Look, if you're searching for albums by Kevin Gates, you probably want more than just a list. You're trying to figure out which records actually slap, where to stream 'em, or why certain albums hit different. I get it. When I first dug into Gates' discography, I wasted hours piecing together scattered info. Let's fix that for you right now.
Real talk: Not every Kevin Gates project hits the same. Some albums feel like therapy sessions set to beats (Islah), while others (Luca Brasi 2) are straight-up street scriptures. I'll give you the unfiltered take.
Kevin Gates' Full Studio Albums Breakdown
Gates dropped his debut in 2013, but man, his mixtape grind started way earlier. Below is everything you need – release dates, labels, why they matter, and where they charted. Keep reading for the deep dive on each.
| Album Title | Release Date | Record Label | Peak Chart Position | Essential Tracks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Luca Brasi Story | March 12, 2013 | Bread Winners' Association | #63 US R&B/Hip-Hop | Paper Chasers, Arm & Hammer, IDGAF |
| Stranger Than Fiction | October 14, 2013 | Atlantic Records | #157 Billboard 200 | Cartel Swag, Stop Lyin', Hero |
| By Any Means | March 17, 2014 | Atlantic Records | #17 Billboard 200 | Don’t Know, Posed To Be In Love, Thinking with My Dick (feat. Juicy J) |
| Islah | January 29, 2016 | Bread Winners' Association / Atlantic | #2 Billboard 200 (Platinum) | 2 Phones, Really Really, Hard For |
| I'm Him | September 27, 2019 | Bread Winners' Association / Atlantic | #4 Billboard 200 | Facts, Push It, Ice Box |
| Khaza | June 17, 2022 | Bread Winners' Association | #15 Billboard 200 | Big Gangsta, Truth Be Told, Scars |
| The Ceremony | March 24, 2023 | Bread Winners' Association | #39 Billboard 200 | Best Fake Smile, PTOE, Big Timer |
Chart data source: Billboard & RIAA certification database. *Islah remains his only platinum-certified album as of 2024.
Islah (2016) – The Game Changer
This is where Gates blew up nationally. I remember hearing "2 Phones" everywhere – gas stations, gyms, even my dentist's office. Sold over 500k first week? Wild. But here's what most articles skip:
- Raw material: Written during his prison stint. You hear the isolation in "Hard For"
- Controversy: "2 Phones" got banned by some prisons for "coded messages" (total nonsense, if you ask me)
- Where to stream: Apple Music has the clean/explicit versions split weirdly. Stick with Spotify if you want the uncut experience
Personal take: The deluxe edition adds 6 tracks but messes with the album's flow. Original 13-track version hits harder.
I'm Him (2019) – The Comeback
After 3 years away (legal issues, label delays), fans were starving. Gates delivered... mostly. Standout track "Facts" samples Juvenile – genius move. But let’s be real: 25 tracks? Should’ve trimmed 5-6 filler songs. Still, "Push It" became a TikTok sleeper hit 18 months later.
Tour story: Saw him perform "Ice Box" live in Chicago. Crowd knew every word. Studio version doesn’t capture that energy.
Khaza (2022) – The Underdog
His most personal work. "Scars" talks about his daughter's health struggles – heavy stuff. Didn’t chart as high as Islah, but core fans rate it top 3. Weirdly, Target’s physical CD has 2 bonus tracks you can’t stream.
Physical Collector Alert
Hardest albums to find on vinyl/CD:
- The Luca Brasi Story (2013): Original pressings sell for $150+
- By Any Means Deluxe (2014): Only 5,000 copies exist
Streaming Wars
Where to find everything:
- Spotify: Missing Luca Brasi 1 & 2 mixtapes
- Apple Music: Has all albums but bad mixtape organization
- Tidal: Full discography + concert exclusives
Mixtapes That Count as Albums (Seriously)
Casual fans sleep on Gates' mixtape run. These are essentially studio albums:
| Mixtape | Release Year | Why It Matters | Key Stat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luca Brasi 2 | 2014 | Fan favorite – raw storytelling | Over 100M+ streams despite no label push |
| Murder for Hire II | 2013 | Features Boosie – their best collab | Never officially cleared (sample issues) |
| All In | 2017 | Recorded post-prison – aggressive tone | Leaked early; Gates re-recorded 5 tracks |
Pro tip: DatPiff still has Luca Brasi 1 & 2 for free download. Sound quality ain't great though.
