Kevin Gates is a walking contradiction. He’s a guy who will quote 18th-century literature in one breath and detail the logistics of a drug deal in the next. But back in 2015, when the Kevin Gates Really Really lyrics first hit the airwaves, he wasn't just another rapper from Baton Rouge. He was a man on the verge of a commercial breakthrough that most "street" rappers never actually touch.
"Really Really" wasn't just a club banger. It was a manifesto of authenticity.
When you listen to the hook, it sounds simple. Repetitive, even. But that’s the trap. It’s the "Really Really" that gets stuck in your head, a double-down on every claim he makes. Are the diamonds real? Really, really. Is he high? Really, really. Is he out of his mind? Well, if you’ve followed his career, you know the answer to that one is a resounding yes.
The Story Behind the Islah Era
To understand the weight of these lyrics, you have to look at where Gates was. Islah, his debut studio album, was named after his eldest daughter. In Arabic, the name translates to "reform" or "to make better."
He wasn't just rapping for the sake of a paycheck. He was scared. Honestly, he admitted in interviews that the anticipation for the album was so high it terrified him. He didn’t want to be a letdown. He had built this massive cult following through the Luca Brasi mixtapes, and "Really Really" was the bridge that brought that raw, underground energy to the mainstream Billboard charts.
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The song was produced by a trio of heavy hitters: Alex Goose, Cook Classics, and Jake Troth. They created this ominous, organ-heavy backdrop that felt like a "hijacked funeral," as some critics put it at the time. It was poppy enough for the radio but dark enough to keep his core fan base from calling him a sellout.
Breaking Down the "Groceries" and the Grit
One of the most famous—and arguably most confusing—lines in the song is the Jhené Aiko reference.
"Jhené Aiko, chewing her cheeks / Groceries please, you know that was me."
If you were on the internet in 2015, you know Jhené’s "Post to Be" verse about "eating the groceries" was the meme of the year. Gates, being the master of cultural awareness, snatched that line and claimed it for himself. It wasn't just a shoutout; it was a play on his own "I Don't Get Tired" mantra.
But the song isn't all memes and groceries.
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The second verse is where the technical skill shines. He pivots from bragging about "Mustang GTs in the streets smoking vegetables" (a nod to high-grade marijuana) to the complexities of his relationships. Gates has always been open about his unorthodox views on loyalty and intimacy. He raps about a woman being "inseparable" but then mentions an "Oyster Perpetual" (a high-end Rolex) isn't a replica.
He’s constantly equating his personal value with the physical proof of his success. It’s a defense mechanism. If the watch is real, the man must be real.
Why the "Really Really" Viral Success Happened
The song eventually went 6x Platinum. That is an insane number for a track that doesn't have a featured artist. Think about that for a second. No Drake verse. No Future hook. Just Kevin.
- The Relatability Factor: People love an underdog who refuses to apologize. The line "I won’t apologize, I’m not really sorry" became an anthem for anyone who felt misunderstood.
- The "Really Really" Challenge: Before TikTok was the behemoth it is today, Vine and Instagram were the breeding grounds for song challenges. The repetitive "really really" response was perfect for short-form comedy and lip-syncing.
- The Production: That organ riff. It’s haunting. It gives the song a weight that standard 808-heavy trap songs lacked in that era.
He mentions "Gardere," a neighborhood in Baton Rouge, and shouts out "Black" and "Cedric." These aren't just names; they are his reality. When he says he’s "really out his mind," he’s referencing the mental health struggles he’s discussed at length in his "Everything You Need to Know" segments and various podcasts. He’s a man who has dealt with depression, incarceration, and the weight of being a provider for an entire "section."
The Technicality of the Flow
Gates doesn't get enough credit for his melody. He isn't just "rapping." He’s a melodic storyteller. In the Kevin Gates Really Really lyrics, he switches from a deep, gravelly delivery to a higher-pitched, almost frantic pace during the "relationship flaking, no eczema" line.
That specific bar is a fan favorite. It’s clever. It’s weird. It’s quintessentially Gates.
He uses "eczema" (a skin condition that causes flaking) as a metaphor for a relationship falling apart. It’s that kind of lyrical depth that separates him from the "mumble rap" era he was often unfairly lumped into. He’s meticulous with his wordplay, even when he’s talking about something as mundane as switching up his "cellular" to avoid the feds.
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Facts and Figures That Matter
- Certification: As of my last check, the single is certified 6x Platinum by the RIAA.
- Chart Position: It peaked at #46 on the Billboard Hot 100 but stayed on the charts for months, proving its "slow burn" longevity.
- The Video: Shot in a high-saturation style, the music video returns Gates to his old stomping grounds. It’s a "thank you" to the streets that made him.
The Legacy of the Lyrics
Honestly, "Really Really" changed the trajectory of Kevin Gates' career. It proved he could make a "hit" without losing his soul. He didn't have to change his vocabulary or stop talking about his "beverages" (syrup/lean) to get on the radio.
He just had to be himself—really, really.
If you're looking to dive deeper into the world of Bread Winners Association, the next step is listening to the Islah album from start to finish. It’s a rare no-skip debut. You'll see how "Really Really" fits into the larger narrative of a man trying to find God while still keeping his "pockets on envy."
Check out the official music video on YouTube to see the Gardere neighborhood for yourself, or pull up the lyrics on a platform like Genius to catch the metaphors you definitely missed on the first listen.
Actionable Insight: If you're a creator or an artist, the success of this track is a lesson in branding consistency. Gates didn't chase a trend; he made the world adapt to his language. Use his "double-down" method: if you're going to make a claim, back it up twice. Really, really.