A photo posted by Kevin Gates (@iamkevingates) on Aug 20, 2015 at 5:24am PDT
Kevin Gates is currently experiencing a fall from grace, as well as charges of battery, after a video surfaced of him aggressively kicking a female fan in the chest at a show in Lakeland, Florida. As the incident has gone public, Gates has quickly dropped "The Truth," on which he intends to set the record straight. A past felon, Gates also uses the new track to voice his fears about possibly returning to prison.
Miranda Dixon, the 18-year-old whom Gates forcefully kicked, has since spoken out on the assault, which apparently sent her to the E.R. on Tuesday (Sept. 1), Lakeland police confirmed that Gates will be charged with simple battery, which, due to his past record, could send the Baton Rouge rapper back to prison.
Gates begins “The Truth” by immediately addressing the situation, as he speaks, “I don’t mind going through the struggle. This just another one, ya heard me?” When the music starts, he continues, “I will not be disrespected, n*gga or b*tch.” Throughout the track, Gates exercises self-criticism and shows fear for the consequences of his actions.
"Man in the mirror, you way out of order / Go to jail, who gon' look out for your daughter? / All on the news 'bout what happened in Florida / Posted on WorldStar, an iPhone recorded / She grabbed my d*ck, overreacted, I'm sorry / Two or three times I had already warned her," he raps.
Though he also addresses his victim, saying she's guilty of disrespecting him as well as herself. "You should have respect for yourself / You a queen and wasn't respecting yourself / Ever been disrespected, you know how it felt / You don't have to like me, go love someone else," he spits.
In March, Gates was involved in an altercation with two women at a concert in Flint, Michigan. Though that video footage doesn't show indisputable physical contact, it's still troubling to see Gates' aggression directed at the female concertgoers. Gates has also referenced urges toward domestic violence on past tracks, though he has been known to relay the narratives of many different (violent) characters through his music.
"The Truth" is a reflection of how Gates' upbringing has made him an unlikely star who's vulnerable to a hostile public image as well as a fleeting rap career, with prior convictions always looming around the corner. As long as he's here, though, he'll keep things 100 percent honest.
