Interview: Kevin Gates: 'I Put All My Flaws On Front Street'

Kevin Gates drove up in a matte black truck and sat down in the backyard of East Austin shop and coffee shop Friends & Neighbors the same week his song "Get Up On My Level" rang out all over the SXSW music festival. It was just days before his most-anticipated project (yet), By Any Means, was to be released and only a week after fellow Baton Rouge rapper (and early collaborator) Lil Boosie left prison. Gates has been building his name, especially over the last year, and spoke with Microphone Check hosts Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Frannie Kelley about his conflicted feelings regarding his success. "The more I grow in popularity, the lonelier it gets," he says. "Because you don't really know me. You just know this part of me. You fell in love with that. But it's way more intricate than what meets the surface."
In their conversation, Gates says he records to deal with depression, even though he's his own biggest critic, and that he makes music for himself. He reads Anne Rice novels and books about meditation, writes constantly and says of his first show, when he forgot the lyrics to his own songs, "It was the most embarrassing, humiliating, best thing that ever could have happened to me."--FRANNIE KELLEY
CREDITS
Producers: Mito Habe-Evans, Frannie Kelley, Ali Shaheed Muhammed; Audio Engineer: Kevin Wait; Videographers: Olivia Merrion, A.J. Wilhelm; Editor: Becky Harlan; Special Thanks: Friends & Neighbors, Cedric Shine; Executive Producer: Anya Grundmann.

[@gotdamn_tarantino]

Whether you're a fan or not...Dude is real as hell..."As far as their mind can expand, that's as far as the convo is gonna go"....Exactly!!!!

[@TheKKCody0824]

this guy is too real. great dude, great personality.. isn't afraid to be himself

[@matthewamha5409]

Why is Ali so awkward?. Kev is a very smart dude though i dont even listen to his music but im about to start because of this. Him and Nipsey gotta be the smartest young dudes in the game right now man.

[@xORLVNDO]

Gates and Nipsey in my top 3

[@WunOfAKindGee]

I would of took offense if someone started chuckling like that if I said I'm avid reader. That was just straight condescending like he couldn't fathom this man reads.

[@socillizt4life]

That was a strange reaction from A Tribe Called Quests legendary producer/DJ,but as ‘Gates states he had a convo’ with ‘each other b4 the camaras started rolling,I think he was laughing thinking that’s another thing they had in common,that was my take anyway

[@GaiYah]

Exactly, I was wanting to know what was so funny

[@StunnaTwo9]

I discovered kevin Gates music about 2 weeks ago ever since then ive been listenin to all his music, You know he a real dude

[@AntMcLeod]

Me too, never heard of him until somone put that XXL 2014 Freshman joint.

[@ThuqnificentLI]

Ant McLeod same haha. he's without a doubt my favorite rapper out right now.

[@BrittWDoubleBaggedKRON]

***** LOL You Know Bruh

[@matthewcantu2240]

if gates comes off as odd to you, you just don't understand. hes the perfect example of what humanity should be like, with that said all praise be to the most high no matter which religion theres only 1 god

[@matthewcantu2240]

+skchalivetlnd go slap "the truth"

[@plxya3857]

+skchalivetlnd yeah listen to the song called "the truth"

[@cliftonvaughnjr2262]

Old boy from tribe was kinda leaning on him, ya know like trying to catch him slippin', KG played it cool though. He did that interview with class and respect..

[@AyoForYolo]

I love at 17:00 what he says in response to being "a little bit of a mystery" .. "As far as their mind can expand, that's as far as my conversation is gonna go"... " I just learned from experience that individuals have different belief systems."

[@DerrickLoganMedia]

I wonder why the black dude laughed when he said he's a reader. smh

[@TheCierraconley]

A lot of people are saying this is a weird or awkward interview but its not an awkward interview to me. Its just 3 people having a regular conversation and I think some people are so used to seeing interviews that are scripted that seeing this interview seems awkward to them.

[@3rdqtrqq291]

Man the way this interview was done at that time a day and the whole set up as a whole was brilliant

[@JazzyGalindo]

I don't listen to rap much but I like Mr. Gates.

[@AntiMatter3000]

he sounds sort of hispanic.

