Kevin Gates first began rapping in 2007, when he began making music with fellow Louisiana natives such as Webbie and Lil Boosie. Gates first received attention with his 2008 single "Get in the Way" featuring Lil Boosie. Soon after, he and Boosie would be incarcerated in separate cases. Gates would then be released in 2011 and immediately returned to recording music. He would soon earn the attention of Lil' Wayne. In early 2013, Gates released a mixtape, The Luca Brasi Story which was called "easily the best rap-related thing" in February 2013 by Spin Magazine. The Luca Brasi Story has been downloaded from popular mixtape sharing site, DatPiff, over 130,000 times.
On February 15, 2013, it was announced that Kevin Gates signed to Atlantic Records. Gates was also featured on Pusha T's 2013 mixtape as well as on Gudda Gudda's mixtape. On July 16, 2013 Gates released a street album titled Stranger Than Fiction, the street album was supported by the single "4:30".
He released his latest project By Any Means in 2014, and from there exploded in even more popularity. Mid-year made his way onto the cover of the 2014 XXL Freshman list.
Annie
Kevin Gates Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Are you okay?
Are you okay Annie.
Say Annie are you Okay A.
Are you okay Annie?
Annie are you okay?
Are you okay?
Are you okay Annie.
Are you okay Annie?
Without a pot to piss in no window to throw it out.
Came in the game blind. But this what I know about.
They teasing me in school.People calling me fat.
Think I saw the world different but aint all of it bad.
Tryna leave the street alone but they calling me back.
Only time I feel like anything and saying anything.
You left right when I needed you.I would of gave you anything.
Am I not a man if I cry on the page. On my knees saying "Why Lord"
No I'm not at all pertect but I try Lord.
Or in the same prayer shit I say I try hard.
Pain killers watching Bruce Willis die hard.
Pusha T on the beat Yelling.
Annie are you okay?
Are you okay?
Are you okay Annie.
Say Annie are you Okay A.
Are you okay Annie?
Annie are you okay?
Are you okay?
Are you okay Annie.
Say Annie are you Okay A.
Are you okay Annie?
If you could make it out my hood you could live in a different country.
Grew up in Baton Rouge in this bitch like a different country.
What I'm suppose to do when killers waring with me.
Tuck tail wear a thong be a bitch in the streets.
Window shot up.
But I'm still with the Mafia.
People say "Gates keep the steel on the side of you".
Last instagram think the meal was Talapia.
Months ago in court.
Facing 30 years.
Met a Monica with a major facing 30 M's.
Still in remorse to my thoughts.
I murdered them.
Little girl you still dead and baby know I hurted them.
Right when they needed me the most.
I deserted them.
Annie are you okay?
Are you okay?
Are you okay Annie.
Say Annie are you Okay A.
Are you okay Annie?
In Kevin Gates’s song “Annie,” the first and most prominent lyrics are “Annie are you okay? Are you okay? Are you okay Annie? Say Annie are you Okay A. Are you okay Annie?” These lyrics are borrowed from Michael Jackson’s song “Smooth Criminal,” where the chorus similarly asks, “Annie, are you okay?” Interestingly, Kevin Gates’ “Annie” does not feature any other reference to Michael Jackson, but rather delves into his own life experiences growing up in Baton Rouge.
Gates’ rap speaks to the struggles he faced growing up. He references his rough upbringing, where he had “no window to throw it out” and where he was “teased in school” for being “fat.” He also touches on the difficulty of trying to leave the street life behind while being called back, and acknowledges his flaws by asking aloud, “Am I not a man if I cry on the page?” Throughout the rap, Gates is introspective, trying to come to grips with his own flaws while also recounting the difficulties of growing up in a rough environment.
Line by Line Meaning
Annie are you okay?
Asking someone if they're okay
Are you okay?
Asking again if they're okay
Are you okay Annie.
Asking directly if Annie is okay
Say Annie are you Okay A.
Encouraging Annie to respond if she is okay
Are you okay Annie?
Asking one more time if Annie is okay
Annie are you okay?
Showing genuine concern for Annie's well-being
Are you okay?
Reiterating the question and the concern
Are you okay Annie.
Asking again if Annie is actually okay
Say Annie are you Okay A.
Encouraging Annie to speak up if something is wrong
Are you okay Annie?
Trying to find out if there is anything bothering Annie
Without a pot to piss in no window to throw it out.
Being destitute
Came in the game blind. But this what I know about.
Having limited knowledge and experience
They teasing me in school. People calling me fat.
Bullying and being ridiculed
Think I saw the world different but aint all of it bad.
Having a unique perspective on the world
Trying to leave the street alone but they calling me back.
Struggling to change one's lifestyle
Only time I feel like anything and saying anything.
Feeling empowered when creating music
You left right when I needed you. I would of gave you anything.
Feeling abandoned and hurt
Am I not a man if I cry on the page. On my knees saying "Why Lord"
Questioning one's masculinity and expressing vulnerability
No I'm not at all perfect but I try Lord.
Acknowledging personal imperfection and striving to improve
Or in the same prayer shit I say I try hard.
Emphasizing effort in improving oneself
Pain killers watching Bruce Willis die hard.
Referencing the use of drugs to cope with pain
Pusha T on the beat Yelling.
Acknowledging the song's producer and collaborator
If you could make it out my hood you could live in a different country.
Implying that living in Kevin Gates's neighborhood is very difficult
Grew up in Baton Rouge in this bitch like a different country.
Describing the difficulties of growing up in Baton Rouge
What I'm suppose to do when killers waring with me.
Feeling threatened and unsure about how to proceed
Tuck tail wear a thong be a bitch in the streets.
Choosing between being submissive and standing up for oneself
Window shot up.
Describing a violent event
But I'm still with the Mafia.
Being associated with organized crime
People say "Gates keep the steel on the side of you".
Being advised to carry a weapon for protection
Last instagram think the meal was Talapia.
Reflecting on past meals and social media activity
Months ago in court. Facing 30 years.
Describing a legal situation and potential sentence
Met a Monica with a major facing 30 M's.
Referencing meeting someone with a similar legal situation and higher potential sentence
Still in remorse to my thoughts. I murdered them.
Feeling guilty and acknowledging past wrongdoings
Little girl you still dead and baby know I hurted them.
Acknowledging harm caused to others
Right when they needed me the most. I deserted them.
Reflecting on a past failure to support loved ones
Annie are you okay?
Returning to the concern for Annie's well-being
Are you okay?
Reiterating the question
Are you okay Annie.
Checking in on Annie once again
Say Annie are you Okay A.
Asking for a response and showing care for Annie
Are you okay Annie?
Continuing to show concern for Annie
Contributed by Max E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
VarSkiiii
on Fly Again
I'm laying here crying bc i fell for fatal attraction.