Atlantic Records: Kevin Gates Unleashes “BY ANY MEANS”

The Baton Rouge-based rapper has already unleashed a number of other tracks from “BY ANY MEANS,” including “Don’t Know,” “Amnesia (Feat. Doe B),” and “Bet I’m On It (Feat. 2 Chainz).” In addition to the aforementioned 2 Chainz and the late, great Doe B, the mixtape further features collaborations with such hip-hop superstars as Plies and Rico Love, as well as top producers and beatmakers like Jim Jonsin, Dun Deal, V12 The Hitman, Beewirks, Honorable C.N.O.T.E., and The Runners (see tracklisting below).

Gates has just returned from an extraordinary week of showcase performances at the annual South by Southwest (SXSW) extravaganza in Austin, Texas, earning some of the festival’s most ecstatic notices for his numerous live appearances. “Mesmerizing,” declared Stereogum, noting that “his are intricate and tricky songs, but he burned right through them with no hypeman’s assistance… whenever he’d finish a song, strangers in the crowd would exchange holy-sh*t looks with each other.” Fans can see for themselves via a stellar performance clip of “Arm & Hammer,” filmed live at last week’s official SXSW “Welcome 2 Tha South” showcase, streaming now at Gates’ official YouTube channel (http://youtu.be/6kNbTPaJABg). In addition, Gates’ fascinating SXSW conversation with NPR’s Microphone Check can be heard now exclusively at www.npr.org/event/music/290200206/kevin-gates-i-put-all-my-flaws-on-front-street.

Hailed as one of hip-hop’s most intriguing and exciting new artists, Kevin Gates broke out big-time with 2013’s masterful mixtape, “THE LUCA BRASI STORY.” The set — alongside featured roles on tracks like Pusha T’s “Trust You” — earned the Baton Rouge-based MC both popular success and widespread critical acclaim for his extraordinary emotional power and melodic invention, ultimately leading to a new partnership between Atlantic Records and his own Bread Winners’ Association. In addition, “THE LUCA BRASI STORY” was named by Rolling Stone as one of the “20 Best Hip Hop Albums of 2013,” with the mixtape’s “Wylin’,” ranked in the top 40 of the “100 Best Songs of 2013” ranking.

“STRANGER THAN FICTION” expertly built upon the mixtape’s accomplishment, highlighting Gates’ idiosyncratic style on diverse tracks like “Strokin’,” “Satellites (HPG Remix) (Feat. Wiz Khalifa),” and the truly haunting single, “4:30 AM.” The album quickly reaped rapturous reviews from an array of national publications, including Pitchfork, which praised “Gates’ versatile rapping… keen lyricism and inventive vocal tricks,” noting “the record’s uncompromising hard luck street narratives are dispensed with a preternaturally sharp eye for detail.” THE FADER, commended the album for “moving from hyper-detailed, heartbreaking tracks like “4:30 AM,” to collaborations with Migos, Juicy J and a particularly hoarse track with Starlito with effortless intensity.” “Kevin Gates demonstrates the vulnerability and inventive style that have made him one of 2013’s buzzing newcomers,” declared XXL while applauding “STRANGER THAN FICTION” as “a melodic brand of street music that maintains a cr ucial gritty aesthetic.” “Gates’ mournful gangster fatalism and gift for melody is on full display,” wrote Complex, while SPIN raved, “His vision is wide and open-hearted, and his skills are extensive… quite simply, (Kevin Gates is) one of the most sensitive and self-aware rappers around.”

(TRACKLISTING BELOW)

Kevin Gates
“BY ANY MEANS”
(Bread Winners Association / Atlantic)
Available March 18th

1. Wish I Had It
2. Don’t Know
3. Amnesia (Feat. Doe B)
4. Can’t Make This Up
5. Keep F*cking With Me (Feat. Plies)
6. Homicide
7. Movie
8. Go Hard (Feat. Rico Love)
9. Bet I’m On It (Feat. 2 Chainz)
10. Arm & Hammer
11. Posed To Be In Love
12. Stop Lyin’
13. Wit It
14. Just Want Some Money
15. Again
16. Get Up On My Level