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.
Drugs
Kevin Gates Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A little money fine but I need a lot
Take a preachers route but don′t lie to people
I ain't never seen anything in the sky
Clean in the ride, What I mean is I′m fly
With a bitch super mean, bumpin' lean to the side
I was thinkin' bout any means I could try
I believe in a high!
Scheme for things I was dreaming
In a magazine article reading about
Face card, I ain′t got to pay for drugs
It comes free with the artificial look
Could I just do me, Let me be me
I ain′t arguin' for much
I′m with this bitch and I feel free
She don't demand from me for much
My sex drive been at an all time low
Can barley get it up!
Tryin′ to keep another mother fucker happy
I swear I'm givin′ up!
Drug usage has increased since the last time
Go all out and be back just like the last time
Racks on me, Stacks on me, Travel hard
One nation under God!
In the car alone, Prayin' to the stars
Engine roaring, Make it drive for noise
Praise be to Allah, Come this far or not!
Cocaine, Foreign car, Look who takin' off!
Throwin′ money at my nigga
Younger sister really wishin′ he wouldn't do this
But look who takin′ off!
Pain for you to keep, Love and then leave
So I guess I'm taking off!
I wanna love you like I do, So never hesitate to call
Know I always count on you to always have me there at all
Good hearted if you think wrong
How could you be right?
Four niggas fuckin′ the same bitch
She pop up pregnant this can't be like
Get rid of the bitch, Fore I get rid of you bitch
Sick of you bitch!
No hands on, Rubberbands on, I ain′t talkin' like a stripper
Pay! They do it, Send razors thru, Spray the kay and make you flip
Only reason I ain't killed your mother
Strength of her daughter
And she cheats everyday on your daddy
Tryin′ to give orders
Then they try to extort a gangsta, I′m someone important
Don't step in my office, I ain′t about no talkin'
Be sippin′ my coffee while bullets is sparkin'
Without any caution, Now watch who I′m crossin'
Boobie is awesome, Can't jump if I lost ya
With this I went off
My grandpal a gangsta, He died I went off
Don′t interupt while I am recordin′
Shit so depressing, Wish I could pause it
Misunderstand it, Put that in a coffin'
Back to the margarine, Up and get off it
Label an orphan, Lane of my own
I got the hawkin, I am retarted,
Know there′s a name, Don't know what to call it
No ones watchin′ but the angels
My hearts been takin' by this angel
I, To many insecurities that won′t allow me to trust
While I'm protecting some love with their angels
My hearts been taking by an angel
No ones watchin' but this angel
I, To many insecurities that won′t allow me to trust
While I′m protecting some love with their ange
In "Drugs," Kevin Gates was contemplating where he goes from his current situation. He's aware that he needs money, and although he's considering taking the path of a preacher, he won't lie to people. In his musings, he reflects on his life's dreams and aspirations, acknowledging that being logical gave him reason to doubt his schemes. He believes that the artificial look comes free with drugs and that he's in his element when he's with his girl. He's also aware of his fluctuating sex drive and how he's trying to keep his partner happy despite it all.
Moreover, the song talks about his past experiences, including drug usage, and how he's trying to overcome it. Gates is aware that he has come a long way; he thinks back to when he was praying to the stars in his car and how he's now throwing money at his friends because of his newfound success. However, despite all these changes, he's still insecure and unsure of whom to trust. He watches over those he loves like an angel, but deep down, he knows that his insecurities won't allow him to rely on others fully.
In conclusion, "Drugs" is a soulful song that shows Kevin Gates' vulnerability, flaws, and strengths. He bears his soul to his fans and shows them that he is not perfect, but he is human.
Line by Line Meaning
Where we go from here, If I leave the block
If I move away from my drug dealing lifestyle, where will I go and what will I do?
A little money fine but I need a lot
I need to make a lot of money, not just a little bit to survive.
Take a preachers route but don′t lie to people
I could become a preacher but I wouldn't want to lie to my congregation.
I ain't never seen anything in the sky
I don't believe in God or any higher power since I have never seen any proof.
Clean in the ride, What I mean is I′m fly
I am looking good and feeling confident in my car.
With a bitch super mean, bumpin' lean to the side
I am with a tough girl who is listening to lean rap music.
I was thinkin' bout any means I could try
I was considering any way to earn money, even if it was illegal.
I believe in a high!
I believe that drugs are the way to experience a high and feel good.
Being logical gave me a reason to doubt
Using logic made me start to question my drug use and lifestyle.
Scheme for things I was dreaming
I had big dreams and had to use schemes to achieve them.
In a magazine article reading about
I read about things in a magazine that potentially gave me a new way of thinking.
Face card, I ain′t got to pay for drugs
I am well known and respected, so people give me drugs for free.
It comes free with the artificial look
I am able to get drugs for free because of my fake persona and looks.
Could I just do me, Let me be me
I don't want to be judged or told what to do, I just want to be myself.
I′m with this bitch and I feel free
I feel free with this tough girl by my side, without any restrictions or responsibilities.
She don't demand from me for much
This girl is not high maintenance and does not demand much from me.
My sex drive been at an all time low
I have been struggling with low libido, possibly due to drug use.
Can barley get it up!
I am having trouble achieving an erection during sex.
Tryin′ to keep another mother fucker happy
I am struggling to make someone else happy in this relationship.
I swear I'm givin′ up!
I am giving up on trying to please the other person in this relationship.
Drug usage has increased since the last time
I have been using more drugs lately than I have in the past.
Go all out and be back just like the last time
I am willing to take risks with drugs, even though it could end up badly just like it did previously.
Racks on me, Stacks on me, Travel hard
I am carrying a lot of cash and traveling constantly.
