Kevin Gates is a world-renowned rapper whose music has skyrocketed to the top of the charts, and he has performed for packed stadiums across the country. The Kevin Gates who shot to fame several years back is not the same man who is on a new mission today. But what changed?
In December 2020, Gates was depressed and planned to end his life. But, as he recalls in a recent interview, a chance encounter with a fan at the gym made him decide to at least wait a few days. The fan expressed how Gates’ music “was the only thing that made sense in this crazy world,” and that made Gates aware of how many people he has impacted.
“It shows you how God works through people,” Gates said. Ultimately, Gates didn’t go through with his plan. He decided to live. He learned that suicide was never the answer to his pain. Now, Gates wants to use his voice to reach as many people as he can, hoping that anyone who is going through the same thing will hear his story and know that their life is worth living, too.
Gates has been very open to speaking about his experience with depression and suicide because he believes mental health struggles shouldn’t be taboo.
Another way Gates is using his voice for this cause is through his music. His single, “Scars,” from his third studio album, KHAZA, released in 2022, explores the pain of losing loves and the pain of life.
What hasn’t changed about Gates is his dedication to releasing new music. To start off 2023, he released a mixtape, The Luca Brasi Story (A Decade of Brasil), and continues to thrill listeners with new singles. On April 7, he was surprised on stage in Baton Rouge and received a proclamation from his hometown for his groundbreaking work in music and philanthropic initiatives.
“If I only help one person with my story, with everything I’ve been through, then I’ve served my purpose,” Gates said. He credits his Muslim faith for his discipline, perseverance and ability to stay on track.
