By Any Means
Kevin Gates · 2014
55 min · 16 tracks · hip-hop
A gritty blend of street narratives and emotional vulnerability wrapped in hard-hitting beats and haunting melodies.
Top tracks — play these first
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Wish I Had It Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Amnesia — This track exemplifies Gates' introspective side, delving into personal struggles and memories while maintaining a heavy beat that complements his grit.
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Homicide — Homicide stands out for its unfiltered portrayal of street life, showcasing Gates' storytelling prowess through vivid imagery and compelling delivery.
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Keep Fucking With Me — This track captures Gates' signature bravado and determination, making it an anthem for perseverance against adversity with catchy hooks.
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Can’t Make This Up — Here, Gates reflects on authenticity in his life experiences, blending sincerity with hard-hitting production that resonates throughout the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases solid production and writing but lacks standout moments that elevate it above its peers.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of heavy bass and layered synths, creating a dense soundscape throughout.
- Several songs utilize repetitive choruses that emphasize key themes, making them memorable but sometimes predictable.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- short bursts of confident energy
- late-night reflective moments
- cathartic storytelling with grit
- motivational anthems for striving
- intimate confessions over steady beats
Maybe skip if you
- prefer lengthy immersive albums
- want upbeat party tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album significantly raised Kevin Gates' profile and visibility in the music scene.
- Themes
- street life struggles· personal authenticity· Southern grit
- Career context
- In 2014, Kevin Gates released By Any Means as his first major project after gaining significant attention from his mixtape, The Luca Brasi Story. This album positioned him as a prominent voice in Southern hip-hop, showcasing his unique ability to merge hardcore rap with introspective lyrics. It marked a pivotal point in his career, solidifying his status in the genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Boosie Badazz· YoungBoy Never Broke Again· Lil Durk
Tracklist
- 1 Wish I Had It Start here 3:31
- 2 Don’t Know 3:05
- 3 Amnesia 3:29
- 4 Can’t Make This Up 3:29
- 5 Keep Fucking With Me 2:46
- 6 Homicide 3:07
- 7 Movie 3:21
- 8 Go Hard 3:39
- 9 Bet I’m on It 3:30
- 10 Arm and Hammer 3:27
- 11 Posed to Be in Love 2:44
- 12 Stop Lyin’ 4:22
- 13 Wit It 3:27
- 14 Just Want Some Money 4:05
- 15 Again 3:26
- 16 Get Up on My Level 4:15
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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