One nation under God!
This phrase refers to the united States of America, but I don't truly believe it since I don't believe in God.
In the car alone, Prayin' to the stars
I am in my car by myself and praying to the stars or wishing for guidance.
Engine roaring, Make it drive for noise
I am revving my engine and driving fast just for the thrill and noise.
Praise be to Allah, Come this far or not!
I am grateful for where I am in life and give thanks to Allah, whether I achieve more or not.
Cocaine, Foreign car, Look who takin' off!
I am achieving success through drug use and driving a foreign car, and others are noticing.
Throwin′ money at my nigga
I am giving away large amounts of money to my friend.
Younger sister really wishin′ he wouldn't do this
My younger sister wishes that my friend wouldn't take my money and enable my drug use.
But look who takin′ off!
Even though some people disapprove of my drug habits, I am still achieving success.
Pain for you to keep, Love and then leave
It will be painful for you to hold on to this love and then eventually for me to leave.
So I guess I'm taking off!
I am going to leave this relationship and move on with my life.
I wanna love you like I do, So never hesitate to call
I want to love you but it's important that you call me whenever you need me.
Know I always count on you to always have me there at all
I can always depend on you to be there for me no matter what.
Good hearted if you think wrong
Despite my actions, I have a good heart and intentions.
How could you be right?
It's difficult to be right when you are living a lifestyle filled with wrong decisions.
Four niggas fuckin′ the same bitch
Four guys are sleeping with the same girl.
She pop up pregnant this can't be like
The girl has become pregnant and this is a problem for all four guys.
Get rid of the bitch, Fore I get rid of you bitch
We need to get rid of the girl before she causes more problems, or else I will get rid of anyone who doesn't cooperate.
Sick of you bitch!
I am fed up with this girl and the problems she brings into my life.
No hands on, Rubberbands on, I ain′t talkin' like a stripper
I have a lot of cash on me but I don't want to be mistaken for a stripper.
Pay! They do it, Send razors thru, Spray the kay and make you flip
If someone owes me money and doesn't pay, I will use violence and force to get the payment.
Only reason I ain't killed your mother
I haven't killed someone's mother yet, but I am capable of it.
Strength of her daughter
I won't kill someone's mother because of the strength of her daughter.
And she cheats everyday on your daddy
The mother has been cheating on the father every day.
Tryin′ to give orders
The mother is trying to give orders and control the actions of the father.
Then they try to extort a gangsta, I′m someone important
People try to extort me since I am a gangster with power and reputation.
Don't step in my office, I ain′t about no talkin'
Don't come into my office looking for a talk or negotiation, I am not interested.
Be sippin′ my coffee while bullets is sparkin'
I am calmly drinking my coffee even while bullets are being fired around me.
Without any caution, Now watch who I′m crossin'
I am not afraid to take risks and cross people, but they should be careful about crossing me.
Boobie is awesome, Can't jump if I lost ya
I am confident and awesome, and you would be making a mistake if you lost me.
With this I went off
This event or situation caused me to lose control and act out violently.
My grandpal a gangsta, He died I went off
My grandfather was a gangster, and when he died I was so angry that I lost control.
Don′t interupt while I am recordin′
Don't interrupt me when I am recording music.
Shit so depressing, Wish I could pause it
Life is so depressing right now, I wish I could just stop and take a break.
Misunderstand it, Put that in a coffin'
If you misunderstand me or cross me, there will be consequences.
Back to the margarine, Up and get off it
It's time to stop using drugs and return to a sober lifestyle.
Label an orphan, Lane of my own
I feel like an orphan and don't fit in, but I have created my own unique path in life.
I got the hawkin, I am retarted,
I have access to weapons and sometimes act foolishly or recklessly.
Know there′s a name, Don't know what to call it
I know that there is a meaning and purpose to my life, but I am not sure what it is yet.
No ones watchin′ but the angels
I may feel alone, but I believe that the angels are watching and guiding me.
My hearts been takin' by this angel
I am in love with someone who is pure and good, like an angel.
I, To many insecurities that won′t allow me to trust
I have personal insecurities that make it difficult for me to trust others.
While I'm protecting some love with their angels
While I am protecting and cherishing the love between myself and another person, I feel like we are being watched over by angels.
My hearts been taking by an angel
I am in love with someone pure and good, like an angel.
No ones watchin' but this angel
We may feel alone, but we have each other and it feels like we are being watched over by an angel.
I, To many insecurities that won′t allow me to trust
I have my own personal insecurities that make it difficult for me to trust in this love.
Contributed by Mackenzie O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
BigDozer84
I wish more people would speak with their heart like this man does...
Shay Lafon
So authentic
Patricia Karsner-Nation
I am not anyone but i speak with my heart and I'm honest to a fault. I've been persecuted for it...my family has turned their backs on me and the friends I've lost is countless. I'm almost to the point of giving up...i love my granddaughter tho
Nuriel Israel
@Patricia Karsner-Nation The Most High hates a lying tongue bro so keep on telling the truth. And always use discernment in everything you do in life.
Julius Ferguson
Brother we need to meet and talk a day in life.. 100% rate you!!
BigDozer84
@Patricia Karsner-Nation I hope your doing alright...I've been there, I've felt like giving up before too. Anytime that I prayed, I felt like I had purpose. That purpose was to make sure I could help as many people not feel the way I have before. The world is full of love, but it's in disguise because it needs to know it exists
Matriarch LLC
“With great wisdom come great grief “ - Kevin Gates 🙌
Robert Bolden
Ecclesiastes 1:18
MultivariatePerspective
yes, he is speaking truth.
Matriarch LLC
Absolutely