Kevin Gates Gets "Emotional" After Failing Newer York Spelling Challenge

BYAron A.27.7K Views
Link Copied to Clipboard!
Randy Shropshire/Getty Images
Kevin Gates attends the Warner Music Pre-Grammy Party at the NoMad Hotel on February 7, 2019 in Los Angeles, California.
Kevin Gates has some trouble spelling on the Newer York spelling challenge.

Kevin Gates has an expansive vocabulary that was recently put to the test during his visit to Nadeska's Beats1 show. The rapper stepped in for the Newer York spelling challenge where he was asked to spell out several words that he's used in his music in the past. If you're familiar with any of Gates' music, you know that he's on his T.I. vibes when it comes to his vernacular. Unfortunately, it seems like many of the words he uses aren't words that he's not able to spell. Although he nailed 'penitentiary,' he was unable to get the others. In all fairness, Gates did reveal that he speaks three different languages so the way he "spells words is how they sound." 

Kevin Gates Gets "Emotional" After Failing Newer York Spelling Challenge

By the time he was in the second round, he joked that he wouldn't use any more big words that he doesn't know how to spell. "Then Nadeska talkin' 'bout, 'stop using such big words.' I swear, after today, I'm done," he admitted before attempting to spell out 'eczema.' Despite failing to get the majority of the answers correct, he still provided a classic Gates moment on the show filled with humor.

Kevin Gates is about a month and some change removed from the release of his latest project I'm Him. We recently caught up with him for our most recent Digital Cover Story which you can check out here. 


About The Author
Aron A. is a features editor for HotNewHipHop. Beginning his tenure at HotNewHipHop in July 2017, he has comprehensively documented the biggest stories in the culture over the past few years. Throughout his time, Aron’s helped introduce a number of buzzing up-and-coming artists to our audience, identifying regional trends and highlighting hip-hop from across the globe. As a Canadian-based music journalist, he has also made a concerted effort to put spotlights on artists hailing from North of the border as part of Rise & Grind, the weekly interview series that he created and launched in 2021. Aron also broke a number of stories through his extensive interviews with beloved figures in the culture. These include industry vets (Quality Control co-founder Kevin "Coach K" Lee, Wayno Clark), definitive producers (DJ Paul, Hit-Boy, Zaytoven), cultural disruptors (Soulja Boy), lyrical heavyweights (Pusha T, Styles P, Danny Brown), cultural pioneers (Dapper Dan, Big Daddy Kane), and the next generation of stars (Lil Durk, Latto, Fivio Foreign, Denzel Curry). Aron also penned cover stories with the likes of Rick Ross, Central Cee, Moneybagg Yo, Vince Staples, and Bobby Shmurda.
...