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.
Get Up On My Level
Kevin Gates Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Get up on my level
Get up on my level
Get up on my level
Get up on my level
Get up on my level
Get up on my level
Get up on my level
Tongue kissing, I'm fight in public
Can't see you niggas
No feelings, ain't no bitch I'm trusting
Can't see you niggas
Faces that she make, disgusting
Can't see you niggas
Throwing dick inside her stomach
Can't see you niggas
Call her 'cause I've been hurt before
Can't see you niggas
Love don't live here anymore
Can't see you niggas
Racks spent on designer frames
Can't see you niggas
Rocking shades to hide the pain
I can't see you niggas
Money ain't shit
Got it all day, get it all day
Hoes y'all chase, wanna fuck me
The things you niggas brag about, ain't shit to me
I feel it's only right to say
You niggas need to get up on my level
Get up on my level
Get up on my level
Get up on my level
Get up on my level
Get up on my level
Get up on my level
You niggas need to get up on my level
Get up on my level
Get up on my level
Get up on my level
Get up on my level
Get up on my level
Get up on my level
Get up on my level
Ain't squealed when the polices took me
Can't see you niggas
'Fraid to death in Central Booking
Can't see you niggas
Lick was for my team, I took it
Can't see you niggas
Not thinking they would play me pussy
I can't see you niggas
Talked about when I'm not looking
Like Stevie Wonder
Play with keys while making music
Like Stevie Wonder
Smiling bright throughout my struggle
Like Stevie Wonder
Rich as shit, but can't see nothing
Just like Stevie Wonder
Money ain't shit
Got it all day, get it all day
Hoes y'all chase, wanna fuck me
The things you niggas brag about, ain't shit to me
I feel it's only right to say
You niggas need to get up on my level
Get up on my level
Get up on my level
Get up on my level
Get up on my level
Get up on my level
Get up on my level
You niggas need to get up on my level
Get up on my level
Get up on my level
Get up on my level
Get up on my level
Get up on my level
Get up on my level
Get up on my level
Going hard for 'em in the paint
Never had a real family
That nigga I call daddy
I never had a real daddy
They was already making music, I just added rap talent
Came out of prison, pursuing my dream
Now everybody mad at me
I ain't never tried to diss y'all
All I ever did was tell the truth
Pray every one of y'all artists make it
Don't or do, I still salute
Got real niggas from New Orleans
All they do is clip corners
Made men don't make statements
You bigger than that, that's phony
Want every nigga that rap, from Louisiana to make it
Medication then meditation, it elevating the greatness
I'm not bothered by your dissin'
You was in your feelings
Gave you niggas my all and you mistreat your nigga
Now I can't see you niggas
Get up on my level
Get up on my level
Love don't live here anymore
I can't see you niggas
Get up on my level
Get up on my level
Love don't live here anymore
Now I can't see you niggas
Can't see you niggas
I can't see you niggas
Karma comes right back around
And you'll get what you did to me
Oh I can't see you niggas
And love don't live here anymore
I can't see you niggas
Karma comes right back around
And you'll get what you did to me
You'll get what you did to me
Karma comes right back around
And you'll get what you did to me
Kevin Gates's song Get Up On My Level describes the rapper's status and mindset, contrasting it with the perception and behavior of those around him. The repeated phrase "get up on my level" is an indication of his superiority and his belief that others should strive to reach it. He talks about his sexual exploits and relationships, implying that he does not trust easily and has been hurt before. He brags about his wealth and suggests that others' pursuits, such as chasing women, are insignificant to him. The verses also touch on his experiences with law enforcement and his musical career, where he faced opposition and criticism from others. The constant references to Stevie Wonder, who is blind, might symbolize how the rapper is selectively blind to certain aspects of others' lives and attitudes that do not align with his own. The chorus serves as a warning to anyone who is not on his level, implying that they should either catch up or get left behind.
Line by Line Meaning
Get up on my level
Asserting dominance over others and challenging them to match his level of success and power
Tongue kissing, I'm fight in public
Being unafraid to display affection in public and also unafraid to fight anyone who wants to challenge
Can't see you niggas
Being above and beyond the company of others who are not on his level
No feelings, ain't no bitch I'm trusting
Being emotionally detached and not trusting anyone, especially women
Faces that she make, disgusting
Finding the facial expressions of a sexual partner unattractive
Throwing dick inside her stomach
Engaging in sexual activity with great vigor and enthusiasm
Call her 'cause I've been hurt before
Reaching out to a former lover because he has been hurt before and wants her back
Love don't live here anymore
Being jaded and disillusioned about love and relationships
Racks spent on designer frames
Spending a lot of money on expensive eyewear
Rocking shades to hide the pain
Using accessories to mask emotional pain and suffering
Money ain't shit
Being so successful that money no longer holds great importance or value
Hoes y'all chase, wanna fuck me
Having many women who desire him for his wealth and status
The things you niggas brag about, ain't shit to me
Being unimpressed by the things that others boast about
Ain't squealed when the polices took me
Not giving in to pressure or snitching even when faced with legal trouble
'Fraid to death in Central Booking
Being terrified when detained in police custody
Lick was for my team, I took it
Taking the blame for illegal activity in order to protect his associates
Play with keys while making music, like Stevie Wonder
Producing music while also engaging in illegal activity, much like Stevie Wonder played the piano despite being blind
Rich as shit, but can't see nothing, just like Stevie Wonder
Having great wealth and success, but still feeling empty and lacking in some ways
Going hard for 'em in the paint
Being fiercely dedicated to his craft and working tirelessly to achieve success
Never had a real family
Growing up without a stable and supportive family structure
I never had a real daddy
Being raised without a father figure in his life
Now everybody mad at me
Being resented by others due to his success and power
All I ever did was tell the truth
Being honest and transparent in his actions and behaviors
Medication then meditation, it elevating the greatness
Using a combination of medication and meditation to improve his own abilities and reach greater heights of success
Karma comes right back around, and you'll get what you did to me
Believing in the concept of karma and that those who wronged him will eventually face consequences
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Kevin Gilyard
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
VarSkiiii
on Fly Again
I'm laying here crying bc i fell for fatal attraction.