Released: 2016
In “Really Really,” Kevin Gates spits bars that reflect his journey, success, and the reality of his hustle in the rap game. The Baton Rouge rapper lays out the grinding tale behind his diamonds and carefully manages relationships, all while preserving his authenticity.
The hook – “Diamonds really diamonds / And I’m shining bright ’cause I’m really grinding'” – dissects the flashy lifestyle he’s known for. Gates is asserting that his wealth is hard-earned, a visible sign of his grind and hustle in the industry. But he isn’t just focused on glittering jewelry; the ‘diamonds’ metaphor also extends to his raw talent and unique skill in the hip-hop game. When he quips, “They ask me if I’m real, I say ‘is you serious?'” he is stressing his genuineness both as an artist and a person.
He moves into a narrative about his relationships in the lines “She special to you, I don’t look at her special / Actually, I treat her regular” – highlighting his detachment and commitment to keeping things low-key. This theme of keeping his dealings underground also emerges in “Scared of the feds, had to switch up my cellular”. This alludes to his caution against law enforcement, a common theme in rap music that often reflects artists’ experiences with surveillance and systemic oppression.
Gates keeps the mood light with clever wordplay and pop culture references. Lines like “Jhené Aiko, chewing her cheeks / Groceries, please, you know that was me” make a tongue-in-cheek nod to Jhené Aiko’s hit song “Eat the Booty Like Groceries”, referencing a romantic conquest with a sense of humor.
Latter verses broadcast his relentless hustle: “Diving be treacherous / Pray to God that don’t nobody mess with us”. Guided by divine protection, Gates is aware of the rapids he’s navigating as he climbs to the pinnacle of his career. He highlights resilience against challenges, a sentiment embedded in many hip-hop tracks.
Gates’ bars on jealousy, control, and secrecy reveal the darker side of his success – “Take her phone disconnectin’ her cellular / What you need that for undressin’ her?” Here, he dissects the complexities of modern relationships, laying bare his perspective on trust and control.
In “Really Really,” Gates encapsulates the essence of his grind and shine amidst his romantic conquests, demonstrating his lyrical brilliance with an attitude uniquely his own. His narrative shares his journey from hustler to high roller, reminding us that those ‘diamonds’ didn’t appear overnight. Amidst his success, Gates stays ‘really really’ true to his roots, confirming his status as a bonafide player in the hip-hop industry.
