“I’m watching Kevin Gates grow,” says the rapper of himself. Chained to the City and Only Generals the Gon Understand both highlighted Gates’ bruising delivery and cinematic storytelling as previews of his forthcoming sophomore album, I’m Him. Rather than allow his demons to cripple his confidence, the 33-year-old quickly doled out two EPs upon his prison release.

Prior to the interview, he had parked himself towards the corner of the room and easily knocked out 25 diamond push-ups, “just because.”Īfter receiving a 30-month prison sentence stemming from a 2013 gun charge - which halted the upward trajectory of his 2016 debut album, Islah, and its top 20 smash “2 Phones” - Gates was released on parole in early 2018, and addressed the feelings of self-loathing that surged through his body. These days, Gates’ motor runs on self-discipline: he refuels his positive energy with affirmations, self-talks, physical activity, prayer. After sitting down for a Billboard interview and receiving my first question, which is about his religious faith, Kevin Gates cuts me off, and takes the time he needs to recenter before our 20-minute sitdown.