Biography

Kevin Jerome Gilyard (born February 5, 1986) is a celebrated American rapper, musician, actor, and entrepreneur who goes by the stage name, Kevin Gates. He is best known for his blockbuster studio album ‘Islah,’ which was published in 2016, as well as his mixtapes ‘Stranger than Fiction‘ and ‘By Any Means.’ He is one of America’s most successful contemporary vocalists, having released multiple hit singles and mixtapes over his career.

Kevin Gates rose to prominence in the late 2000s, alongside rappers Webster Gradney, better known as Webbie, and Torrence Hatch, better known as Boosie Badazz, after signing to the local label, Dead Game Records. In 2007, the trio released their first mixtape, ‘Pack of Da Litter.’ ‘All or Nuthin‘ was released in 2008.

Kevin Gates is well recognized for his compositions that contain autobiographical themes. After publishing his debut studio album, ‘Islah,’ he became quite well-known. His influences include famous performers such as Eminem and Jay-Z.

Along with his musical brilliance, Kevin Gates has a darker side, having spent time in and out of prison on several occasions. He sparked outrage in 2015 when he kicked a female fan during a theatrical performance. He is currently serving a 30-month sentence in prison.

Kevin Gates
Kevin Gates: History, Bio, Photo
Wiki Facts & About Data
Full Name:	Kevin Jerome Gilyard
Stage Name:	Kevin Gates
Born:	5 February 1986 (age 37 years old)
Place of Birth:	New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Record:	Bread Winners’ Association
Nationality:	American
Height:	1.87 m
Parents:	Martha Green Gates
Siblings:	Brandon Gilyard
Wife • Spouse:	Dreka Gates (m. 2015)
Girlfriend • Partner:	N/A
Children:	Khaza Kamil Gates, Islah Koren Gates
Occupation:	Rapper • Songwriter
Net Worth:	US$2 million

Early Life

Kevin Gates was born Kevin Jerome Gilyard on the 5th of February, 1986. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, he is the son of Martha Green Gates, who happens to be his mother.

His father died when he was just 17 years old shortly after his relationship with him while in 8th grade. Brandon Gilyard is Kevin Gates‘ younger brother, whom he grew up with.

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The multi-gifted American citizen had his growing up in the United States. 

Career

Kevin Gates began his career in 2005 when he joined the local label Dead Game Records. 

Boosie Badazz and Webbie also hooked up with him. In 2007, the three collaborated on the mixtape ‘Pack of Da Littler.’ 

‘All or Nuthin,’ their second mixtape, was released in 2008. However, Kevin Gates had a run-in with the law not long after, and he was sentenced to more than two years in prison. During this time, he attended a prison education program and received a Master’s degree in psychology. He was released early due to his exemplary behavior. He began working on his songs as soon as he was released from prison. He had moderate success with his mixtape “Make Em Believe.”

He released the mixtape ‘By Any Means‘ in 2014. It was distributed by Atlantic Records and issued by his Bread Winners’ Association label. It featured the smash singles “Don’t Know,” “Posed to Be in Love,” and “Amnesia” and sold 17,000 copies in the United States.

Kevin Gates released ‘Luka Brasi 2‘ in December of the same year, which was another financially successful mixtape. It was issued by Bread Winners’ Association, his independent record company, and Atlantic Records. It debuted at number 38 on the US Billboard 200 and sold over 83,000 copies in the US within 10 months.

‘Murder for Hire 2‘ in 2016 was another hit mixtape among the several he produced over the years. It was a significant hit, debuting at number two on the Billboard 200 and selling 20,000 copies in its first week. ‘The Prayer,’ ‘Great Example,’ and ‘Click Mouse‘ were among the songs included. 

‘Islah,’ his first studio album, was released in January 2016. Thanks to popular singles, the album became a great hit, including ‘2 Phones,’ ‘Time for That,’ and ‘Really Really.’ It debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 and sold 93,000 copies in its first week in the United States. It was also ranked 16th on the Canadian Albums Chart.

Personal Life

Kevin Gates was born on February 5, 1986, in New Orleans, Louisiana, as Kevin Jerome Gilyard. His family moved to Baton Rouge shortly after his birth, where he grew up. He had a passion for music since he was a child, and he began rapping at the age of 14. 

In 2015, he married Dreka Haynes, his longtime lover. Khaza Kamil Gates and Islah Koren Gates, the couple’s son and daughter, are the couple’s only children. In 2016, the pair converted to Islam and performed hajj in Mecca. 

Throughout the years, Kevin Gates has been embroiled in a number of disputes. He received a lot of bad press after admitting to having a sexual relationship with his cousin and kicking a woman in the chest during a show in 2015. He is currently serving a 30-month prison sentence as of June 2017.

Net Worth

Kevin Gates has a net worth of US$2 million. His lucrative musical career and worldwide tours have enabled him to accumulate a sizable fortune.

His album and clothing sales have also helped him improve his financial situation. His wealth has helped him to enjoy a luxurious lifestyle.

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