[@grifftown4204]

He's Puerto Rican ^

[@AntiMatter3000]

Griffin Whitehead Well there we go.

[@13aLL3r]

Antimatter ThreeThou his mother boricua, but he cant rly speak spanish.

[@Weah702]

@olivia gates can speak fluid spanish.

[@elizabeth3883]

This explains why Gates is my favorite human being. I can relate on many levels. You don’t find too many of his calibre.

[@nenechicka]

And at 3:50, why did he laugh when Kevin said he's an avid reader??? Pretty insulting. Gates can probably run laps around him.

[@kylecole5009]

The dude in the interview seems scared to fully ask a question without hesitation

[@ryanwright3157]

He has to be mild on the questions with Kevin gates because he relies on respect with a lot of people. But there seems to be by what I've observed they have a lot in common there is of course non similarities between the two but at least they were cool with eachother cause it's difficult even trying to make an introverted person to come out their shell even the slightest bit and I know especially with my introvertedness I can be very difficult to talk to about certain things and topics

[@kylenashepherd2159]

My daddy is from baton rouge, Louisiana and he always says you heard me

[@wrappofame9760]

The black interviewer tho.... " I like ya voice " .... " you can say whatever you wanna say " 😂

[@4BredBud]

This is the best rap interview period. The whole tone is so chill and inviting.

[@MrSpideyman20]

That dude started catchin feelins for kev towards the end, he started talkin all soft and gazin at em 😂

[@briam143_]

Omg I was wondering if I was trippen lol then when they showed his shoes dude has his knee on Kevin... lol

[@davisionairy4680]

lol the world is not ready for Gates, he's one of the realist I seen since 2pac

[@skinnydonc]

Gates needs to write a book and movie. That would interesting. I would like to hear him and Eminem on a song.

[@izzyg8010]

NOW THAT WOULD BE RAW!!!!!!

[@trabjackson101]

Omg comment off the day!

[@tylermfngill]

Check his song called marshal mathers out.

[@trabjackson101]

I did it go hard

[@debonairedino848]

I rather watch his interviews than listen to his music, much more relatable.

[@youngreap1564]

7:50 gates lowkey checked him for laughing when he said he reads. Well done

[@blkgirlblues5150]

It's only certain rap I rock wit now a days. And I really dig my lil bruh music and delivery. He know how to give you the goose bumps and feel it. You know when it's the truth. I can't just rock wit alotta music that's out these days. I look for that Pac DMX n Nas feeling. Real Raw n Gutter

[@TALBRAY1]

Shawnee Bey WWW.SOUNDCLOUD.COM/TALBRAYFLOYD

[@matthewcantu2240]

exactly

[@PitBullet]

l love the down south beats and the lyrical style mixed

[@kingjmansa7027]

GREAT interview NPR!! Kevin Gates is a great interviewee on his own! He can really perform a whole interview without many questions asked. I've been watching his interviews lately and they ALL have been good because *he* was great. This one in particular was good because now the interviewer(s) were good, so it was like they were bouncing off of each other "so to speak". The only bad part was that chuckle by Ali in the beginning, when it seemed like "really, you're an avid reader?" BUT 1. I would not take that one thing and discredit the entire interview or discredit where Ali made up for it as the interview went on. 2. Kevin controlled the entire interview (as usual) and turned it into a great one. So much so, Kevin wanted to chop it up with Ali afterwards. All credit to Kevin because he could've easily allowed Ali's gesture to affect the interview. In the end, I think Kevin is used to it by now, so he lays off of people.

[@lovedichoreo1529]

I agree

[@plxya3857]

i agree with every single word you said

[@plxya3857]

i agree with every single word you said

[@frederickedeh8664]

whenever i listen to this guy i get enlightened on a new way to look at life. kevin gates is a Gods gift to hiphop

[@Sunshine-gy7pq]

dem interviewers look so lost XD

[@dirtbaggkaydoe]

Af 😂😂

[@trynano1]

Man I love this guy's interviews... it's refreshing to see people with a mindset like his coming from where he comes from.

[@4raxx20]

That girl doing the interview looks like Emily Ridel from Bering Sea Gold hahahaha

[@truh_von_tay]

This man is soo smart that only few will understand. Thos like minded people or just people that are able to have such apathy are light years ahead of our time.

