This archive report was first published on 5 September 2019.
At 2 a.m., rapper Kevin Gates begins his day with weight training, core work, and meditation. This newfound discipline has become a cornerstone of his life, influencing everything from his diet to his mental well-being.
His love for yoga, which he credits to his cellmate, has become an integral part of his routine. Gates also follows a fruit-filled diet, consuming limes and mangoes for their health benefits and other reasons. In a candid moment, he shares his technique for eating mangoes, saying, 'I practice eating pussy. What you want to do is see if you can pull the microfibers out with just your teeth. You wanna tease. And if you can 'tease a peach,' you can give a woman pleasure.'
Published on September 5, 2019, Gates' openness about his body and personal anxieties is a testament to his growth and self-awareness. He attributes his early wake-up call to his desire to build confidence and overcome his past struggles.
After a series of mixtapes, Gates released his debut studio album, Islah, in 2016, which reached Number Two on the Billboard Hot 100. However, he acknowledges that his critical success was not without its challenges. In a YouTube interview, Gates stated that the gun possession charge that led to his nine-month prison sentence was false, but he pleaded guilty to avoid lengthy legal battles.
His recent single, 'Push It,' is a reflection of his journey towards self-betterment. Gates says, 'My biggest problem in life was overcoming myself. Once I defeated myself, the only thing left was peace.'
Since 2015, Gates has become more disciplined with his diet, slimming down to a more muscled frame. He credits his practice of Islam for his decision to eat only one meal a day, which he believes helps him in creative ways. Gates says, 'Because I'm an artist, I can't go into the studio on a full stomach. I like to be hungry. I like the music to reflect my hunger.'
On his journey to self-betterment, Gates has also confronted his body dysmorphia, admitting that it has affected him. However, he chooses to focus on his hard work and progress, saying, 'The beautiful thing about having body dysmorphia is that you can never see yourself as perfect. I don’t allow myself to get depressed about that. I just work hard.'
