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.
Homicide
Kevin Gates Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I never said I was
But, I fear none and I respect all
And if you disrespect it, I'm a die bout it
(Shoot em' up) in the ghetto where we all grind
Sun up to sun down
Hustle all night (shoot em' up)
Take one of mine then I'm a make sure that we all cry (one eighty seven)
Homicide, homicide (shoot em' up)
Pray that it don't be a homicide
Homicide, homicide (shoot em' up)
Pray that it don't be a homicide
Malcom X a religion but this ain't television
Go watch the movie then come back and try to tell me different
I swear to God I miss my nigga chest full of hate (I do)
Bullet in the chamber, pull up and go bang
Doin' it for his kids the ones that Shud don't look after
Watching the news in a foster home, they father was massacred
In the hospital laid up inside my dick a decathetar
Heal up and go kill up everything in his family
Should've flipped me got to teach the bitch that tried to get at me
Left my nigga children on this earth to be bastards
Bitch I'm up in the mornin', caught a slip, grip up on 'em
At the red light through the windshield knocked out all his components
(Shoot em' up) in the ghetto where we all grind
Sun up to sun down
Hustle all night (shoot em' up)
Pressure on em, that's at all times
Take one of mine then I'm a make sure that we all cry (one eighty seven)
Homicide, homicide (shoot em' up)
Pray that it don't be a homicide
Homicide, homicide (shoot em' up)
Pray that it don't be a homicide
Had to draw down, lay the law down for a month straight
Ain't no sleepin', nigga beefin', this a month straight
Band-aids on my fingertips, with gloves on I clutch chrome
Duct tape the bottom of my shoes, with the snub on
Up it, spray it to the pavement you a blood donor
Infrared, white shirt, red all the blood on it
Throw a bag of drugs on you, for the crime scene
Drug-related homicide, closed case, crime scene
Extender stick out, blicka block and didn't dick off
Thought that was your bitch she set you up, caught with your dick out
Trail you to the club and catch you thievin' out that bitch
My decoy fight cause a distraction leave you leakin' out that bitch
(Shoot em' up) in the ghetto where we all grind
Sun up to sun down
Hustle all night (shoot em' up)
Pressure on em, that's at all times
Take one of mine then I'm a make sure that we all cry (one eighty seven)
Homicide, homicide (shoot em' up)
Pray that it don't be a homicide
Homicide, homicide (shoot em' up)
Pray that it don't be a homicide
In the song "Homicide" by Kevin Gates, he speaks about his experiences in the ghetto and the violence that surrounds him. He starts off by acknowledging that he is not the strongest man in the world, but he is fearless and respects everyone. He then emphasizes the fact that disrespect will not be tolerated and he is willing to die for it. The chorus repeats the word "homicide" several times, indicating the theme of the song is about murder.
Gates goes on to speak about the daily grind in the ghetto, hustling from sun up to sun down, and the pressure that comes with it. He mentions how he will make sure that his people's deaths do not go unnoticed, and he will avenge them. He also references Malcom X, stating that his teachings are not just for TV, but rather a religion that can be learned from. Gates reminisces about a friend he lost due to senseless violence and hatred. He then goes on to talk about seeking revenge for his lost friend and making sure his children do not suffer any more than they already have.
