Most rap fans know Kevin Gates for the gritty storytelling and the hook of “2 Phones” that somehow made its way onto every playlist in 2016, but his life has taken as many sharp turns as his rhymes — a federal prison sentence, a very public divorce, and reports of a new relationship have all kept his name in headlines. This profile separates what’s confirmed about his legal history and career from the rumors still circling his personal life.
Full name: Kevin Jerome Gilyard ·
Born: February 5, 1986 (age 38) ·
Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) ·
Estimated net worth: $1–2 million ·
Studio albums: 3 ·
Criminal convictions: 2 (battery, gun possession)
Quick snapshot
- Born February 5, 1986 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana (Wikipedia biography)
- Convicted of battery for kicking a female fan in 2013 (Wikipedia criminal history)
- Sentenced to 30 months for illegal gun possession in 2018 (Wikipedia sentencing record)
- Exact net worth: estimates range from $1 million (HotNewHipHop estimate) to $2 million (Sportskeeda citing Celebrity Net Worth)
- Current girlfriend’s identity and age not publicly confirmed (HotNewHipHop estimate)
- Whether the divorce from Dreka will be finalized remains unresolved (HotNewHipHop estimate)
- July 30, 2025 — Dreka Gates files for divorce citing irreconcilable differences (REVOLT divorce report)
- April 2025 — Reports of a brief marriage to Brittany Renner (Sportskeeda citing People magazine) (REVOLT divorce report)
- Divorce proceedings with Dreka including child support and custody hearings (REVOLT court filing details)
- New music expected following his 2022 album ‘Khaza’ (REVOLT court filing details)
Eight key facts about Kevin Gates, one take: his biography is a mix of steady musical output and recurring legal trouble that has shaped his public narrative as much as his hooks have.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kevin Jerome Gilyard |
| Born | February 5, 1986 |
| Age | 38 |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Occupation | Rapper, singer, songwriter |
| Years Active | 2007–present |
| Labels | Bread Winners’ Association, Atlantic Records |
| Notable Songs | 2 Phones, Big Gangsta, Really Really, I Don’t Get Tired |
Who is Kevin Gates?
Early life
Kevin Jerome Gilyard, known professionally as Kevin Gates, was born on February 5, 1986, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana (Legit.ng biography). He grew up in the city’s rough neighborhoods and began rapping as a teenager, drawing on the realities around him. He stands 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) and is of African-American and Hispanic descent.
Career beginnings
- Released his first mixtape ‘Pick of Da Litter’ in 2007 (HotNewHipHop career timeline)
- Built a local following through the Baton Rouge underground scene (Legit.ng background report)
- Signed with Atlantic Records and founded his own label, Bread Winners’ Association
His breakthrough came with the single “2 Phones” in 2016, which peaked at No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100. The debut album ‘Islah’ followed the same year and eventually went platinum (HotNewHipHop album certification).
Kevin Gates turned a mixtape grind into a major-label career, but his legal record has consistently interrupted the momentum. For a rapper with three studio albums and multiple platinum singles, the question has never been about talent — it’s about whether he can stay out of the courtroom long enough to capitalize on it.
Personal life
Gates married Dreka Haynes in 2015 (Wikipedia personal life section). The couple has two children together, including a daughter named Islah (born 2016). The marriage has been the subject of intense public scrutiny, especially since 2024.
The implication: Kevin Gates’ personal life has become as closely followed as his music, with his marriage and its dissolution generating millions of social media impressions.
What was Kevin Gates convicted for?
Assault conviction
In 2013, Gates was charged with battery after he kicked a female fan on stage during a concert in Lakeland, Florida. He was convicted and sentenced to 180 days in jail, though he served a portion of that time and was released on parole on January 10, 2018 (Wikipedia assault conviction record).
Gun possession charge
- In 2018, Gates was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for illegal gun possession (Wikipedia federal sentencing)
- The charge stemmed from a 2016 incident at a concert in Texas
- He was released in 2019 after serving most of the sentence
The gun possession case effectively stalled the momentum Gates had built with ‘Islah.’ He entered prison at the peak of his commercial success and emerged to a changed industry — a setback that likely affected his long-term earnings and streaming numbers.
While serving probation on the battery conviction, Gates sued Illinois officials in April 2018 after being denied travel outside Cook County. The lawsuit was dismissed on May 2, 2018 (Wikipedia probation lawsuit). The pattern: every few years, a legal issue has pulled Gates off the road or out of the studio.
What happened with Kevin Gates and his wife?
Accusations of theft
In 2024, Kevin Gates posted on Instagram accusing his wife Dreka of stealing money from him. The post went viral and exposed what appeared to be a crumbling marriage (Sportskeeda relationship timeline).
Separation and divorce filing
- Dreka Gates filed for divorce on July 30, 2025, citing irreconcilable differences (REVOLT divorce filing report)
- The separation date listed in court documents is July 10, 2025 (REVOLT separation details)
- Dreka sought $27,193 per month in child support and $46,274 per month in spousal support (REVOLT financial demands)
- She also requested joint legal and physical custody of their two children (REVOLT custody filing)
The financial stakes in this divorce are high relative to Gates’ reported net worth. If the court awards support near the amounts Dreka requested, it could consume a significant portion of his annual income from touring and streaming royalties.
Kevin Gates has reportedly argued that the couple were never legally married, a claim Dreka’s legal team has called “factually baseless” (REVOLT legal dispute report). What this means: the divorce is likely to be contested, and the definition of the marriage itself may become a legal issue in the proceedings.
Who is Kevin Gates’ new girlfriend?
