Kevin Gates – The Ceremony (Album Review)

Kevin Gates stays true to himself in “The Ceremony.”


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TOP 5

5. It Won’t Happen

When Kevin Gates raps like the rent is due, he’s definitely a top 10 rapper in the game.

If you care about Kevin Gates’ life or how much he has grown as a person, you’ll probably rock with this song a lot. In it, he speaks on the love he has for certain people (even if they don’t love him back), his devotion to his newfound Muslim faith, and the respect he doesn’t get. If you don’t care about Gates’ life, you at least have to admire how he aggressively and hungrily lays his raps down over the emotional beat.

4. Do It Again

In “Do It Again,” Kevin Gates speaks on his resilient ways, reminding us that he has turned every losing situation into a winning one.

The initial element that grabs my attention in “Do It Again” is the hook that Kevin Gates lays down – it’s catchy, gritty, and sets the tone. Regarding the beat, it matches Kevin Gates’ ferocious and gritty deliveries throughout. Overall, I think this is a track that moves the needle when it comes to tough-ass, motivational trap records.

3. God Slippers

Let’s keep it real: “God Slippers” is a fantastic title for a song.

I really enjoy “God Slippers.” In the song, which is driven by a booming, almost spiritual-sounding beat, Gates discusses the miracles he’s performed, the hard work he’s invested in, and the tough times he’s had to overcome. What’s intriguing is that Gates sounds somewhat unenergetic and perturbed on the track. He’s probably frustrated that some people don’t believe he can walk on water (Honestly, I’m still skeptical that he started a car battery with his own hands).

One thing that I don’t want you to overlook is how Gates breezes through this song. I love how consistent his flows are.

2. Yonce Freestyle (Ft. Sexyy Red & B.G.)

Putting two of the freakiest people on earth on the same song has to be illegal in some states.

When I think of the term ‘doing too much,’ two people come to my mind: Sexyy Red and Kevin Gates. Gates and Red haven’t committed any crimes these past few years, but they have made listeners feel like their ears need a shower. For “Yonce Freestyle,” the two unite, creating what I think is a certified club banger.

Do you know what’s funny? I don’t think this song is that wild. In most of Kevin Gates’ raps, he talks about being a big dog, going to Beyoncé concerts, and doing traditional sex positions. Towards the end of his lone verse, he starts to go ham. Even Sexyy Red keeps it chill. She mentions her ass being fat and being on percs, but there aren’t many lyrics about getting flipped like drug money or pink things. It’s BG that goes off the most. He sounds the thirstiest and ready to take something down.

Stylistically, everyone met the assignment here. I love how Kevin approaches the song, which is powered by the definition of a Southern party beat, with a chill demeanor. Sexyy Red comes with the lowkey ratchet energy, and BG brings that Hot Boys and Hot Girls energy to his verse. This is a well-put-together club banger!

Gates used Sexyy Red way better than Drake did…

1. Protect Children

Wow, who knew Kevin Gates had some Smokey The Bear in him?

“Protect Children” is an outstanding song in which Kevin Gates emphasizes the significance of safeguarding not only our own family but also the children of our friends. He also delves into his own youth, reflecting on the violence and challenges he faced in the past. Personally, I appreciate the serious and focused tone that Gates maintains throughout the song, especially when you consider how dramatic and hypnotizing the song’s beat sounds.

See, “The Man” wants you to like useless club bangers like “Eater” and “Yonce Freestyle,” while ignoring meaningful records like “Protect Children.” Don’t worry, I’ve got your back; I won’t let you fall for that nonsense.


SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN

1. Ceremony (3/5)

2. Birds Calling (3/5)

3. Lil Yea (3.5/5)

4. Yonce Freestyle (Ft. Sexyy Red & B.G.) (4.5/5)

5. Eater (4/5)

6. Speed Dial (3.5/5)

7. God Slippers (4.5/5)

8. It Won’t Happen (4/5)

9. Healing (3/5)

10. Letter 2 My Fans (4/5)

11. Protect Children (4.5/5)

12. Heal You (3.5/5)

13. Walmart (4/5)

14. Do It Again (4/5)

15. RUMORS (3.5/5)

16. I Don’t Apologize (3.5/5)

17. Broken Men (3.5/5)


OVERALL RATING

(C+)

Kevin Gates has always been a very interesting rapper to me. After listening to him for over ten years, I have always found it difficult to identify what kind of music I like hearing him make the most. After listening to The Ceremony, I’m still undecided. The album features some pretty solid club bangers, such as “Eater” and “Yonce Freestyle,” some pretty solid lyrical bangers, such as “RUMORS” and “God Slippers,” and some pretty solid emotional trap bangers, such as “Letter 2 My Fans” and “Do It Again.” Each style of song complements one another well and features tons of passion from the Louisiana native.

Kevin Gates is one of the only rappers in the game that never gets punked by a beat. Although The Ceremony boasts high-octane trap beats, Gates stands on top of every single one of them, dropping everything from passionate vocal performances to hella gritty bars. One thing about the production that I don’t love is this: I hate that a few songs on the album sound low quality.

I usually reserve the third paragraph of my conclusions to talk about the guests on an album, but Gates only has one song with features: “Yonce Freestyle” (Which features Sexyy Red and B.G.). Can we please applaud the artists that do full albums mainly by their lonesome? That s**t is so impressive.

Kevin Gates is the most electrifying rapper in the game. There isn’t a single song of his that sounds dull or undramatic. Even when he tries to sound subdued, like he does in “God Slippers,” his words still knock you on your ass. While there are some things that I don’t love about The Ceremony, such as the audio quality on a bunch of songs and the songs in which Gates gets hella descriptive about his sex life (Seriously, who the f**k wants to hear a dude talk about eating groceries?), I do think it features powerful words, melodies, and raps that are so worth listening to.


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This Post Has One Comment

  1. Reddy

    The intro should be #1 in the top 5 and Yonce should be given a 1/5, but otherwise solid review

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