The second verse shows how intense this life can be, as Gates has to be on high alert constantly, sleeping very little due to beef and drama. He describes his weapon and how he prepares for the fight. He speaks of duct taping his shoes, and having gloves on while he holds his gun. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of how dangerous life can be in the ghetto, with drug-related homicides that are closed cases due to throwaway weapons and victims that are suspects.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm not the strongest man in the world
Though I'm not exceptionally strong, I'm confident and fearless
I never said I was
I'm humble and don't pretend to be someone I'm not
But, I fear none and I respect all
I don't back down from anyone, but I treat others with respect
And if you disrespect it, I'm a die bout it
If you disrespect me or those I care about, I'll fight you to the death
Shoot em' up) in the ghetto where we all grind
We use guns to defend ourselves in the tough neighborhood where we work hard
Sun up to sun down
We hustle day and night
Hustle all night (shoot em' up)
We work hard and use violence to protect our livelihoods
Pressure on 'em, that's at all times
There's always pressure and danger in our line of work
Take one of mine then I'm a make sure that we all cry (one eighty seven)
If you harm one of my people, I'll make you pay with bloodshed and tears
Homicide, homicide (shoot em' up)
I'm not afraid to kill to protect my people and my money
Pray that it don't be a homicide
I hope I don't have to kill, but I will if necessary
Malcom X a religion but this ain't television
Malcolm X's teachings are a way of life, not just something you watch on TV
Go watch the movie then come back and try to tell me different
Watch the film about Malcolm X and you'll see the truth
I swear to God I miss my nigga chest full of hate (I do)
I really miss my friend, who was full of anger and aggression
Bullet in the chamber, pull up and go bang
I'm always ready to use my gun if necessary
Doin' it for his kids the ones that Shud don't look after
I'm seeking revenge for my friend's children, who are neglected by their mother
Watching the news in a foster home, they father was massacred
The children are traumatized by the news of their father's violent death
In the hospital laid up inside my dick a decathetar
I'm in the hospital with a catheter, recovering from an injury
Heal up and go kill up everything in his family
Once I'm healed, I plan to seek vengeance on everyone who harmed my friend's family
Should've flipped me got to teach the bitch that tried to get at me
Someone made the mistake of trying to hurt me, and they'll regret it
Left my nigga children on this earth to be bastards
My friend's children have been abandoned and left to suffer
Bitch I'm up in the mornin', caught a slip, grip up on 'em
I'm always alert and ready to defend myself
At the red light through the windshield knocked out all his components
I shot and killed someone at a red light, destroying their body
Had to draw down, lay the law down for a month straight
I had to use my gun to enforce my rules for a whole month
Ain't no sleepin', nigga beefin', this a month straight
I had to stay alert and keep fighting for a whole month
Band-aids on my fingertips, with gloves on I clutch chrome
I've been using my gun so much that my fingers are sore and I wear gloves to handle it
Duct tape the bottom of my shoes, with the snub on
I use duct tape to make sure my gun stays hidden on the bottom of my shoe
Up it, spray it to the pavement you a blood donor
I'll shoot you and you'll bleed on the pavement
Throw a bag of drugs on you, for the crime scene
I'll plant drugs on your body to make it look like a drug-related killing
Drug-related homicide, closed case, crime scene
The authorities will assume it was a drug-related murder and the case will be closed
Extender stick out, blicka block and didn't dick off
I used a gun with an extender and shot without hesitation
Thought that was your bitch she set you up, caught with your dick out
Your girlfriend betrayed you and now you're dead or exposed
Trail you to the club and catch you thievin' out that bitch
I followed you to the club and caught you stealing from someone
My decoy fight cause a distraction leave you leakin' out that bitch
I used a decoy to distract you and then attacked you, leaving you bleeding on the ground
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRISTOPHER CHRISHAN DOTSON, KEVIN GILYARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jake Woodall
I've been going through some shit and this song is exactly how I feel
Nathan Gilbert
I hope you came up and are doing well?
MSinRush
Such an underrated song, one of the best ever
Matthew Hill
I used to only like a few non-radio songs a few years ago. But now that im changing my life to get out there and get what i want out of it. Kevin Gates is a legend. He talks real thoughts and situations, not just about drugs and bad bitches. Hes underrated for sure. But not everyone can have good taste in music.
Elyan
THAT BEATTTTT🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
killa white
This one of my favorites can't wait for the new shit to drop
kyle parker
2022 back at it!! Pressure on at all times!!💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻
Madison Nichols
"I fear none, and I respect all" 💯👌
😘 #Gates
Miles Foster
I swear this dude goes hard as fuck... real shit he spittin
brandon daniels
2023 and this song still slaps!