Known for a brand of confessional, storytelling rap showcased on his debut album Islah, but seldom seen elsewhere on the current landscape, Kevin Gates' absence has been noticeable over the last few months. Since October 2016, he's been serving out a 180 day jail sentence for battery, and was remanded on a weapons-related warrant on the day of his scheduled release.Today, however, Gates' silence has ended, as he shares his first new track since being imprisoned. "What If" is a reflective affair set against a slowed-down trap beat, featuring signature disarmingly honest and inward looking bars, which reference his time spent incarcerated ("I done been to hell and back / 'cause I done been to jail and back").Gates' wife Dreka shared a message with fans to discuss the track's release via Instagram. She writes "You all KNOW that Kevin and I have always preferred to avoid statements to the media. We speak directly to you guys and prefer to let the music speak for itself. Although Kevin is not a free man yet, he will be soon! In the meantime, I am SO excited to share this song from HIM to you all!" Hopefully it's a sign of things to come from Gates upon his eventual release.Read Dreka's full statement and hear the track below:
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