KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — To many rap music fans, Kevin Gates is known as a performer. But away from the stage, Gates, like many others across the country, struggles with mental health issues. For Gates, music is just one of his ways to reground himself.
“Music is a healing release. It’s one of the most beautiful things,” Kevin Gates said. “Fitness is what keeps me cognitively active and raises my frequency. Through fitness, I battle suicidal thoughts, depression, bullying, etc.”
DJ BWA Ron has been working with Gates since high school. He said the changes from then to now are not surprising.
“It’s beautiful. I’ve been with him almost from the beginning and just watched him grow,” BWA Ron said. “A lot of sacrifices have been made over the years. It hasn’t always been that way, but I feel like we’re just getting started.”
Gates’ fan base has grown over the years. He tries to live his life according to his one main philosophy.
“Even if it’s 10 people, we’re going to give it our all. I live by the philosophy, ‘The way you do something is the way you do everything,'” Gates said. “Be careful what we think. Thoughts become words, words become actions, and actions become habits.”
Gates wants people to understand that sometimes fast doesn’t always last, and to enjoy life at a slower pace.
On Friday, Gates stopped in Knoxville to perform as part of “The Ceremony Tour.” He told 6 News before the show that although he was nervous, Knoxville was one of his favorite cities to perform.
Earlier this year, Gates released the 17-track album The Ceremony, which is his first studio release since 2022’s Casa, according to the album description on Apple Music.
