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.
Prince Williams/Wireimage/Getty Images
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.
The couple celebrated their five-year anniversary this past October, in light of which Dreka penned an adorable message to Gates on the Gram
https://www.instagram.com/p/CGc-y2DArFB
Islah and her mother sharing a precious moment backstage during Kevin's I'm Him tour
https://www.instagram.com/p/B4tz4lHHRGs
Dreka is a major force in Kevin's career, both on and off the stage
https://www.instagram.com/p/BzjRPXeBBmy
After converting to Islam in 2016, Kevin and Dreka paid a visit to Abu Dhabi's infamous Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in 2019
https://www.instagram.com/p/BwCXLSbneTZ
It's the little moments that make the couple's relationship so great
https://www.instagram.com/p/BwCZq5BHx2v
Being adorable is a family affair
https://www.instagram.com/p/By_jZUIFgHQ
The Gates', posted up in Tulum
https://www.instagram.com/p/BvSTVRrHFho
The couple stunned at Warner's 2019 pre-Grammy party
https://www.instagram.com/p/BtoXG6xH360
Like father, like son— Khaza is nearly the spitting image of Kevin himself
https://www.instagram.com/p/BxELM1rHcGp
Goofy antics are an integral part of keeping a relationship alive, as the Gates' often demonstrate
https://www.instagram.com/p/BtID7DTHfcn
Maintaining a sense of adventure always helps, too
https://www.instagram.com/p/BsCk3QLnPEC
Chillin' with a falcon in Dubai— casual
https://www.instagram.com/p/Br4ER7KHxyq
The two are always plotting their next move
https://www.instagram.com/p/BpLKwrRjwQc
Kevin and Dreka surprised Islah with the child equivalent of a Mercedes-Benz for her birthday— a Barbie Dream Camper
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq6M7gyniYM