[@yasiralfukurassup4303]

If you are ever the smartest person you hang with, go find new friends. If Gates sounds that crazy intellectual, you need smarter friends.

[@truh_von_tay]

Yasir Alfukurassup I do you wanna be my friend? Haha

[@duronbryant9463]

Trey Graves you sound stupid

[@charlitomaccabeez4891]

Cant read the masterkey like a traditional book...gotta absorb each chapter one at a time ...good shit!

[@ponder2006]

This dude is real..he didn't even flinch when he said he reads twilight vampire books.

[@johndohe5696]

lmao I doubt dude go home and read twilight before bed,he was locked up all u can do is read

[@jbaby6240]

I have always been a huge Gates fan, his music has gotten me through the roughest of times but after this interview, I swear this man has gained so much more of respect!! #Gates BR stand up! 225 all day

[@mv3x1]

been watchin a few of this dudes interviews, very intresting guy, i feel like people have a hard time talking to him, he is very self involved, but thats what makes him so honest and genuine, and thats what makes him depressed aswell i think because he is so focused on his own thoughts

[@demetricejones6068]

I feel him when he say he feel lik he is an alien cuz that's how feel when people just can't understand you

[@trollinggawd8845]

not even trolling this time..but i`m a huge hiphop fan i don`t listen to too much of this type of style...but after listening to the stories in his music he is an exception ...

[@davionbradford329]

Great interview, I love how humble both of them are

[@tatianaroberson4031]

he looks so good 😍😍😍😭

[@blaqueknight]

This is my favorite rapper now. I've never been to jail, but I identify with so many other things that he says that he has been through and is still going through. This interview is crazy. He's saying many things I think on a daily basis.

[@jognbricks9018]

the interviewer is ali shaheed muhamed. hes part of rap group a tribe called quest. i think thats why gates shows him respect

[@fartknocker132]

na. obviously that dude is a suicide bomber.

[@ZaipexJr]

I love how though out thus entire interview, only like 3/4 questions where asked. These are deffenently the best interviews to watch!

[@KeV42023]

Whats happening in music is that people are starting to be themselves!! Shout Out Gates!!

[@lindseylindsey8427]

He admits that he's "fucked up!" And the interviewer replied " every one is." I instantly got emotional! Because for once in my life i feel that I'm not a lone.

[@rosegoldsoldier]

nigga said "yeaa i stay in record mode" lol

[@MarlonOwnsYourCake]

I did not expect him to break out with the anne rice

[@lindseylindsey8427]

MarlonOwnsYourCake why were you so surprise?

[@mrvega8989]

They thought he was joking when he said I read books !!!!! Then she asked what books you read ? The dude just laughing next to him !!! Wtf

[@plutonianenigma8724]

This dude looks both insightful AF, and scary.... He goes HAM though

[@TheRealOZ]

duds, so real man. dealing with depressions a bitch, but making music is like meditation

[@meditativedestinations3117]

Us Aquarians are always misunderstood!!!! We truly are a different breed. I love us.

[@briam143_]

I actually enjoyed this interview. A lot of other interviews I’ve watched him do ppl be tryna play on him. Here I felt like he was allowed to be himself and they didn’t judge.

[@dalewontheone8009]

i’m so thankful for this human

[@dwil7484]

Theyre terrible at interviewing ppl, they need to have their questions well organized next time

[@finesexymama]

I love to hear him talk... It's just something about his voice 😍

[@duronbryant9463]

Alisha Lovely chill sis

[@WhatIknowstill]

Oh & I'm from Lafayette, La. Can't wait to meet you!

[@thomaslemon866]

I don't think Ali Shaheed was lookin at KG like he was less. Ali used to be in a group...A Tribe Called Quest. Another group called Lucy Pearl and he also did work with R. Sadiq Questlove and D'angelo. He has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to music. KG is foreign....reminds me of Richard Pryor. Tupac Shakur. Marvin Gaye. Mary J. Blige. There is something vulnerable about him. Makes other ppl uncomfortable.

