JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Kevin Gilyard, better known by his stage name Kevin Gates, recently headlined the MLK Celebration concert at Jacksonville’s VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in January, marking one of the first concerts of 2025 at the venue.
Before taking the stage, Gates reflected on his journey and the significance of performing in Duval County with News4JAX.
“[Jacksonville] is where we started at. Arkansas was the first people to pay me five grand for a show. We left Arkansas and came straight to Duval,” he said, acknowledging the role of Jacksonville DJ and manager Bigga Rankin in bringing him to the area.
Gates first started rapping in 2007 making music with fellow Louisiana natives like Webbie and Lil Boosie and started getting attention with his 2008 single “Get in the Way.” He’s gone on to have other hits like “2 Phones” and “Really Really.”
Gates is known for his advocacy for mental health and efforts to combat bullying.
“I am the message that I bring. It’s metaphysical with me and metaphysical means all,” he said.
“It’s not what you put on the external, it’s what you put on the internal...Sometimes we deal with insecurities. We deal with not knowing if we doing good enough, but when people come out and see me and tell me ‘Hey listen, you inspire me you change my life’ that let me know that I’m on the right path,” Gates said. “I’m fulfilling my purpose.”
Outside of music, Gates is venturing into the coffee business with his brand, A Coffee Called Folks.
“I’m a coffee connoisseur. I gotta do something that’s true to me. I can’t be serving tequila,” he said.
When asked what message he has for his fans, Gates expressed his appreciation.
“I love y’all. Thank y’all for believing in me more than I believe in myself sometimes because like I say like at the end of the day we human,” he said.