music and often played it in the house when he was growing up. He was mostly influenced by rap music that was popular in the 1990s and early 2000s. He wrote his first song when he was in Grade 7.
It was more like journal-writing for him rather than songwriting. He used it as therapy for him to cope with the challenges he faced when growing up. However, he didn't take music seriously until he was in his late teens. Overall, it seems that his early exposure to a wide range of musical genres played a significant role in his decision to pursue a career in the musical industry.
Gates began creating his music in the early 2000s, and his debut mixtape, "Pick of Da Litter," was released in 2007. Another mixtape, All or Nuthin', was published in 2008. He kept releasing mixtapes and gaining a local following in Baton Rouge and the surrounding areas.
But, it wasn't until he relocated to Atlanta in 2009 that he began to achieve widespread recognition. In Atlanta, Gates began working with local producers and collaborating with other artists. He also started to focus more on his songwriting and developing his style. He eventually caught the attention of rapper Lil Wayne, who signed Gates to his label, Young Money Entertainment, in 2013.
Although Gates later parted ways with Young Money, the exposure he received from the deal helped him gain even more fans and eventually led to his mainstream success.
Kevin Gates as a Musician
Critical and Commercial Success
Gates' big break came in 2013 when he signed a deal with Lil Wayne's Young Money Entertainment. During that year, his major-label debut, "Stranger Than Fiction," was made available and got favorable reviews from reviewers. The album helped to establish Gates as a rising star in the rap culture when it debuted at No. 37 on the Billboard 200 list.
Gates has since put out several popular mixtapes and albums, including "By Any Means," "Islah," and "Luca Brasi 3." His 2016 album "Islah," which was certified platinum by the RIAA, debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. Gates' mainstream popularity was aided by the album's smash songs "2 Phones" and "Really Truly."
Overall, Kevin Gates' critical and commercial success demonstrates his talent and ability to connect with viewers on an emotional level. Despite his success, Gates remained grounded and focused on his craft. He was known for his intense work ethic, often spending long hours in the studio and tirelessly promoting his music. He was also a gifted performer, known for his energetic and engaging live shows.
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Unique Sound and Personal Lyrics
Kevin Gates was well-known for his distinct sound, which included elements of hip-hop, R&B, and Southern trap music.
He was known for his dramatic and emotional songs, which frequently dealt with themes of hardship, endurance, and triumph over adversity. He took inspiration from his own experiences growing up in poverty and dealing with personal issues. His music was frequently very personal and introspective.
Kevin Gates' music was characterized by its raw honesty and emotional intensity. His powerful lyrics and distinctive sound helped establish him as one of the most exciting and innovative artists in hip-hop, and his influence can still be felt in the genre today.
Kevin Gates in Prison
Kevin Gates has spent a lot of time in and out of jail. Here is a detailed explanation of each time he was arrested:
Arrests during Teenage Years
Gates was detained for the first time in 1999 when he was just 13 years old for taking a stolen car for a joyride.
The incident caused his initial arrest and subsequent probation. He was profoundly affected by it.
Kevin Gates ran into legal issues once more in 2003, this time for possessing marijuana. Law enforcement officers detained Gates and accused him of possessing the drug. Gates received a 30-day prison sentence instead of the potential prison term that the charge carried, but it still had a deep impact on him.
Possession of Firearms and Outstanding Warrants
Gates was detained again and brought up on charges of possessing a firearm in 2008. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 31 months in prison.
He kept on recording and writing music while he was in prison. In an interview with Complex, Gates spoke about the impact of that incident on his life, saying, "That's when I knew that I was going to be one of the ones that would always be going in and out of jail."
After getting released in 2011, Gates concentrated on advancing his musical career and putting out several mixtapes. But in 2013, he was detained once more, this time for outstanding warrants connected to earlier charges involving drugs and guns. Although it is unknown why the warrants were issued, it's possible that Gates skipped court or disregarded the conditions of his bail or probation release.
Kicking a Female Fan in the Chest
During a Florida concert in 2015, a female fan attempted to touch Kevin Gates. The woman was knocked to the ground when gates hit her in the chest. This incident was captured on camera, and the video spread like wildfire.
Both the public and the fans were furious about it. Gates received a 180-day prison sentence after being found guilty of simple battery. He was, however released from prison after 30 days because of jail overcrowding. Following the incident, Gates came under fire from the general public for his rough handling of fans.
Outstanding Warrants from 2013
In 2017, Kevin Gates was arrested for having an outstanding warrant from a 2013 charge of weapon possession. The warrant was issued when Gates failed to attend a scheduled court hearing. During a visit to an Illinois parole office, Gates was found to have a handgun in his waistband, leading to his arrest and charge.
Kevin Gates was sentenced to 30 months in prison for that violation. However, he was released on parole in January 2018 after just nine months. His release was not without controversy due to his prior criminal record and the fact that he had previously been rejected for parole. Gates was embroiled in a court struggle with the Illinois Department of Prisons in 2018 about his parole status.
The lawsuit, Gilyard v. Baldwin, revolved around whether or not Gates' parole was unlawfully terminated as a result of his trip on a musical tour. The court eventually found in Gates' favor, and he was freed from jail in early 2018. Despite his legal issues, Gates has continued to compose music and has amassed a sizable fan base for his emotive lyrics and powerful performances.
PS: Why Kevin Gates Go to prison?
In a nutshell, Kevin Gates, the successful rapper known for his unique sound and personal lyrics, has had a tumultuous personal life plagued with legal issues. Growing up in poverty and with a mother battling drug addiction, Gates faced numerous hardships that contributed to his ongoing legal troubles.
Despite these obstacles, he pursued his passion for music and eventually achieved critical and commercial success, signing with Lil Wayne's Young Money Entertainment in 2013. However, Gates' run-ins with the law continued to interfere with his personal life and career, resulting in multiple incarcerations over the years.