Kevin Gilyard (born February 5, 1986), better known by his stage name Kevin… Read Full Bio ↴Kevin Gilyard (born February 5, 1986), better known by his stage name Kevin Gates, is an American rapper and singer from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In 2013, it was announced that Gates signed to Young Money Entertainment.
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.

In Da Trap
Kevin Gates Lyrics

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Put a clique house on major
Me and Hot Boy that's major
Iphone 5 that's a pager
Wanna get in touch you gotta page me
Iphone 6 upgraded
Blackberry love, no thank you
Don't know what producer you buyin' from
I'm shoppin' with mills, baby

In the dope game, goin' crazy
Not a base head, she a Gates head
Put a eight, yeah, in a latex
Still break bread with the ladies
New York State Of Mind like Nas, no wait
That was what Jay said
Young bull with the glass dick
Got the brillo pad for the filter
Who your girl follow on Insta?
Heard I eat booty, mouth filthy
Poppin' up in every other comment
Inquirin' if I can DM her
Big booty lookin' like Emma
I meant to say like a mammal
Two lumps and a dump truck
Wasn't talkin' bout no camels
Grab the wilder by her antlers
Tap, tap, tap, 'til she tappin'
What I meant to say was make her tap out
Thuggin' hard in the trap house
East Atlanta got it maxed out
Bankhead whippin' racks out
Pullin' up in Mechanicsville
Leave the car runnin' no strap out, what up?

Thuggin' hard in the trap house (what up?)
Thuggin' hard in the trap house (what up?)
East Atlanta got it maxed out
Bankhead with the racks out
Thuggin' hard in the trap house

What up, what up, what up, what up?
Thuggin' hard in the trap house

Overall Meaning

In the lyrics of "Thuggin in 4" by Kevin Gates, the rapper talks about his lifestyle and experiences in the trap house. He starts by boasting about his success by putting a clique house on major, emphasizing his close relationship with Hot Boy. He dismisses outdated technology like the iPhone 5 as a pager, signaling that he's upgraded to an iPhone 6 and has no interest in old devices like Blackberry. This showcases his preference for luxury and keeping up with the latest trends in his communication tools. He mentions shopping with mills, indicating his high spending power and taste for expensive items.

Gates delves into his experiences in the dope game, highlighting that he is not dealing with base heads but with devoted fans, referred to as Gates heads. He talks about his lifestyle of luxury and pleasure, putting an emphasis on enjoying intimate moments with women and still maintaining a sense of generosity by sharing his wealth with them. The references to New York State of Mind by Nas and Jay-Z portray his love for classic hip-hop, showing respect for the pioneers of the genre.

The lyrics take a playful turn as Gates addresses rumors about his personal life and interactions on social media. He humorously addresses the controversy surrounding his alleged interest in a certain sexual practice, responding to comments on his Instagram posts. He also makes a comparison between a woman's physique and that of a mammal, showcasing his witty and slightly explicit wordplay. The mention of grabbing a woman by her antlers and making her tap out adds a provocative and edgy tone to the song.

In the chorus, Gates repeats the phrase "Thuggin' hard in the trap house" as a mantra, emphasizing his dedication to the street life and his success in the trap scene. The references to East Atlanta, Bankhead, and Mechanicsville indicate the specific locations where Gates feels most comfortable and where he conducts his business. The overall tone of the song reflects Gates' confidence, bravado, and unapologetic approach to his lifestyle, portraying a gritty and raw image of street life in Atlanta.

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Kevin Gilyard, Jamil Alleyne

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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