Album Review: Kevin Gates - Islah

Kevin Gates' knack for crafting melodic trap songs that feature both rapping and singing has tended to put him in the same conversation as artists such as Future and Young Thug.

Gates' music has always been more personal and conversational, though, with a strong emphasis on storytelling and confession. Islah, his debut album, is as lyrical as anything he's released so far, while simultaneously giving fans the hooks they were expecting after singles Really Really and 2 Phones. The lack of features on the album (not including bonus tracks) send the message loud and clear: Gates is after mainstream success but solely on his own terms. The result is his definitive statement.