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.
What's Understood
Kevin Gates Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Saturday a few missed calls while the Tv on but I′m not watching
My brother reading car magazines really into cars like rim shopping
Obama just been re-elected who gives a fuck when the coke dry
Dope high getting less for shows gotta branch off into different markets
This means being cautious all types of people in large [?]
Erick on the phone and he calling me collect
Witness was victim of a random act of violence
Nigga pulled up on the side of him and shot him in the neck
I′m a street gang project legend trap house live like we sell concession
GPS in foreign whips make It so I don't even need directions
Found a line got activated pints of Actavis 600
Fuck a tour bus I might pull up I'm my white cl 600
With my front girl out of town who love me way before the money
Gates
You niggas insecure
I don′t even listen
What′s understood need not be explained if you really live it
Rolling round my hood they speaking like they rolling with me
What's understood need not be explained if you really live it
My baby mamas keep it the realer then my fucking niggas
What′s understood need not be explained if you really live it
3 in the liter when I'm drinking that′s just how I sip it
What's understood need not be explained if you really live it
Lucas Brasi
If I′m dead broke would you lend somethin
Thought id quit thuggin till my ribbs touchin
Up town dezzie he a 6 somethin
Like a pit up the four fifth fucking
My bitch ugly ol fine ass
Riding pass you know big stuntin
You could fuck around and get big stunting
Hand shakes fake lotta snakes here
Lions, tigers, and apes here
Rest in peace on a white tee
Play crazy make me put your face here
While you rest in peace I might be
With you girlfriend or your friend girl
Come visit her to smoke [?]
Impressionable both simplistic ain't no telling what the hell it is
Ain't no telling what the hell I did
Say you fucked her
The hell I did
Spent some time in the cell I did
Question asked what the hell I did
Pray hard and talked to God
And picked the Bible up off an on
Fuck I don′t give
Brain up like switch
Have trouble turning it off and on
Kevin Gates's song, What's Understood, is a song that addresses the concept of loyalty and trust in relationships. It begins with Gates discussing the current events of his life, like missing phone calls and his brother's obsession with cars. As he receives a phone call from a friend in prison, he learns about a person who got shot randomly on the side of the road, showcasing the harsh realities of street life.
The chorus, "What's understood need not be explained if you really live it," refers to the belief that true relationships do not require constant explanations or validations of loyalty. Gates gives examples in the following verses, discussing how his girlfriend and baby mamas are more loyal than his male friends. He also talks about his life in the streets, where people's intentions are often unclear.
Gates notes how he does not care about fame, money, or others' opinions, as he focuses on relationships and his personal values. The song showcases Gates's introspective and sincere approach to his music, emphasizing the importance of honesty and loyalty, and how he values these traits in others.
Line by Line Meaning
Saturday a few missed calls while the Tv on but I’m not watching
I was at home on Saturday, ignoring some missed calls and watching TV.
My brother reading car magazines really into cars like rim shopping
My brother was absorbed in car magazines, comparing rims like he was shopping.
Obama just been re-elected who gives a fuck when the coke dry
Obama was re-elected, but that didn't matter to me since my coke supply had run out.
Dope high getting less for shows gotta branch off into different markets
Since I'm not making as much money from shows, I need to explore new markets while staying cautious.
This means being cautious all types of people in large [?]
Given the amount of variety and unknown people in my environment, I need to be extra vigilant.
Erick on the phone and he calling me collect
For his motion for discovery and he ain't even stressed
Erick called me collect, talking about his legal motion and surprisingly didn't seem stressed.
Witness was victim of a random act of violence
Nigga pulled up on the side of him and shot him in the neck
A witness fell victim to a senseless shooting, as someone pulled up beside him and shot him in the neck.
I’m a street gang project legend trap house live like we sell concession
I am a legendary member of the street gang and I reside in an illicit trap house, dealing in high volumes like a concession stand.
GPS in foreign whips make It so I don't even need directions
Thanks to my foreign car's GPS, I can navigate my way without needing directions.
Found a line got activated pints of Actavis 600
Fuck a tour bus I might pull up I'm my white cl 600
I managed to acquire some Actavis 600 and don't need to tour for money. Instead, I'll pull up in my white Mercedez CL 600.
With my front girl out of town who love me way before the money
I'm hanging out with a girl who has loved me long before my fortune.
You niggas insecure
I don’t even listen
I don't bother listening to insecure individuals.
What’s understood need not be explained if you really live it
Rolling round my hood they speaking like they rolling with me
If you are truly living a certain way, those who understand don't need it explained to them. People in my neighborhood are talking like they know me and my lifestyle.
My baby mamas keep it the realer then my fucking niggas
My baby mamas are more real and honest than some of my close friends.
3 in the liter when I'm drinking that’s just how I sip it
When I drink, I prefer 3 shots per liter and that's just how I like it.
If I’m dead broke would you lend somethin
Thought id quit thuggin till my ribbs touchin
If I was broke, would you lend me some money? I thought I would have stopped hustling, but I'm so broke I'm hungry.
Up town dezzie he a 6 somethin
Like a pit up the four fifth fucking
Up-town Dezzie is riding in a luxury car and packing a powerful gun like a fierce pitbull.
My bitch ugly ol fine ass
Riding pass you know big stuntin
My girl may not be conventionally attractive, but she is still on my arm while I show off out in public.
You could fuck around and get big stunting
Hand shakes fake lotta snakes here
You might get caught up trying to stunt too hard. There are many untrustworthy people around me.
Lions, tigers, and apes here
Rest in peace on a white tee
There are all types of dangerous people around me. I have lost some friends and commemorate them with RIP tees.
Play crazy make me put your face here
While you rest in peace I might be
If you act up, I won't hesitate to mess you up too. You might be the one resting in peace instead.
With you girlfriend or your friend girl
Come visit her to smoke [?]
I might visit your girlfriend, or even your female friend, just to chill and smoke with them.
Impressionable both simplistic ain't no telling what the hell it is
Ain't no telling what the hell I did
Everything seems simple, but appearances can be deceiving. It's impossible to tell what someone will do in a certain situation.
Say you fucked her
The hell I did
You are claiming I slept with her? Absolutely not!
Spent some time in the cell I did
Question asked what the hell I did
I spent time in jail, but people around me are questioning the reason for my incarceration.
Pray hard and talked to God
And picked the Bible up off an on
I am a religious person and often consult with God, even reading the Bible intermittently.
Fuck I don’t give
Brain up like switch
Have trouble turning it off and on
I don't really care about stuff, but my brain sometimes has trouble transitioning from casual to serious situations.
Writer(s): Tucker Orlando Jahlil, Gilyard Kevin
Contributed by Lincoln L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
VarSkiiii
on Fly Again
I'm laying here crying bc i fell for fatal attraction.