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.
I Need It
Kevin Gates Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I swear that I love it
Not to be cocky but they do it all tryna win
Middle finger right up, big smile on my face
I don't get impressed by too much
I'm gon' keep it real, keep it real
I love it, I love it, I love it
I swear that I love it
150 dollars for a haircut
Remember bein' broke and I ain't had much
Fresh kicks, no whip, hard to add up
Got on my grind, I'ma pray they have them bad luck
Balenciaga, Margielas
Bread winners set a world record
I took my team to the 'chip
Bought us all some new whips, to the death you forever fly
Think what you want, we in the sky
Boarded a plane we know why
I'm not endorsing getting high
She like when I'm stressin', it give me body
New coupe, matte black, peanut butter guts
Porsche truck, BM, she the runner up
You ain't gotta say a thing when you live your dreams
Crack a smile, mess around, blind everything
I love it, I love it, I love it
I swear that I love it
Not to be cocky but they do it all tryna win
Middle finger right up, big smile on my face
I don't get impressed by too much
I'm gon' keep it real, keep it real
I love it, I love it, I love it
I swear that I love it
I could never let 'em turn my momma lights off
Do whatever to survive, need it right now
We the ones pretty girls used to turn down
Now I got a nigga sweatin' all up in her mouth
And they jumpin' through a hoop, doin' backflips
And they say they get aroused by my accent
Interstate, go and get it, comin' back with it
Booty club, cuttin' up, throwin' racks in it
Throw it back, get it
In the club turnin' up, throw it back get it, get it, get it
Throw, throw, throw, throw it back, get it
Told my sister we okay, what you worried bout?
Kevin Gates, I'm the one you prolly heard about
Get a couple years, bounce back from the pen
I'd do it all again for my kids, they the world now
They the world now
Get a couple years, bounce back from the pen
I'd do it all again for my kids, they the world now
They the world now
I say I'm turnt up in this bitch flying right now
And I don't know how to turn down
I love it, I love it, I love it
I swear that I love it
Not to be cocky but they do it all tryna win
Middle finger right up, big smile on my face
I don't get impressed by too much
I'm gon' keep it real, keep it real
I love it, I love it, I love it
I swear that I love it
Emotions on my sleeve, I can't even lie
Copin' with depression, I don't even try
Not to mention bad dealings with some women
Tend to get all in my feelin's, even contemplated suicide
Deep secret, keep it in-between you and I
Late night text message, baby you reply
You ain't sleep yet? Baby I don't get tired
Woulda thought I was a snorter and I hit a line
Woulda thought I was a snorter and I hit a line
The lyrics of "I Need It" by Kevin Gates revolve around a man who has overcome obstacles in his life and is experiencing success. He admits to being cocky because he knows that others around him are trying to win in their own ways. Gates reflects on the days when he was broke and how he never wants to return to that situation. He reflects on his success by mentioning the things he can now afford, such as a $150 haircut or expensive shoes from Balenciaga and Margielas. He shows gratitude towards his success and states that even if people jump through hoops, he won't be impressed by others as he is living his dream.
The second half of the song shows Gates opening up about some deep secrets. He mentions his struggle with depression and how he has a hard time dealing with his emotions. He also admits to having dealt with bad relationships with women and having suicidal thoughts. He talks about how he copes with depression by texting someone late at night and how he never gets tired. The final line in the song suggests that others may view him as a cocaine user because he has energy like a cocaine addict.
Overall, "I Need It" is a reflection of Gates' personal journey. He expresses gratitude for his success while also revealing his struggles with depression and past relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
I love it, I love it, I love it
I am really enjoying my current situation
I swear that I love it
I want to emphasize how much I am enjoying my current situation
Not to be cocky but they do it all tryna win
I am aware that people around me are trying to compete with me
Middle finger right up, big smile on my face
I am not threatened by others and I am confidently showing it
I don't get impressed by too much
It is hard to impress me because I am used to a certain standard of living
I'm gon' keep it real, keep it real
I will always be honest and stay true to myself
150 dollars for a haircut
I am now living a luxurious life and can afford expensive grooming
Remember bein' broke and I ain't had much
I come from humble beginnings and I am grateful for where I am now
Fresh kicks, no whip, hard to add up
I used to only be able to afford nice shoes but not a car
Got on my grind, I'ma pray they have them bad luck
I worked hard to get where I am and I hope my enemies face misfortune
Balenciaga, Margielas
I am able to buy expensive designer shoes
Bread winners set a world record
My crew has achieved something great in our careers
I took my team to the 'chip
I lead my team to victory or success in some way
Bought us all some new whips, to the death you forever fly
I bought all of us new cars and we will always stick together
Think what you want, we in the sky
You can think whatever you want, but we are up high and living our best lives
Boarded a plane we know why
We had a clear purpose and destination for our travel
I'm not endorsing getting high
I am not encouraging people to use drugs
She like when I'm stressin', it give me body
My partner likes when I am tense because it excites her
New coupe, matte black, peanut butter guts
I have recently purchased a new matte black car with a distinct interior color
Porsche truck, BM, she the runner up
I have two luxury cars and my partner prefers one over the other
You ain't gotta say a thing when you live your dreams
When you are living the life you have always wanted, there is nothing more to say
Crack a smile, mess around, blind everything
I am having so much fun and feel so joyful that I am laughing uncontrollably
I could never let 'em turn my momma lights off
I will do whatever it takes to make sure my family's basic needs are met
Do whatever to survive, need it right now
I am willing to do whatever it takes to stay afloat and get by right now
We the ones pretty girls used to turn down
Despite being overlooked in the past, we are now successful and desirable
Now I got a nigga sweatin' all up in her mouth
Another man is now trying to get with a woman who once rejected me
And they jumpin' through a hoop, doin' backflips
People are going out of their way to try and impress me
And they say they get aroused by my accent
People find my way of speaking attractive and sexy
Interstate, go and get it, comin' back with it
I am traveling across states to make money and come back successful
Booty club, cuttin' up, throwin' racks in it
I am spending a lot of money at a strip club and enjoying myself
Told my sister we okay, what you worried bout?
I reassured my sister that everything is fine and she has nothing to worry about
Kevin Gates, I'm the one you prolly heard about
I am a famous person who people are likely to know or have heard of
Get a couple years, bounce back from the pen
I spent some time in prison and was able to make a comeback after being released
I'd do it all again for my kids, they the world now
I would go through any struggle or hardship again for the sake of my children
They the world now
My kids mean everything to me
Emotions on my sleeve, I can't even lie
I wear my emotions on my sleeve and am not afraid to show them
Copin' with depression, I don't even try
I struggle with depression but do not actively try to deal with it
Not to mention bad dealings with some women
I have had negative experiences with women in the past
Tend to get all in my feelin's, even contemplated suicide
My emotions can get the best of me and I have even considered taking my own life
Deep secret, keep it in-between you and I
I have a personal secret that I only want to share with one person
Late night text message, baby you reply
I am texting someone late at night and they have responded
You ain't sleep yet? Baby I don't get tired
I am still awake and alert and can keep going
Woulda thought I was a snorter and I hit a line
I have a lot of energy and am acting as if I have taken drugs
Woulda thought I was a snorter and I hit a line
I have a lot of energy and am acting as if I have taken drugs
Lyrics © SPIKY I M IN PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Adrian Alexander Santalla, Azriel Rickley, Donny Flores, Kevin Gilyard
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
VarSkiiii
on Fly Again
I'm laying here crying bc i fell for fatal attraction.