[@JayLauren]

When i first saw this i said "gates is gonna make it, he's gonna be big"

[@khalilswid4907]

I am from North Africa Libya originally but I live in Sweden for 7 years now and I like brother Kevin Gates as man and he is naturally in his talk

[@e.rthegod1965]

They way he looked at him when he said what’s the difference at this point 😂😂😂

[@antoniogordon1031]

Now I really can relate to you you not by yourself I understand you. People going to test you but when they do that turn into a positive watch how fast things change.

[@evinalvarez6769]

My name is Evin and i'm also a introvert like Kevin Gates. I question everything mostly in my head. I love and care for people even the ones that don't like me. I love psychology ( books, movies, articles everything ) I love to read. I love to write even thou i'm not that good since I only been in the us for a couple of years. I love learning about everything (weird stuff sometimes which is pretty funny) now that i think about it. I can enjoy a party only for a few hours after that I want to go home read, make out with my girl anything that's doesn't involve strangers. I Hate talking in front of people or cameras this sometimes disrupts me so much that I cant think of what to say and we introvert HAVE TO THINK BEFORE WE SPEAK OR YOUR F****. One last thing extrovert will never understand us they will always see us as weird people. If only they gave us a chance, well prove to y'all that we are amazing and loyal people who spent lot of time in their head that's all.

[@dariusraheem93]

I wanna meet Kevin Gates in person he seem real & cool as fuck

[@JoHnNyV5432]

Bruh did anyone caught that laugh that the black dude had pissed me off whe kevin said he was an avid reader like a nigga cant read books

[@metaphysics1748]

+francisco v Yea I saw that shit

[@angelinamillano7803]

Thought I was the only one... But I love how nobody laughed with him and he looked stupid

[@bretcrouthamel4868]

+francisco v Would you expect a crack dealer to be an avid reader? probably not... its an assumption but you know most crack dealers wouldnt say they are. Stop looking for a reason to pull the race card

[@talkofmiami03]

😂😂😂 like it's impossible for Kevin to read

[@johnnyleemartiniii8602]

+Bret Crouthamel kevin black/puerto rican

[@ROSSCO7777777]

one thing i really dont like about gates in interviews is he will not let anyone speak on his behalf...he will use a synonym of what word the interviewer says. in every interview "naw i wouldnt say im this but im that" "naw i wouldnt say im a parent, but i would say im a dad because i have a son, knaw meen?"

[@Rawzix]

He wanna keep it professinal put sometimes he just try to look smart - over-smart and it ends up looking stupid as fk

[@BeatsBy2legitjay]

Leo Dez naw iss cus the first interview he did outta jail they twisted his words to make him look bad now he know howta handle interviews and keep his own perspective yall fuccboys kould learn..

[@MookthecoolkidTv]

Exactly he a had a interview where mfs twisted his words on some bitch shit to make him seem like a bad person. And on top of that I think it has a lot to do with his appearance, he looks like a thug so ppl might automatically assume he's dumb, so he tries his best to prove them otherwise. Salute to Kevin gates much respect.

[@davisionairy4680]

Exactly

[@michaelmann4705]

The man has a masters degree in psycology. I wouldn't say he's trying to prove himself either. He's just a brutally truthful nigga.

[@roxxylala26]

This whole NPR interview is low key HILARIOUS😂 THE whole set up. Btw the other black dude is a rapper from the group "Tribe Called Quest". An old school hip hop group.

[@kylemillerv9865]

I listen to your song's

[@Andrereport23]

When it was real gates people barley know this gates was the best he was a honest pure gangsta rapper now he let fans get in his head he aint strong as this gates was so upbove music level he was more deep intunes with his music gates all love my brotha

[@kalebsmith4907]

This is the truth 💯💯. This version of Gates will always be the realist & the hardest Gates

[@missmads27]

vampire novels lol I like him

[@206EASTLAKEROB]

Gates weird as hell...BUT it's hilarious to me because we have too much in common. I deal with depression, "Feel like an alien", don't like sports or watch TV, love Asia, investigate and research EVERYTHING instead of believing what I'm told(Skeptic), love the hell out of music(As it calms me down too), don't like being FLASHY, I just don't really read anymore like I use to!

