In an industry fraught with those seeking the thrill and chaos of the fast life, Kevin Gates and his wife, Dreka, are the definition of a ride-or-die couple. The Baton Rouge natives met as teenagers in the mid-2000s, when Louisiana’s hip-hop scene was thriving (think: Lil Wayne and Boosie Badazz in their full glory), and rapping was merely an intermittent pastime for Gates. When 22-year old Gates confessed to Dreka in 2010 that he wanted to pursue a career in rap, Dreka promptly appointed herself Gates’ promoter, booker, and one-man record label, working tirelessly to get his music heard by the rest of the world. Her relentless efforts, in combination with Gates’ honest lyrics and musical prowess, worked— within a few years, Gates was a household name among hip-hop fans.
Gates has since released two studio albums, three EP’s, 16 mixtapes, and co-founded his record label, Bread Winners’ Association, with Dreka, his right-hand woman. The highschool sweethearts officially tied the knot in 2015, and are now the parents of two children: seven-year-old Islah, and six-year-old Khaza. Needless to say, the family is a unit— one that has remained solid regardless of what obstacles life has thrown their way, including a 30-month prison stint Kevin was sentenced to after being convicted on gun charges in 2017.
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In honor of the couple’s everlasting love, we have put together an Instagram Gallery documenting their family’s best moments.
To read more on Dreka, check out our exclusive interview with her where she discusses her role in Gates' career and more.
