You ever find yourself driving at 2:00 AM, just thinking about every mistake you’ve ever made? That’s basically the energy Kevin Gates tapped into with "Great Man." It isn’t just another track on a mixtape; it’s a public confession. Released back in 2018 as part of the Luca Brasi 3 project, the song became a cornerstone for a specific type of fan—the ones who feel like they’re constantly fighting their own nature to be something better.
Honestly, it’s raw.
Gates has this way of making you feel like you’re sitting across from him in a dimly lit room while he smokes and tells you things he probably shouldn’t. He talks about nightmares. He talks about people trying to get rid of him. But the heart of the song is that transition from being a "caveman"—someone reacting purely on instinct and aggression—to becoming a "great man."
The Lyrics: More Than Just Trap Bars
Most rappers talk about being the "greatest," but Gates focuses on being "great" in a moral or personal sense, and he makes it sound exhausting. The lyrics in Kevin Gates Great Man aren’t about winning; they’re about surviving your own mind.
"I told 'em I used to have nightmares / Somebody killin' me, tryne get rid of me."
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That line hits hard because it’s not just about street violence. It’s about the paranoia that comes when you’ve lived a certain life and you’re trying to leave it behind. You’ve changed, but you’re waiting for the past to catch up. He’s asking if heaven has hallways. He’s praying constantly. It’s a level of vulnerability that most artists in the genre are too scared to touch.
Why the "Luca Brasi 3" Era Mattered
When Luca Brasi 3 dropped, Gates had just come home from a 30-month prison stint. He wasn't the same guy who made "2 Phones." He was deeper, more spiritual, and arguably more unstable in his delivery—in a good way. He was using his voice like an instrument, switching from a growl to a melodic cry in the same breath.
- Production: The beat, handled by XL Eagle and Yung Lan, is melodic but heavy. It doesn't distract from the message.
- Context: This was the first major project where we saw the "Master of Psychology" side of Gates really take the wheel.
- The Mathers Connection: In related tracks, he frequently references Marshall Mathers (Eminem), showing he views himself in that same lineage of "tortured, misunderstood genius."
That Music Video: A Tribute to Fatherhood
If you haven't seen the video, go watch it. It’s not what you’d expect. Directed by Anthony Pham and Pasqual Gutierrez, it doesn't feature Gates flashing money or standing in front of a fleet of Lambos. Instead, it’s a documentary-style look at fathers in Los Angeles.
It shows everyday guys. Black and Brown fathers holding their kids, working, just being there.
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Gates includes his own family, too. There’s a cameo from Odell Beckham Jr., sure, but the real stars are the families. It reframes the idea of a "great man" from being a successful rapper to being a present father. In a culture that often highlights the absence of fathers, Gates used his platform to celebrate the ones who stayed. It was a bold move that shifted the narrative of the entire song.
The Mental Health Angle Nobody Talks About
We need to talk about the "caveman" line again.
"I'm evolved, used to be a caveman / Now I'm a great man."
Gates has been open about his struggles with depression and his diagnosis (and his own self-dispute) of bipolar disorder. He actually earned a Master’s degree in Psychology while incarcerated. That’s not a "fun fact"; it’s the lens through which he writes.
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When he says he was a caveman, he’s talking about emotional illiteracy. He’s talking about a time when his only tools were anger and defense. To become a "great man" in his eyes isn't about the RIAA Platinum plaques—though the song did eventually go Platinum—it’s about the "discombobulation" of trying to fix a broken soul while the world watches.
What People Get Wrong About Gates
Some folks look at his social media antics or his wild interview clips and dismiss him. They think it's an act. But if you listen to the depth of "Great Man," you realize the "eccentricity" is just a byproduct of a guy who is hyper-aware of his own flaws.
He’s not claiming to be perfect. He’s claiming to be trying.
That’s why his fan base is so fiercely loyal. They don’t want a hero; they want a survivor. They want someone who admits that even when you’re rich and famous, you still wonder if you’re "prone to fuck up."
Key Takeaways for the Listener
- Evolution is painful. It’s not a switch you flip; it’s a daily grind of not being the person you used to be.
- Fatherhood is the ultimate flex. The visual for the song proves that Gates values legacy over lifestyle.
- Vulnerability is a tool. By being honest about his nightmares and his "estranged" relationships, he gives his audience permission to be honest about theirs.
Practical Next Steps for Fans
If "Great Man" resonates with you, don't just leave it on your "Sad Rap" playlist. Use it as a jumping-off point to look at how you’re evolving in your own life.
- Listen to "Find You Again" and "Walls Talking": These tracks pair perfectly with the themes of mental health and isolation found in "Great Man."
- Watch the Big Facts Interview: If you want to understand his spiritual shift, his 2022 interview on the Big Facts podcast is essential viewing.
- Analyze the Growth: Compare Luca Brasi 3 to his 2024/2025 releases like The Ceremony or Luca Brasi 4. You’ll see a man who went from fearing his nightmares to mastering his environment.
The reality is that Kevin Gates will always be a polarizing figure. But "Great Man" remains a definitive piece of evidence that underneath the tattoos and the tough exterior is an artist who genuinely wants to leave a better footprint than the one he started with.