Kevin Gates has a talent for storytelling, often drawing from his own life for inspiration, weaving themes of hopelessness and motivation with equal authority. Though his music can occasionally feel heavy, the man can get braggadocious with the best of them. Such is the case on "Money Long," which finds Gates at his most intimidating, standing with both feet firmly planted on the instrumental's neck. The visuals, which may seem unexpected given "Money Long's" disassociation with his recent projects, add a cinematic layer of menace to the proceedings.
Ostensibly set in the Middle East, Gates finds himself at the center of an arms deal, after which he proceeds to navigate the streets with new purchases in tow. The cinematography from Jordan Spencer and Sebastian Saigui is crisp, and Gates plays the leading man amicably, reminding those clowning his dog-ownership that his gentle disposition does not always extend to human-folk.