[@devonjrlee7200]

Kevin gates is one of the realest rappers out. No one can touch him. Not even lil wayne or kendrick lamar

[@enigmahh44]

Lil wayne could never touch KG

[@duronbryant9463]

Devon Jr Lee GTFOH

[@jreitler9]

Best interview personally

[@emmanuelduncan6475]

google the bro who interviewing him yall b surprise

[@bruceleeroy6609]

This is where I found gates 15 yes ago 💪🏼

[@marymae9948]

i relate on exactly how he feels he is my role model i love himm ughh big fan

[@deannagreen2006]

NPR MUSIC INTERVIEW WITH KEVIN GATES THE BIG GENERAL I LIKE YOUR SWAG BOY . 3/10/20 MUSIC IS GREAT FOR THE SOUL . I LEARNED ALOT FROM YOUR INTERVIEWS (K.G )

[@KrillinDay59]

I understand most of the things you're talking about, Kevin Gates. I really hope you read this even though you won't believe it because you don't know me and I don't know you. I just feel as though there's a certain relation between our personalities. Stay true man, you're easily the best thing to happen to the music scene in the past 10 years.

[@poncho.villa_]

Lol @ "naw I wouldn't say tht" in every interview! But he sneaking up on boosie in my favorite list

[@NexxusProductions]

Haha my first show I forgot my lines to a couple tracks too... (That still aren't out yet - and now that I've grown and made better music I'm planning on releasing, some may not come out for a while) and it was definitely a much needed experience. I relate to this dude a lot. Just on that pure artistry, being fucked up - not perfect - im PER-FUCKED. I'm excited to release this CD man.... and I'm sure Kevin and I will be makin some dope shit sometime soon.

[@waterdeath1498]

watch this interview over again and watch their body language pay attention to eyes who's staring at who and the vague questions they asked for Kevin to answer you have to ("see with your ears")every time the awkward silence happens pay attention to the eyes of the interviews .A nd please note Kevin was fucking with their heads especially the Muslim note that Kevin caught on to the laughter of him and taunted at him

[@milwaukeebrewers6337]

Who eyebrows thicker drakes or gates?

[@rairai4346]

He looks so much like Mohammed Ali, i love Gates, hes is intelligent and very honest!

[@robertwright8747]

What is the name of the song that playing in the background when it first come on ? Anybody please

[@Sleepwitoneeyeopen]

Gates is gonna be a problem in the game hip hop better watch out the kid got's a lot of talent and str8 from the streets for real.

[@kevinyardie9135]

those interviewers are so dull and dry @Kevin Gates what are you doing with those lame interviewers

[@lloydderouen1438]

I would of fell asleep on their ass.

[@King-mk9vi]

LMAO

[@barteesmatthews1969]

Gates!!!!!Bra your my voice!!!Keep being authentic!!!

[@asiajw3]

They need better interviewers

[@ivancelis5480]

The interviews look scared 😂

[@BabyDoll-jl2qb]

Kevin Gate's Just Checked Out Once Again As The Realest !! For Real. I'm Veronica from the 417 just keeping it Real

[@josueefigenio8305]

That dude giving the interview is awkward af

[@WhatIknowstill]

I have a MA in English & I will make time for you any day!

[@chistophercriswell7759]

For anyone to leave a negative comment on this interview, you are what's wrong with the world. Your parents have failed you.

[@LGM1194]

Look like they all got high before it started. Lol dope interview tho.

[@23bamboosaclose]

I started listening to his music a couple of weeks ago and I think he is talented. And I'm really impressed with this interview -being his first that I've watched. I recently started listening to Troy Ave as well. His music is great but I hate his personality. Kevin, on the other hand, I never expected to relate to this much before watching this.

[@Fatal0126]

Long ass smoke circle from That 70s Show

[@kingartison]

Him with Travis scott or Kane west would be beyond words

[@mcdadou931]

Lol I don't be like "hey I'm going thru this"... Funny dude

[@Aiga_Affiliated]

these interviewers seem a bit emotionless. Just keeping a straight face throughout the the whole interview.

[@AUFC_vision]

Gates without the grills

[@stefeeze]

Ali is So DISRESPECTFUL... because he should have been CHECKED.

[@DerrickLoganMedia]

I wonder what that conversation sounded like after the interview