If you’ve ever felt like the people closest to you were just waiting for a chance to trip you up, you’ve probably had Kevin Gates Smiling Faces lyrics on repeat at some point. It’s one of those songs. It’s raw. It’s uncomfortable. It feels like a private conversation you weren't supposed to overhear.
Honestly, the track didn’t just appear out of nowhere. It dropped back in July 2013 on the Stranger Than Fiction mixtape. At that time, Gates was still carving out his space in the rap world, moving away from the standard "tough guy" tropes and leaning into something much more psychological.
The song opens with a jarring spoken intro. It sets the tone immediately. "Say bruh, I love you to death but bitch you gon' hit it, or you gon' lay on top of it? Get the fuck up nigga, you ain't dead yet." That's the energy. It’s about survival, but more importantly, it's about the paranoia that comes with success in an environment where loyalty is a luxury most can't afford.
The Brutal Honesty Behind the Lyrics
What makes this song stick in your head isn't just a catchy hook. It's the way Gates breaks down the anatomy of a betrayal. He talks about people "counting your pockets." You’ve seen it. Someone stays close not because they like you, but because they like what you have.
There’s a specific story in the lyrics about an incident with his car. A "friend" wanted to drive it. Gates said no. Suddenly, that "friend" is flashing out, texting violent threats. It’s a small, petty moment that reveals a much larger truth about entitlement. Gates uses these tiny details to build a picture of a world where "I love you" is often just a placeholder for "I want something from you."
👉 See also: Frank Dunphy: Why Phil Dunphy's Dad Was the Secret Heart of Modern Family
Why the Chorus Matters
The hook is simple but heavy. "Changing, lately, beware of smiling faces. Entangling, betraying, beware of smiling faces."
It’s a warning.
It echoes the classic 1971 Undisputed Truth hit, but Gates drags it into the modern trap era. He’s looking at the eyes, not the mouth. He says you’ll find it "awkward that their eyes don't say the same thing" as their words. That's a deep level of social observation. He isn't just rapping; he’s analyzing human behavior like a psychologist who grew up on the block.
A Struggle with Mental Health and Substances
The second verse takes a turn. It gets darker. Gates starts talking about the internal toll of all this distrust.
- He mentions 5:00 a.m. in Toronto.
- He’s with a woman who’s studying psychology.
- They’re both into astrology.
It’s an intimate, quiet scene that contrasts with the violence of the first verse. But even here, he can't find peace. He admits to "inhaling sticks of this broccoli" (marijuana) and drinking syrup because his anxiety is "fucking with me."
It’s one of the most honest portrayals of the "rapper lifestyle" you'll find. He isn't bragging about the drugs. He’s explaining them as a coping mechanism for the fact that he can’t sleep because "memories haunting me." He wakes up three or four times a night. It’s a cycle. A "constant repeat."
🔗 Read more: Where Did Mozart Live: Why the Genius Never Stayed Still
The Production: The Featherstones’ Magic
We can’t talk about the Kevin Gates Smiling Faces lyrics without mentioning the beat. The Featherstones handled the production, and they gave it this eerie, atmospheric quality that fits the theme of paranoia perfectly.
It’s not a club banger. It’s a late-night-drive-alone kind of song.
The beat provides enough space for Gates’ voice to fluctuate between a melodic croon and a gritty rap delivery. That duality is what made Stranger Than Fiction such a standout project. It proved that Gates could be vulnerable without losing his edge.
Why We Are Still Talking About It in 2026
You might wonder why a song from 2013 still resonates so strongly. Basically, the themes are universal. Whether you’re a multi-platinum rapper or just someone trying to navigate a toxic workplace, the "smiling face" is a character everyone recognizes.
Gates captured a specific type of hurt—the realization that the people who should have your back are often the ones looking for a place to stab it.
💡 You might also like: Gilly from Game of Thrones: Why the Wildling Girl Was Actually the Show's Most Important Survivor
The song has maintained a steady presence on streaming platforms, with millions of "scrobbles" and views. It isn't a "hit" in the sense of Billboard charts, but it’s a cult classic. It’s the song fans bring up when they want to prove that Gates is one of the best storytellers in the game.
Key Takeaways from the Song
- Watch the eyes, not the smile. People can fake a grin, but they rarely know how to fake the look in their eyes when they’re envious.
- Success breeds resentment. The more you have, the more "friends" will feel entitled to a piece of it.
- Isolation is a side effect of growth. As Gates gets more successful, he feels more alone, even when surrounded by people.
- Mental health is a real battle. The lyrics openly discuss anxiety and the use of substances to numbing emotional pain, highlighting a struggle that many face in silence.
If you’re digging back into his discography, pay attention to the transition between this track and the rest of the album. You can hear the evolution of his sound starting right here. He was learning how to blend the street narratives with deep, internal monologues.
To really get the most out of this track, listen to it while looking at the lyrics side-by-side. Notice the way he shifts from talking about others to talking about his own reflection in the mirror. He admits, "Every bitch I'm with, find out I ain't shit." He isn't just pointing fingers at others; he’s being just as hard on himself. That's the real Kevin Gates. That's why the fans stay loyal—because he's never been afraid to show the ugly parts of his own soul along with everyone else's.
Actionable Insight: The next time you feel a vibe check is necessary in your circle, take a page out of the Gates handbook. Pay attention to how people react to your "no." Real friends respect boundaries; "smiling faces" see them as a declaration of war. Use the discernment displayed in these lyrics to audit your own inner circle and protect your mental space.