In a spectacular fusion of raw energy, lyrical prowess, and unbridled emotion, Kevin Gates took the stage last night for his “Only the Generals Tour,” leaving his Tampa audience spellbound. Taking place in the electric atmosphere of the University of South Florida’s Yuengling Center, the 14th stop of his 16-stop tour, named after his latest album, was filled with heartfelt yet raw emotion, furthermore solidifying Gates and his status as a rap heavyweight, as he commanded the stage with the same unapologetic attitude that has defined his career.
From the beginning, the arena resonated with intense, palpable energy. Infused with the distinct and pungent aroma of cannabis, the ambience had an undercurrent of unbridled revelry among concertgoers. The assemblage of attendees constituted a spectacle in and of itself, with a predominantly female audience, many in miniskirts and wholly immersed in the cultural milieu and poised to engage in rap recitations alongside Gates. With interesting set design, notably featuring a house as the main set piece, Gates emerged from the house’s doors, as the bass dropped to the first song of the night, “Scars”. In a sea of cellphone lights, the arena lit up.
Following up with hits like “Facts,” “Imagine That,” and “Satellites,” the enthralled crowd unleashed a plethora of high-pitched screams. Notably, Gate’s crowd control and poise was evident, as he purposefully took moments to talk and joke with his supporters over the mic. Moving at a brisk but necessary pace, he took a minute to evangelize his fans. Speaking about his time incarcerated and having to miss his daughter’s birthday for three years consecutively, Gates focused on having the work ethic and drive to make his situation right, as he encouraged his supports to keep their head held high even in the darkest of times, “If anyone in here has ever made a mistake, don’t beat yourself up about it. You are not your past, and every day is a new day to be a new you.”
The words struck a chord with the audience, as fans cheered and cried in unison. Even after speaking with another concert goer, who went to the show purely out of boredom, not out of fandom, it was evident that Gates has special gifts, not only in his lyricality and sonic prowess, but his ability to connect emotionally.
After earning the absolute undivided attention of fans during songs like “Luv Bug” and “Posed To Be In Love”, Gate turned the set back up with TikTok sensation, “Thinking With My D*ck.” As the song came on, the entire arena erupted into a frenzy as his fans belted the lyrics, completely losing themselves in the songs. Bringing the show to a close with rollicking tracks such as “Me Too,” “2 Phones,” and “Breakfast”, Kevin went out with a bang amongst a flurry of smoke from Co2 cannons, as he mysteriously disappeared behind the set.
Earlier in the night, BX the Plug set the night off. Most known for his TikTok viral song, “Poppin Sh*t”, he moved from side to side on stage and busted a few moves himself. Although his set was only about 20 minutes, BX set the stage on fire, and by the time Gates hit the stage only minutes after BX, the arena was already at a fervor pitch.
In the realm of rap music, Gates, who has ascended to a position of dominance through his unbridled and uninhibited stylistic approach, exhibited an apex level of performance. He transcends the conventional archetype of a mere rapper amd has emerged as a trendsetting luminary, a forthright individual whose resonance within the musical landscape is underscored by the unadulterated authenticity of his lyrical compositions and the compelling nature of his rhythmic arrangements. Moreover, what makes Gates’ brand so appealing is his honesty and raw emotion. He is not only unafraid, but courageous in his transparency about his many trials and tribulations, and in a rap world full of macho, his emotional intelligence comes as a much-needed breath of fresh air.
