Kevin Jerome Gilyard (born February 5, 1986) is an American rapper, singer, and entrepreneur better known by his stage name Kevin Gates.

He is currently signed to Bread Winners’ Association, in collaboration with Atlantic Records. Islah, his debut studio album, was released in January 2016 and peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States. Prior to Islah, Gates released several mixtapes, including Stranger Than Fiction, By Any Means, and Luca Brasi 2, all of which charted in the top 40 on the Billboard 200.

Gates’ Bread Winners’ Association record label released the mixtape The Luca Brasi Story in early 2013. According to Pitchfork, the mixtape “imbues trap’s claustrophobic bleakness with an emotional nakedness, capable lyricism, and melodic certitude that many of its recent breakout stars have lacked.” The mixtape’s lead single, “Wylin’,” was named the 40th best song of 2013 by Rolling Stone. Following the success of that mixtape, Gates was signed to Atlantic Records. Stranger Than Fiction, his debut major label mixtape, was released in July 2013. The mixtape covers topics ranging from depression to Gates’ time in prison. Despite being shorter than Gates had hoped, the mixtape received positive feedback. Stranger Than Fiction was also the first of Gates’ mixtapes to chart on the Billboard 200, peaking at number 37.

Kevin Gates siblings: Meet Brandon Gilyard

Kevin Gates was raised alongside his twin brother Brandon Gilyard. They were only 17 years old when their father died.