New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Bread Winners Association recording artist
Kevin Gates is set to kick off his much anticipated "Islah Tour (Part 1)" tonight in Jacksonville, FL. The first phase of Gates' nationwide headlining tour will travel the U.S. through mid-December (see below itinerary). For full details, including updated ticket availability, please visit www.kvngates.com/tour.
The tour heralds the upcoming release of Gates' massively anticipated debut album, "ISLAH," (pronounced EES-lah) now slated for release on January 29th, 2016.
"ISLAH means to reform, to improve, to make better; and I believe that's what my first daughter did to me. So I named my first album after my first daughter; because it improved me, it made me better." --
Kevin Gates
"ISLAH" is currently available for pre-order, accompanied by instant grat downloads of "La Familia," "The Truth," "Really Really," and the just unveiled "2 Phones." In addition, a number of deluxe bundles - featuring such limited extras as a "
Loaded" black cotton pullover hoodie, and gold "ISLAH" dog tags - are on offer exclusively at the official
Kevin Gates Warner
Music Group store.
What's more, limited Ticketless VIP upgrades are still available for the "Islah Tour (Part 1)," with a number of extras available to fans that have already purchased tickets through the general on sale. Priced at $39.99, the "Really Really Get with
Kevin Gates Ticketless VIP Meet & Greet Package" includes early venue entry, a drawstring backpack, BWA photo book, bandana, commemorative VIP laminate and best of all, a pre-show photo opportunity and hang with Gates. For details and availability, please see the
Kevin Gates Ticketless VIP event home.
Gates -- who only recently wrapped the sold out second leg of his massively successful "I Don't Get Tired (#IDGT) Tour" -- is of course featured alongside Juicy J, Sage the Gemini and
Future on "Payback," one of the many hip hop highlights found on "FURIOUS 7: ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK," Atlantic Records' chart-topping musical companion to Universal's blockbuster action-thriller. The album debuted at #1 on the SoundScan/Billboard 200 upon its April release, while also triumphing around the globe with gold certified sales in Australia, Hungary, Japan, and the United Kingdom.
At the close of 2014, Gates released the follow-up to his debut mixtape, "LUCA BRASI 2: A GANGSTA GRILLZ SPECIAL EDITION MIXTAPE." The collection -- which marked the latest installment of DJ Drama's widely respected "GANGSTA GRILLZ" series -- includes the phenomenal anthem, "I Don't Get Tired (#IDGT) (Feat. August Alsina)," which caused a social media commotion upon its release. Gates' use of the phrase, "I Don't Get Tired" and the #IDGT hashtag -- which represent his relentless hardworking approach to life -- was used well over a million times on Instagram alone, with countless placements on other social media platforms.
Named as one of XXL Magazine's "XXL Freshmen 2014,"
Kevin Gates first broke out with 2013's masterful mixtape, "THE LUCA BRASI STORY." The set earned the Baton Rouge-based MC both popular success and widespread critical acclaim for his extraordinary emotional power and melodic invention, ultimately leading to a new partnership between Atlantic Records and his own
Bread Winners' Association. In addition, "THE LUCA BRASI STORY" was named by Rolling Stone as one of the "20 Best Hip Hop Albums of 2013."
"BY ANY MEANS" arrived in March 2014 and immediately affirmed Gates as a major force in hip-hop. The mixtape landed at # 3 on Billboard's "Top Rap Albums" chart at #17 on the overall SoundScan/Billboard 200, with sales nearly doubling his previous first week sales record.
What's more, "BY ANY MEANS" quickly proved itself to be among the most acclaimed hip-hop releases of 2014. "Easily the most complex, confounding, and fascinating gangster rap record of the year so far," declared Complex. "Breathtaking," agreed The Fader. "Lyrically dexterous in the manner of older Southern giants like Bun B and 8Ball," declared the New York Times, while Rolling Stone raved, "The 28-year-old Baton Rouge, Louisiana, artist raps, sings and harmonizes, often alternating between vocal modes within a verse, exuding a gritty earthiness that sets him apart from contemporary crooners like
Future and Rich Homie Quan." Pitchfork adds, "with 'BY ANY MEANS,' (Kevin Gates) completes a three-release run that's as solid as any in recent memory." Perhaps Vibe summed it up best: "If there's one rapper that more people need to be talking about, it's
Kevin Gates."
For more, please see www.kvngates.com, www.twitter.com/iamkevingates (@iamkevingates), instagram.com/iamkevingates (@iamkevingates), www.youtube.com/user/kevingatesTV, www.top40-charts.com and https://www.officialbwa.com.
KEVIN GATES - "ISLAH TOUR (PART 1)" 2015
NOVEMBER
13 - Jacksonville, FL - Mavericks
14 - Atlanta, GA - Tabernacle
15 - Nashville, TN - Marathon
Music Works
17 - Columbia, SC - Music Farm
18 - Raleigh, NC - Lincoln Theater
19 - Philadelphia, PA - TLA
20 - Boston, MA - Middle East
21 - New York, NY - Gramercy Theatre
22 - Washington, DC - The Fillmore
24 - Cleveland, OH - Agora
25 - Louisville, KY - Mercury Ballroom
27 - Detroit, MI - Majestic Theatre
28 - Chicago, IL - Bottom Lounge
29 - St. Louis, MO - Pop's
DECEMBER
01 - Tulsa, OK - Cain's
02 - Abilene, TX - Abilene Civic Center
03 - Dallas, TX - South Side
04 - Houston, TX - Warehouse Live
05 - San Antonio, TX - Alamo
06 - Austin, TX - Emo's
08 - Mobile, AL - Soul Kitchen.
