Kevin Gates jumped on to Instagram to update his fans on his current habits. Of late, the Baton Rouge "struggle" rapper has regained the strength to enter the public sphere, and the hip hop landscape is a better place for it. Kevin Gates speaks to an entire American demographic underrepresented in mainstream hip hop. This post in particular, hints at a possible intergenerational super group of Youngboy Never Broke Again and Gates, the two most important Baton Rouge rappers since Lil Boosie and Webbie signed their major deals out of Louisiana.
The photo of NBA and Kevin Gates posing in "strict face" is followed by a caption that reads "We on Location," alluding to potential music from the pair. Both rappers are riding high after releasing critically lauded albums: Kevin Gates' Chained to the City and Youngboy's Until Death Call My Name. The younger of two was earmarked by Birdman as a worthy successor to Lil Wayne, in the ascendancy of Down South rap.
At worst, Kevin Gates is well cast as a mentor to NBA Youngboy, on both a personal and professional level. Kevin Gates' experience as an independent artist has entrenched many valuable lessons he can impart, as well as work ethic no doubt contagious. Youngboy is the future of Baton Rouge rap-realism, but Kevin Gates is hardly kicking the bucket either.