As an artist, you’ve got to know yourself and your own vision first and foremost. Kevin Gates certainly does. The Baton Rouge-based rapper doesn’t pull any punches, and his honesty fuels everything he does. More importantly, you can get to know him very well just by listening to what he’s got to say on tape.

Rap felt like destiny for him from a very young age. In a house with stacks of records and CDs, he became engaged by the likes of Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, and The Notorious B.I.G. as a child. Watching music videos religiously, the burgeoning MC would then perform for his aunts and uncles during family gatherings.

Ultimately though, it always remains about the same thing for Gates—the music. He leaves off, "It feels good when people appreciate my art in its entirety. That makes me feel great. I want everyone to experience this in its entirety. Other than that, I don't have any complaints. As long as I can record, I'm okay. That's all that matters."