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.
Mr. Brasi
Kevin Gates Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't know when I have to come in Gus, you gonna have to signal me
Throw them fours up there
They gonna love that, the children of my section gonna love that
Broke bread in the trenches, ligaments incoherent
Luca Brasi Story, skid is itching to hear it
Got white on me, catching crack sales all night, homie
Got a smoker system with a pipe on it
Got a digital scale, critical well
Niggas watching for the Bread team
Morning steak with the baked beans
9-milli holding 18
Ed Sheeran, A Team, customers awaiting
Fuck around with this shit
No prison sentence, escaping
Everyday, I'm praying, best friends don't betray me
Young guy, really pussy, a gangster he's portraying
Mad cause he ain't me, your girl fucking with?
Left jail, back to the kitchen, like Martha Stewart, no cookbook
My daddy made me look good, but that's not no good look
White jet screeching off, in a vault, my speakers bought
In? city on fourth street, strapped by the crotch,?
Of course we know?, but her life is boring
Poruing promethazine in a one liter of Mountain Dew
Fountain of youth, I've just discovered
Uncovering who I really was
In the game, I am agressive
I'm even handed, me the ambidextrous
Can of?, while your?? sure take you round here
I'm a street nigga, got beef with ya
Touch everything in your family
My baby momma big booty bitch, her grandmother can't stand it
My pants on but they sagging, fuck who can't understand it?, my BG understand it
Somewhere on the corner, possibly on the summer
Caught a whiff of aromas, absorbing most of the odor
Bitch I'm cold I'm a soldier
Remote control for the moment
They tuning in to Gates gas station, Boost Mobile phoning? platinum patroners, making them have commotions
Luca taking office, Kevin Gates while in office
Used to have a brain, unfortunately I lost it
I know it's got a name, but don't know what I could call it
Retarded
On TV screens, thugging hard won't need no green
Smoking? gonna bring me cheese
Bad bitch, and she on her knees
Talking 'bout she won't do this thing
All I know is?
I blow the brains out
The lyrics to Kevin Gates's song Mr. Brasi touch upon a few different themes, including the power dynamics of the music industry, the allure of a criminal lifestyle, and the struggle for survival in disadvantaged urban neighborhoods. The lines about Johnny and the bandleader illustrate how some artists can become trapped by personal service contracts, even if their careers are taking off, and how powerful figures in the industry can resist attempts to break those contracts. The reference to Luca Brasi, a character from The Godfather, adds a layer of danger and intrigue to the story, implying that violence might be needed to resolve the situation.
The rest of the song focuses on Gates's personal experiences and reflections, painting a vivid picture of his surroundings and his mindset. Gates talks about his time spent "broke bread in the trenches," likely referring to his earlier life in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He mentions his involvement in drug sales and the possession of firearms, painting himself as a street warrior. References to other artists such as Ed Sheeran add some pop culture context, though Gates remains grounded in his own grittier reality, playing off the tension between criminality and ambition. Gates's lyrics can be tough to decipher, but his delivery is unflinching and his rhymes pulse with urgency.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know when I have to come in Gus, you gonna have to signal me
I need instructions on when to enter, Gus. You'll have to alert me.
Broke bread in the trenches, ligaments incoherent
Shared food in difficult times, to the point of physical exhaustion.
Luca Brasi Story, skid is itching to hear it
The Luca Brasi tale is in high demand and eagerly anticipated.
Bread Winner go fly, no kites on me
I'm going somewhere, representing the Bread Winner brand. I don't need to promote myself with kites.
Got white on me, catching crack sales all night, homie
I'm covered in drugs, selling crack all night.
Got a smoker system with a pipe on it
I have a smoking device with a pipe attached.
Got a digital scale, critical well
I own a precise digital scale for measuring drugs.
Niggas watching for the Bread team
People are looking out for members of the Bread Winner group.
Morning steak with the baked beans
I have steak and baked beans for breakfast.
9-milli holding 18
I have a 9mm gun with 18 bullets.
Ed Sheeran, A Team, customers awaiting
My customers are waiting, expecting drugs like Ed Sheeran's 'A Team.'
Fuck around with this shit. No prison sentence, escaping
If I get in trouble, I won't go to jail, I'll escape.
Everyday, I'm praying, best friends don't betray me
I pray daily that my closest friends won't turn on me and betray me.
Young guy, really pussy, a gangster he's portraying
There's a young man trying to act tough, but he's really a coward pretending to be a gangster.
