When Kevin Gates first hopped on Instagram Live back in 2018 to show off a massive portrait of NBA YoungBoy on his body, the internet basically lost its mind. It wasn't just a small tribute. It was a high-detail piece of ink depicting a young Kentrell Gaulden holding two guns to his head. In the hyper-masculine, often territorial world of hip-hop, seeing one established star tattoo the face of a younger peer is rare. Like, extremely rare.
Most fans immediately started asking the same question: Why?
Gates and YoungBoy both hail from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. That city has a specific kind of energy, a shared "trench" culture that binds people together. But the Kevin Gates NBA Youngboy tattoo represents more than just hometown pride. It’s a snapshot of a moment when Gates saw himself—his struggle, his pain, and his potential—mirrored in the eyes of a teenager who was quickly becoming the biggest thing in rap.
The Story Behind the Ink
Kevin Gates has never been one to follow the "rules" of the industry. He’s the same guy who openly discusses his eccentric lifestyle and deep spiritual beliefs. So, when he got the YoungBoy portrait, his explanation was deeply personal. He didn't do it for a PR stunt or a collab. Honestly, he did it because he felt a brotherly, almost paternal connection to YoungBoy.
During an interview, Gates explained that he saw YoungBoy going through the same "trials and tribulations" that he had faced. He mentioned that he wanted to put his arms around him and protect him from the mistakes that come with sudden fame and a violent environment. In Louisiana culture, or at least in Gates’ circle, getting a tattoo of someone is a way of "giving them their flowers" while they’re still alive to see it.
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Why the Image Choice?
The specific image Gates chose was controversial. It shows YoungBoy in a raw, aggressive pose. To outsiders, it looked like glorifying violence. To Gates, it likely represented the mental state of a young man under siege. He's often said that all his tattoos "come from a place of pain." This one was no different.
When Things Got Complicated
You’ve probably noticed that we don't see them together much anymore. For a while, they were inseparable. They dropped the 4 Respect EP in 2018, which featured hits like "Pop Out" and "I Am Who They Say I Am." It felt like the passing of the torch. But in the years following, the relationship soured.
The rift wasn't necessarily a "blood feud" at first, but rather a series of loyalty tests. Reports surfaced that things got tense when Gates allegedly stayed friendly with people or groups that YoungBoy had issues with. In the streets of Baton Rouge, neutrality is often viewed as betrayal.
- 2018: The peak of their brotherhood and the birth of the tattoo.
- 2020: Tensions rise as YoungBoy’s camp, specifically Quando Rondo, begins to distance themselves from Gates.
- 2022-2024: Gates continues to speak fondly of YoungBoy in interviews, despite the lack of communication. He’s famously said, "I love him to death... nothing he could do could make me stop loving him."
Does He Still Have the Tattoo?
This is what everyone wants to know in 2026. Gates has been on a massive self-improvement journey lately. He’s lost weight, changed his diet, and even talked about getting some of his older tattoos removed or faded.
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However, as of his most recent public appearances, the Kevin Gates NBA Youngboy tattoo remains. Even when fans troll him about it or suggest he should "laser it off" because of their falling out, Gates stands his ground. He views his body as a journal. To him, removing the tattoo would be like trying to erase a chapter of his life that actually happened.
There’s a certain level of maturity there that people miss. You can be at odds with someone and still respect the impact they had on you at a specific point in time.
The Impact on Baton Rouge Rap
The relationship between these two basically defined the Louisiana sound for a generation. Before the beefs and the legal drama, they showed what a unified Baton Rouge could look like.
Gates’ decision to get that tattoo was a massive co-sign. It told the world that YoungBoy wasn't just another "internet rapper"—he was the real deal, vetted by the street's most respected lyricist. Even now, with both artists having gone through multiple prison stints and legal battles, that tattoo serves as a permanent reminder of a time when the "Generals" of the city were on the same page.
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Common Misconceptions
- "They are cousins": They aren't related by blood, though they called each other family.
- "It was a bet": No, Gates has stated multiple times it was done out of genuine love and recognition of YoungBoy's struggle.
- "It's on his face": It’s actually a large portrait on his body/torso area, though Gates has so many tattoos it’s sometimes hard to keep track of the real estate.
What This Means for You
If you're looking at this from a fan's perspective, the takeaway is about the intensity of loyalty in hip-hop. Gates is a "ride or die" personality. Whether the love is reciprocated or not, he stays true to his original feeling. It’s a lesson in standing by your history, even when it gets messy.
If you’re curious about the artist behind the work, the portrait was reportedly done by an artist named Andy G. The level of detail required for a portrait that large is insane, and it remains one of the most talked-about pieces of celebrity ink in the last decade.
If you're following the current status of their relationship, don't expect a joint album anytime soon. But also, don't expect Gates to go under the needle to hide the face of a man he once called his brother. In his world, the ink stays, because the history doesn't change.
Actionable Insight: If you're planning a portrait tattoo of a friend or mentor, take a page out of Gates' book—make sure you're comfortable with that image being on your skin forever, regardless of where the relationship goes. Portraits are permanent; people are often temporary.