May 18, 2016

Full List​

10. Get Up On My Level



The closing track to Gates' mixtape, By Any Means. Although the hook has a gloating sense to it, Gates can't help but show a level of modesty in his verses. The high point of the track has to be the third verse. It's filled with disappointment towards his old record label and he addresses issues he has had with local rappers, "Came out of prison pursuing my dream now everybody mad at me/I ain't never try to diss y'all/All I ever did was tell the truth/Pray every one of y'all artists make it." Gates also raps, "Want every n----- that rap, from Louisiana to make it," as he sees that people think there can only be one mainstream artist from Louisiana but he does not want to be the only one to hold that title.

This was a great track to close the tape as Gates puts his heart on his sleeve once again and continues to engage us.

9. I Don't Know What to Call It



This is one of Kevin's most introspective tracks to date. He sounds depressed all while rapping about the things he could not do before but now can do thanks to his newly gained success. Gates claims that there is more to him then most people see but does not show it due to his introverted personality, "Introverts can't be too talkative/Now as my heart place all of it/Usually I wear frowns/Ain't no sense in my straight pretending/In a room full of people, I pays attention."

There is not much that needs to be explained about this song as Gates lays it all out on the table himself. From the melodic hook to the sound of his voice during his verses as if he has had strep throat as if he is tired and about to give up, it's great all around.

8. Annie



Probably the least heard song out of all the tracks that will be in this list. The first time I heard this, I fell in love with the hook. Annie is somewhat reminiscent of I Don't Know What to Call It in terms of content. You get a look into Gates' world and his up bringing.

7. Weight



6. 4:30 AM



Kevin's story of betrayal and romance. The aftermath of a stabbing from someone who he thought was his friend, "Puking all of my insides, stab wounds from a old friend/Well at that time we were close friends, they say I killed him in cold blood."

The 2nd verse has Kevin going through girls names like Ludacris went through zip codes. From the name of the girl him and his friend were f---ing, to the name of his friends girl he was f---ing behind the scenes. In typical Kevin Gates fashion, he has no remorse, "No regrets for the s--- I did/That also mean for the n----s I killed."

5. Wish I Had It



This track has one of Gates' best hooks ever. This could probably be argued for the number one spot as well. Two time convicted felon, dumb s---, get at me.

4. The Truth



This track would have never happened had he not kicked a girl in the face at one of his concerts. @Charlie said it back when ISLAH dropped and I can't argue against it, The Truth is one of Gates best songs ever.

Brasi turn back into Kevin sometimes

3. Pride



This is without a doubt one of the best tracks on ISLAH. The hook is mesmerizing and one of the best things that Kevin has done. We get glimpse of his relationship issues and commitment problems.

2. Neon Lights



Face down I'm a gangsta, my heart colder than Chicago.

This is the first Gates track I heard a few years back and it instantly made me a fan. Neon Lights entails of Gates' best rapping yet.

1. IDGAF



This is one of Gates' personal songs. There is even a video of him crying while performing IDGAF live. The song details his struggle and a little bit of where he is currently at in life.

Gates makes it apparent that he is on edge and ready to go while rapping, "God forgive me next n----- play with me I'll probably k--- they mother," and "p---- rapper talking s--- on twitter but out in public it's nothing."

IDGAF has been my favorite Gates track from day one. He's at his most personal and sincere all while still being as aggressive as ever. He doesn't give a f--- what you think because you don't know what he has had to go through or what he has done.

Honorable Mentions

Perfect Imperfection
Roaming Around
Angels
Satellites
Not The Only One
​

 

May 18, 2016

10. Get Up On My Level



The closing track to Gates' mixtape, By Any Means. Although the hook has a gloating sense to it, Gates can't help but show a level of modesty in his verses. The high point of the track has to be the third verse. It's filled with disappointment towards his old record label and he addresses issues he has had with local rappers, "Came out of prison pursuing my dream now everybody mad at me/I ain't never try to diss y'all/All I ever did was tell the truth/Pray every one of y'all artists make it." Gates also raps, "Want every n----- that rap, from Louisiana to make it," as he sees that people think there can only be one mainstream artist from Louisiana but he does not want to be the only one to hold that title.

