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.
Paper Chasers
Kevin Gates Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'ma let you hear the one, you know the 6's and all that old shit
That we don't fuck around shit
I like this shit, man
Coke and rock and choppin' off 'em, private goin' on shopping sprees
Glock in my back pocket, already cocked, okay, I'm clockin' cheese
Trap jump off the hinges, in the trenches, all in alleyways
Live a hustler, probably die a gangster and etcetera
Sometime I can't take no break, they keep callin' my cellular
This the game, and we know this life we gon' be alright
Ain't no sleep tonight, bitch, we out here chasin' paper
Hate to fall in with a TEC-9, no bandana, no gloves on
Long kiss goodnight, my nigga, but we ain't makin' no love song
This bullshit you sold me got Inisotol, no soda on it
I straight dropped it, lost 20 grams, like what the fuck is you smokin', homie?
Red Camaro, white rally stripes, gon' probably be on TV
Move wrong while the tool on, I'll put your ass on Street Beat
Repeat, you see me, I'm a repeat offender
Park the whip, lay under houses, hear you move 'round with the stethoscope
Arrested for a little vestiges, teach these pussy niggas 'bout stretchin' coke
Bend the bend with the machine gun like, "Say hello to my little friend"
Chick I met at Texaco, down here for school, not visitin'
Say it's about to get interestin', bitch say she from Michigan
Coke and rock and choppin' off 'em, private goin' on shopping sprees
Glock in my back pocket, already cocked, okay, I'm clockin' cheese
Trap jump off the hinges, in the trenches, all in alleyways
Had to say, each and every day we grabbin' paper
Live a hustler, probably die a gangster and etcetera
Sometime I can't take no break, they keep callin' my cellular
This the game, and we know this life we gon' be alright
Ain't no sleep tonight, bitch, we out here chasin' paper
Shipment just come in, drop work in Ponchatoula and Springfield
Extended clip on the nine milli, a lot of hollow tips, no refill
Imagine how the fuck we feel, in the winter time no heat here
I sleep here, all my smokers beg, bum and borrow for free beer
And we feel, you'll need a nigga like me in your life
Drive time it's goin' vrroom
I listen to the radio, we on fly, shawty say she all mine
Color all in the wrong lines, to the dope game I got strong ties
I've sold cocaine, this all the time
Favorite old songs, entitled "White Lines"
Watch rich people snort white lines
With light wine at dinner parties
I been retarded, I leave a party
People start to leavin' like we the party
Thuggin' on, don't mention it
Pockets full of Benjamins
Coke and rock and choppin' off 'em, private goin' on shopping sprees
Glock in my back pocket, already cocked, okay, I'm clockin' cheese
Trap jump off the hinges, in the trenches, all in alleyways
Had to say, each and every day we grabbin' paper
Live a hustler, probably die a gangster and etcetera
Sometime I can't take no break, they keep callin' my cellular
This the game, and we know this life we gon' be alright
Ain't no sleep tonight, bitch, we out here chasin' paper
The lyrics of Kevin Gates’s “Paper Chasers” depict the harsh realities of street life, where the pursuit of wealth through illegal means is the only way out of poverty. The hook, “Coke and rock and choppin' off 'em, private goin' on shopping sprees, Glock in my back pocket, already cocked, okay, I'm clockin' cheese,” shows how the singer is involved in drug trafficking and gun violence while making enough money to live luxuriously.
He also mentions in the second verse that he’s been arrested numerous times and is a repeat offender, which further indicates that he has decided to embrace a life of crime. The lyrics “Live a hustler, probably die a gangster and etcetera, Sometime I can't take no break, they keep callin' my cellular, This the game, and we know this life we gon' be alright” show that the singer has accepted the risks and rewards of his chosen path.
In conclusion, “Paper Chasers” is a gritty and unapologetic portrayal of the challenges and rewards of street life. It portrays how some people have no choice but to turn to illegal activities to escape poverty but are aware of the consequences.
Line by Line Meaning
I'ma let you hear the other one after I do this
I will play another song for you once I finish this one
I'ma let you hear the one, you know the 6's and all that old shit
I will play the song you know with the signature 6s and other popular references
That we don't fuck around shit
The song we are listening to is serious and not to be taken lightly
I like this shit, man
I really enjoy this type of music
Coke and rock and choppin' off 'em, private goin' on shopping sprees
Dealing cocaine and crack while spending money on expensive things privately
Glock in my back pocket, already cocked, okay, I'm clockin' cheese
I carry a loaded glock in my back pocket and earning money fast
Trap jump off the hinges, in the trenches, all in alleyways
The drug trafficking business is booming and happening everywhere
Had to say, each and every day we grabbin' paper
We work hard every day to make more money
Live a hustler, probably die a gangster and etcetera
Living as a hustler and most likely dying as a gangster, among other things
Sometime I can't take no break, they keep callin' my cellular
Sometimes I cannot rest because people keep calling my phone
This the game, and we know this life we gon' be alright
This is how the game is played, and we know we will be okay even with the risks
Ain't no sleep tonight, bitch, we out here chasin' paper
There will be no sleep tonight because we are striving to make more money
Hate to fall in with a TEC-9, no bandana, no gloves on
I hate to resort to violence but will use a TEC-9 without covering my face or wearing gloves
Long kiss goodnight, my nigga, but we ain't makin' no love song
Saying goodbye to someone close, but this is not a sentimental moment
This bullshit you sold me got Inisotol, no soda on it
This low-quality product you sold me has no cutting agent mixed in
I straight dropped it, lost 20 grams, like what the fuck is you smokin', homie?
