From Pain to Peace: Kevin Gates Reflects on His Relationship With His Mom
Kevin Gates has become a mama’s boy after years of a strained relationship with his mom. These days, he gushes over her during phone calls, and it’s pretty relatable.
By D.M.March 24 2025, Published 5:29 p.m. ET
The Breakdown: Kevin Gates loves his mama and makes no secret of it. The rapper, known for speaking too candidly on nearly every topic, takes on a surprisingly tender tone when talking to his mom — and the change in his voice is shocking.
Unfiltered rapper Kevin Gates is not as explicit when discussing his mom and other family members. In an interview with Hustlers N The Hood, the Louisiana native shed light on his relationship with his mother, offering advice to fans who may have a complicated family dynamic.
“If you don’t have a good relationship with your mother, you should try to fix it. Because at the end of the day she gave us life. All great men came through the womb of a woman,” he said. Adding, “I told my momma, [I] said ‘I'm grateful for you.’ And I noticed when I went back and started my healing journey, and I forgave my mama for a lot of stuff.”
Kevin revealed that his mother was only 14 years old when she gave birth to him. This early start to motherhood presented its own set of challenges, but the “Cartel Swag” rapper holds no resentment. He acknowledges that she did the best she could under the circumstances. Let’s meet Kevin’s mom, and breakdown some of the heartfelt – and eyebrow raising – things he has said about her over the years.
Who is Kevin Gates' mom? Details on their once-strained relationship.
During an interview on Bobbi Altoff’s The Really Good Podcast, Kevin surprised many by calling his mother mid-conversation. The Baton-Rouge-bred MC called his mom to her let know that he would be late to a scheduled dinner. But fans, and Bobbi, couldn’t help but notice the gentle tone the rapper used when speaking with Mama Gates. The spontaneous act showcased a tender side of Kevin, who is sometimes explicit and brash.
During the call, Kevin Gates’ mother said it would be “very late” for him to stop by. He explained that his day was running behind because an earlier meeting went long. He then shifted to a calmer tone and replied, “I’m gonna come tonight. OK, I love you. Bye.”
Kevin went on to explain that his mother did not want to be in the spotlight and preferred to maintain her privacy. However, he made another interesting remark about Mama Gates.
“She's super young, like she looks like she is 17 right now,” Kevin said. “My mom is super young. I have like professional baseball players that be asking like, ‘Is it cool if I date your mom? I didn't know that was your mom. I won't say anything publicly.’”
Here's what we know about Kevin Gates' dad and ethnicity.
Kevin has always been open about his diverse heritage. His mother is of Puerto Rican descent, while his father is African American. Gates' relationship with his father was complex and had a profound impact on his life. He lost contact with his father at a young age but reconnected during his teenage years. Kevin revealed during an interview with VladTV, that his father passed away from complications related to AIDS when Gates was just 14 years old.