Mad cause he ain't me, your girl fucking with?
Someone is jealous of me because their girl is involved with me sexually.
Left jail, back to the kitchen, like Martha Stewart, no cookbook
I got out of jail and went back to my drug business, like Martha Stewart but without a recipe book.
My daddy made me look good, but that's not no good look
My dad gave me advantages, but it's not a good idea to rely on those if you want respect.
White jet screeching off, in a vault, my speakers bought
My fancy white plane is taking off dramatically, while my sound system is stored safely in a vault.
In? city on fourth street, strapped by the crotch,?
I'm in a city on Fourth Street, carrying a weapon in my pants by my groin.
Of course we know?, but her life is boring
We all know what she's really like, but her life is mundane.
Poruing promethazine in a one liter of Mountain Dew
Mixing a powerful cough syrup with one liter of Mountain Dew.
Fountain of youth, I've just discovered
I've found a way to stay young forever.
Uncovering who I really was
I'm discovering my true identity.
In the game, I am agressive
I am assertive and competitive in my dealings.
I'm even handed, me the ambidextrous
I'm fair and balanced, able to use either hand.
Can of?, while your?? sure take you round here
I have a can of something, that if you're not careful, will get you into trouble around these parts.
I'm a street nigga, got beef with ya
I'm a person from the streets, and I have a problem with you.
Touch everything in your family
I will harm everyone in your family.
My baby momma big booty bitch, her grandmother can't stand it
My ex-girlfriend, who has a large buttocks, is not appreciated by her grandmother.
My pants on but they sagging, fuck who can't understand it?, my BG understand it
My pants are low, but I don't care what others think. My close associates understand my style.
Somewhere on the corner, possibly on the summer
I'm hanging out, maybe on a street corner, during the summer.
Caught a whiff of aromas, absorbing most of the odor
I breathed in the smells, taking in most of the scent.
Bitch I'm cold I'm a soldier
I'm tough, I'm a soldier.
Remote control for the moment
I have control of the situation for now.
They tuning in to Gates gas station, Boost Mobile phoning? platinum patroners, making them have commotions
People are listening to my music on the radio and using a phone service. Fans are excited and making a scene.
Luca taking office, Kevin Gates while in office
Luca Brasi is in charge, while Kevin Gates is serving as his assistant.
Used to have a brain, unfortunately I lost it
I used to be intelligent, but I lost that ability.
I know it's got a name, but don't know what I could call it
I know this feeling has a name, but I don't know what it's called.
Retarded
Disabled, in a medical or derogatory sense.
On TV screens, thugging hard won't need no green
On TV, I appear to be a tough guy and don't have to smoke marijuana to achieve that image.
Smoking? gonna bring me cheese
My drug dealing business is going to make me wealthy.
Bad bitch, and she on her knees. Talking 'bout she won't do this thing. All I know is?
A woman is acting submissive, even though she claims not to be interested. All I know is that she will follow through with what I request.
I blow the brains out
I will shoot and kill someone.
Writer(s): Kevin Gates
Contributed by Liam T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ryan Henstock
Man this had to be one of the best opening mixtape songs ever! I remember when this dropped I was on my way home from college slammin this through town!
iam Joey Folse Jr
2021 this shit still slapping 8 years ago I was 16 bumping this 🔥 need this Gates back
Nu Mny
Legend on his own turf! Legends don’t die🏁🏁🏁🏁🏃🏾♂️🏃🏾♂️🏃🏾♂️🏃🏾♂️
GYoung33
The production on this joint is absolutely flawless. My man need to keep the producer of this in his pocket and on speed dial! Lmfao! For real.
SHOP WITH KEN
Produced by me #shopwithken I appreciate the luv🙏🏾🤲🏾
Robert Johnson
everyday I come I go to work I listen to Kevin gates and my day fly's by like I'm not even working. (###MOTIVATION###)
Darien Wesby
The introduction of the song is literally the best part. To a certain degree, the story in the beginning sort of remind me of my situation in the Bay area. If I am not mistaken, it was definitely five years ago to where I had to sadly contact the clan. I, by the way, haven't seen such members for quite some time now.
Shidade Larkins
One of my favorite songs by Gates!
Music City Skate Company
this is when Kevin gates turned into Luca brasi and the game was forever changed.
Stoney 618
he referenced himself to luca brasi before this album js.