This was a great track to close the tape as Gates puts his heart on his sleeve once again and continues to engage us.

@GateSXN

 

May 20, 2016

8. Annie



Probably the least heard song out of all the tracks that will be in this list. The first time I heard this, I fell in love with the hook. Annie is somewhat reminiscent of I Don't Know What to Call It in terms of content. You get a look into Gates' world and his up bringing.

@GateSXN

 

May 26, 2016

5. Wish I Had It



This track has one of Gates' best hooks ever. This could probably be argued for the number one spot as well. Two time convicted felon, dumb s---, get at me.

@GateSXN

 

May 30, 2016

1. IDGAF



This is one of Gates' personal songs. There is even a video of him crying while performing IDGAF live. The song details his struggle and a little bit of where he is currently at in life.

Gates makes it apparent that he is on edge and ready to go while rapping, "God forgive me next n----- play with me I'll probably k--- they mother," and "p---- rapper talking s--- on twitter but out in public it's nothing."

IDGAF has been my favorite Gates track from day one. He's at his most personal and sincere all while still being as aggressive as ever. He doesn't give a f--- what you think because you don't know what he has had to go through or what he has done.

@GateSXN

 

May 20, 2016

9. I Don't Know What to Call It



This is one of Kevin's most introspective tracks to date. He sounds depressed all while rapping about the things he could not do before but now can do thanks to his newly gained success. Gates claims that there is more to him then most people see but does not show it due to his introverted personality, "Introverts can't be too talkative/Now as my heart place all of it/Usually I wear frowns/Ain't no sense in my straight pretending/In a room full of people, I pays attention."

There is not much that needs to be explained about this song as Gates lays it all out on the table himself. From the melodic hook to the sound of his voice during his verses as if he has had strep throat as if he is tired and about to give up, it's great all around.

@GateSXN

Take a guess at #8!

 

May 29, 2016

3. Pride



This is without a doubt one of the best tracks on ISLAH. The hook is mesmerizing and one of the best things that Kevin has done. We get glimpse of his relationship issues and commitment problems.

@GateSXN

When you're alone at night and need somebody by your side
No matter wrong or right sayin' it's gonna be alright
No one'll hold you tight, no one'll look you in your eyes
As if it ain't okay to cry, try to be the tough guy
Think about you all the time, start to feel it backfire
No one love you like I, hope our love ain't expire
Tryna figure out why, dyin' on the inside
One day I'll get over my pride

 

May 22, 2016

6. 4:30 AM



Kevin's story of betrayal and romance. The aftermath of a stabbing from someone who he thought was his friend, "Puking all of my insides, stab wounds from a old friend/Well at that time we were close friends, they say I killed him in cold blood."

The 2nd verse has Kevin going through girls names like Ludacris went through zip codes. From the name of the girl him and his friend were f---ing, to the name of his friends girl he was f---ing behind the scenes. In typical Kevin Gates fashion, he has no remorse, "No regrets for the s--- I did/That also mean for the n----s I killed."

@GateSXN

 

May 30, 2016

2. Neon Lights



Face down I'm a gangsta, my heart colder than Chicago.

This is the first Gates track I heard a few years back and it instantly made me a fan. Neon Lights entails of Gates' best rapping yet.

@GateSXN

 

May 22, 2016

7. Weight



@GateSXN

 

May 18, 2016

That's gonna be the hardest top 10 list to do

 

May 26, 2016

4. The Truth



This track would have never happened had he not kicked a girl in the face at one of his concerts. @Charlie said it back when ISLAH dropped and I can't argue against it, The Truth is one of Gates best songs ever.

Brasi turn back into Kevin sometimes

@GateSXN

 

May 20, 2016

one of gates most emotionally powerful song, respected pick

 

May 22, 2016

Good s--- fam, I'm loving this list so far. I dunno what his top ten would be, every damm song I've heard from him could be a contender.

 

May 20, 2016

Top five on STF imo.

 

May 18, 2016

IN

 

May 18, 2016

Goin' hard for em in the paint, never had a real family
That n-----, I call daddy
I never had a real daddy

 

May 29, 2016

Better than Drake

 

May 29, 2016

Pride is rly the ultimate simp song

 

May 26, 2016

OUT MY WIN-DOHHHHHHHH