I discarded the poor quality product and lost 20 grams, questioning your methods
Red Camaro, white rally stripes, gon' probably be on TV
I own a flashy red Camaro with white rally stripes which may attract media attention
Move wrong while the tool on, I'll put your ass on Street Beat
If you make the wrong move while I have a weapon, you will end up on the news being arrested
Repeat, you see me, I'm a repeat offender
I am known for committing the same crimes multiple times
Park the whip, lay under houses, hear you move 'round with the stethoscope
I park my car, crawl under houses, and can hear you moving around with a stethoscope
Arrested for a little vestiges, teach these pussy niggas 'bout stretchin' coke
I got arrested for minor charges related to drug dealing, but will teach others how to cut and increase profit margins
Bend the bend with the machine gun like, "Say hello to my little friend"
I will violently attack enemies with a machine gun, inspired by a famous movie quote
Chick I met at Texaco, down here for school, not visitin'
I met a woman at Texaco gas station, and she is here for school rather than just visiting
Say it's about to get interestin', bitch say she from Michigan
Things are about to become exciting, as the woman I am with is from Michigan
Shipment just come in, drop work in Ponchatoula and Springfield
A new shipment of drugs has arrived, and I will distribute it in Ponchatoula and Springfield
Extended clip on the nine milli, a lot of hollow tips, no refill
I carry a nine millimeter gun with an extended clip and numerous hollow tips
Imagine how the fuck we feel, in the winter time no heat here
It is difficult to survive during the winter without heat
I sleep here, all my smokers beg, bum and borrow for free beer
I live in poverty and my drug addicts are desperate for free alcohol
And we feel, you'll need a nigga like me in your life
We believe that you will need someone like me in your life
Drive time it's goin' vrroom
I am driving and accelerating fast
I listen to the radio, we on fly, shawty say she all mine
I am listening to the radio, we are doing well, and a woman says she is mine
Color all in the wrong lines, to the dope game I got strong ties
The coloring is not done correctly, but I have strong connections in the drug business
I've sold cocaine, this all the time
Selling cocaine is a constant for me
Favorite old songs, entitled "White Lines"
My favorite old songs are about cocaine, called "White Lines"
Watch rich people snort white lines, with light wine at dinner parties
I envy rich people who use cocaine and drink wine at dinner parties
I been retarded, I leave a party, people start to leavin' like we the party
I acted foolishly and left the party, causing others to leave as well
Thuggin' on, don't mention it, pockets full of Benjamins
I am living as a thug, and do not want to discuss it, while carrying a lot of hundred-dollar bills
Coke and rock and choppin' off 'em, private goin' on shopping sprees
Dealing cocaine and crack while spending money on expensive things privately
Glock in my back pocket, already cocked, okay, I'm clockin' cheese
I carry a loaded glock in my back pocket and earning money fast
Trap jump off the hinges, in the trenches, all in alleyways
The drug trafficking business is booming and happening everywhere
Had to say, each and every day we grabbin' paper
We work hard every day to make more money
Live a hustler, probably die a gangster and etcetera
Living as a hustler and most likely dying as a gangster, among other things
Sometime I can't take no break, they keep callin' my cellular
Sometimes I cannot rest because people keep calling my phone
This the game, and we know this life we gon' be alright
This is how the game is played, and we know we will be okay even with the risks
Ain't no sleep tonight, bitch, we out here chasin' paper
There will be no sleep tonight because we are striving to make more money
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Kevin Gilyard, Steve McKinley Thornton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-bn9es1vo6e
8 years later, if you're watching this, you're a legend.
@danieldyminskiii7239
Believe in Jesus Christ after all this social engineering is something way more accomplished... God bless to everyone 🙏🏼💙
@hunteratwater5731
Hell yeah man I still remember when this came out bumping Kevin before everyone else
@tylercartee123
💯
@jamiedarkoh5888
I know
@shaneclark3948
Hehe
@user-bn9es1vo6e
Heavenly Father I pray you keep the person that's reading this alive, safe, healthy and financially blessed. Amen
@jaywebb9952
Amen 🙏
@jonathanrutledge8090
Same to you 🙏
@CMchyy
Amen. Thank you. Same.