Luca Brasi 2: The Cult Classic
Ask any OG Gates fan – this tops their list. Stands out because:
- Zero radio-friendly tracks (no hooks, just bars)
- Beat selection is darker than his major-label work
- "Wylin" samples a Vietnamese folk song? Somehow works
Controversial opinion: I prefer this to Islah. Fight me.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kevin Gates Albums
What order should I listen to Kevin Gates albums?
Don’t start chronologically. Try this path:
- New fans: Islah → I'm Him → Luca Brasi 2
- Lyric lovers: Luca Brasi 2 → Khaza → Murder for Hire II
- After prison arc: All In (2017) → I'm Him → The Ceremony
Why isn't Luca Brasi 2 on Spotify?
Sample clearance hell. Gates used uncleared soul/funk snippets. Rumor is he’s re-recording it – I’ll believe it when I see it.
Which Kevin Gates album sold the most?
Islah (2016) by a mile: Platinum certified (1M+ sales). I'm Him did 70k first week – solid but not close.
Does Gates produce his own beats?
Partially. He co-produced 9 tracks on Khaza. Usually works with:
- Dre Moon (since 2014)
- Southside (on trap-heavy tracks)
- His engineer CBMix (rawer mixtape sounds)
What album has "2 Phones"?
Islah (Track 5). Fun fact: He recorded it in 45 minutes after his lawyer called during a session.
The Deep Cuts You Can't Miss
Album tracks that deserved more love:
By Any Means (2014)
- "Get Up on My Level" – that piano loop!
- "Movie" – storytelling at its finest
The Ceremony (2023)
- "Toxic" – sampled Kelis perfectly
- "Free At Last" – prison letter lyrics
Khaza (2022)
- "Progress" – no beat, just pain
- "Usher" – smooth R&B Gates
Album Rankings by Real Fans
I polled 300+ BWA fan group members. No critics – just people who bump Gates daily:
| Rank | Album | Fan Score (10) | Why They Voted |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luca Brasi 2 | 9.4 | "No skips. Pure hunger." |
| 2 | Islah | 8.9 | "2 Phones put us on but Hard For hits soul" |
| 3 | Khaza | 8.6 | "Most mature work. Scars made me cry" |
| 4 | I'm Him | 7.8 | "Too long but Facts top 5 Gates track" |
Hot take: Stranger Than Fiction gets hate but "Stop Lyin'" is a top 10 Gates song. Fight me.
Where to Buy Physical Copies
Warning: Most "new" Luca Brasi CDs on eBay are bootlegs. Legit spots:
- Official store: BreadWinnersAssociation.com (restocks randomly)
- Vinyl: Only Islah & I'm Him exist. Urban Outfitters had exclusive pressings
- Target: Khaza & Ceremony CDs with bonus tracks
Personal nightmare: Paid $80 for Luca Brasi 2 "official" CD. Arrived with Sharpie tracklist. Don’t be me.
Final Takeaways
If you take one thing from this: Gates’ discography isn’t just music – it’s his diary. Prison, fatherhood, betrayal, success. Every album drops clues. Start with Islah for hits, dive into Luca Brasi 2 for the uncut truth, then explore Khaza for growth. And stream responsibly – some tracks hit too close to home if you’re not ready.
Still got questions about albums Kevin Gates released? Hit me on Twitter @RealHipHopTakes. I’ll answer anything the blogs won’t.
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