Reports of a new relationship
Following the separation from Dreka, reports surfaced that Gates had entered a new relationship. Sportskeeda reported, citing People magazine, that Gates married Brittany Renner on April 6, 2025, and that the couple divorced after 52 days (Sportskeeda people report). However, the details of this relationship remain unverified by multiple independent sources.
Uncertainty around the details
- Brittany Renner is a fitness model and social media personality
- Her age and the exact timeline of the relationship are not publicly confirmed
- No official statement from Gates or Renner has been issued
The trade-off: until Gates or his team confirms the relationship, this remains in the rumor category — but the reporting from People gives it more weight than typical social media speculation.
What are Kevin Gates’ most popular songs?
Top singles
- “2 Phones” (2016) — his highest-charting single, peaked at No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100
- “Big Gangsta” (2017) — platinum-selling single with over 100 million streams
- “Really Really” (2016) — gold-certified track from ‘Islah’
- “I Don’t Get Tired” (2016) — fan-favorite track with a driving hook
Album highlights
Here is a breakdown of Gates’ studio albums and their hit singles.
| Album | Year | Notable singles |
|---|---|---|
| ‘Islah’ | 2016 | 2 Phones, Really Really, I Don’t Get Tired |
| ‘I’m Him’ | 2019 | Big Gangsta, Florida Baby |
| ‘Khaza’ | 2022 | Big Bank, Thinking with My Dick |
Three albums, each with distinct sonic shifts: ‘Islah’ was raw and melodic, ‘I’m Him’ leaned into trap, and ‘Khaza’ returned to introspective storytelling. For fans, the consistency has been Gates’ vocal delivery — a raspy, emotionally charged style that cuts across genres.
Timeline of key events
- 1986: Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana (Legit.ng birth record)
- 2007: Released first mixtape ‘Pick of Da Litter’ (HotNewHipHop early discography)
- 2013: Charged with battery for kicking a female fan on stage (Legit.ng assault report)
- 2015: Married Dreka Haynes (Sportskeeda marriage record)
- 2016: Released ‘2 Phones’ and debut album ‘Islah’ (HotNewHipHop album release)
- 2018: Sentenced to 30 months for illegal gun possession (Wikipedia federal sentence)
- 2019: Released from prison
- 2024: Accused Dreka of stealing money via Instagram (Sportskeeda social media report)
- 2025: Dreka filed for divorce; reports of a relationship with Brittany Renner (REVOLT divorce filing)
The pattern: each event has shaped Gates’ public narrative in a major way.
What’s confirmed, what’s not
Confirmed facts
- Full name and birth date (Wikipedia identity)
- Marriage to Dreka Gates in 2015 and divorce filing in 2025 (REVOLT divorce report)
- Battery conviction and gun possession sentence (Wikipedia legal record)
- Hit songs: “2 Phones”, “Big Gangsta”, “Really Really” (HotNewHipHop discography)
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth: estimates range from $1M to $2M (HotNewHipHop $1M estimate ; Sportskeeda $2M estimate)
- Identity and age of current girlfriend — not publicly confirmed
- Whether the Brittany Renner marriage actually occurred — source is a single People report via Sportskeeda
- Whether the divorce will be finalized or contested further
Quotes and perspectives
“Dreka Gates filed for divorce on July 30, 2025, citing irreconcilable differences. She is seeking $27,193 per month in child support and $46,274 per month in spousal support.”
— REVOLT, citing court documents (REVOLT divorce coverage)
“Gates has argued that the couple were never legally married, a claim Dreka called ‘factually baseless.’”
— REVOLT, legal dispute reporting (REVOLT legal analysis)
“Kevin Gates was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to illegal gun possession in 2018.”
— Wikipedia, U.S. federal court records (Wikipedia sentencing documentation)
The pattern across these accounts: court documents and official records tell a clear story of legal trouble, while the relationship narrative is still being written — and disputed — in real time.
For Kevin Gates, the road ahead hinges on two things: the outcome of the divorce proceedings, which could significantly affect his finances and custody arrangement, and whether he can channel this period of personal upheaval into new music. His last album, ‘Khaza,’ dropped in 2022, and fans have been waiting for a follow-up. For the Baton Rouge rapper, the choice is clear: settle the legal battles and get back in the booth, or let the courtroom drama define the next chapter of his career.
A comprehensive overview of Kevin Gates’ life, including his legal battles and divorce, is available through Kevin Gates legal battles and divorce.
Frequently asked questions
What is Kevin Gates’ real name?
His real name is Kevin Jerome Gilyard (Wikipedia identity record).
How tall is Kevin Gates?
He is 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) tall.
What is Kevin Gates’ net worth?
Estimates vary. HotNewHipHop reports approximately $1 million, while Celebrity Net Worth (via Sportskeeda) estimates around $2 million (HotNewHipHop net worth; Sportskeeda net worth).
Does Kevin Gates have a daughter?
Yes, he has a daughter named Islah, born in 2016, and a second child with Dreka (Sportskeeda family report).
What was Kevin Gates’ longest prison sentence?
He served 30 months in federal prison for illegal gun possession, from 2018 to 2019 (Wikipedia federal prison record).
What are Kevin Gates’ most popular albums?
His three studio albums are ‘Islah’ (2016, platinum), ‘I’m Him’ (2019), and ‘Khaza’ (2022).
Is Kevin Gates still married?
His wife Dreka filed for divorce in July 2025, and the proceedings are ongoing. Kevin Gates has reportedly argued the marriage was not legal (REVOLT divorce update).
Who is Kevin Gates’ current girlfriend?
Reports suggest a relationship with Brittany Renner, including a brief marriage in April 2025, but these details are not independently confirmed (Sportskeeda people report).
These questions reflect the ongoing interest in Gates’ life and career.
Related stories
Tyler Reed reports on technology news and product developments across Canada for BuzzLayer.