Posted by Kevin Gates has spoken out about those who brag about killing, while addressing the permanence of the act. During a recent interview with the Off The Record podcast, he condemned those using murders as some kind of flex after Akademiks brought up the topic of trauma.
“Taking a life is very sacred,” Gates began. “I hear people brag about killing. That’s not no good thing. When you watch a soul leave a body, you know you took something that you don’t have the power to give back. See a lot of these dudes talk that, but they ain’t never stand over nothing and watch it leave. They never did that. ‘Cause if you did, you would be more respectful.
“You ain’t never stand over nothing and let it go. I know you dudes didn’t. I can tell by your spirit, you ain’t go no souls under your belt. All killers know killers. You can look at ‘em and tell. Real killers don’t walk around with they face all tude’ed up. They not tryin’ to look tough ‘cause they really left off pressure; they apply pressure. Either you’re applying it or you feelin’ it.”
Kevin Gates, who does suggest he’s been on the other end of a gun during the conversation, has a lengthy criminal record that began when he was 13. In 2003, he got into a physical altercation outside of a movie theater and stabbed his opponent several times. This was before launching his rap career four years later with the Pick of Da Litter mixtape.
Gates’ legal troubles continued in 2016 when he was convicted of battery for kicking a female fan during a Florida show. While serving his jail time, he was sentenced to a 30-month prison term at the East Moline, Illinois correctional facility for gun charges stemming from a October 2013 arrest in Chicago. Gates failed to appear for court in Illinois, leading to his warrant being reissued in December 2016. He was released on parole on January 10, 2018, although his parole ended early.
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Since then, he’s released two studio albums: 2019’s I’m Him and Khaza, which arrived in June. The latter boasted features Juicy J and Gucci Mane and peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 with over 40,000 total album-equivalent units sold in its first week. Gates hits the road on Thursday (August 18) as part of the Big Lyfe Tour, which starts in Dallas and wraps up on October 14 in Pensacola, Florida.