Kevin Gates is a walking contradiction. He’s the street philosopher who quotes deep literature in one breath and then describes the most graphic bedroom encounters in the next. If you’ve spent any time on the darker, more "grown folks" side of TikTok or Twitter lately, you’ve probably heard a familiar, slowed-down melody that feels like a fever dream. That’s the kevin gates strokin lyrics coming back to haunt—and hook—a whole new generation of listeners.
Honestly, the song is old. It dropped back in 2013 on his Stranger Than Fiction mixtape. But here we are, over a decade later, and people are still obsessed with it. Why? Because Gates doesn’t just rap about sex; he raps about the intensity of it in a way that feels almost uncomfortably honest.
The Anatomy of the Strokin Lyrics
The song starts with that signature Gates grit. "I been home like sixteen months," he growls, immediately grounding the track in his reality of post-prison life. It’s a recurring theme in his discography: the desperation and hunger that comes after being locked away. When he transitions into "The way you call, like you never had dick at all," it’s not just a brag. It’s a snapshot of a high-stakes, high-energy reunion.
Produced by Dun Deal, the beat is syrupy. It’s got that Southern "bounce" but it’s slowed down to a crawl. It’s built for a specific kind of environment—the kind where you aren’t worried about the neighbors hearing through the walls.
The hook is simple but hypnotic:
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"Strokin' in slow motion... strokin' in slow motion."
It repeats like a mantra. It’s meant to mimic the rhythm he’s describing. He’s not rushing. He’s an artist, and the bedroom is his canvas. Or something like that.
Why Kevin Gates Strokin Lyrics Went Viral (Again)
You can thank the "Slowed + Reverb" subculture for the song’s second life. On platforms like TikTok, the kevin gates strokin lyrics became the soundtrack to "thirst traps" and silhouette challenges. There’s something about Gates’ voice—raspy, deep, and authoritative—that fits that aesthetic perfectly.
But there’s also the Clarence Carter connection.
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Older listeners probably recognize the title and the vibe from the 1986 blues/soul classic "Strokin'" by Clarence Carter. While Gates isn't doing a direct cover, he’s definitely tapping into that same raw, unapologetic energy. Carter was scandalous for his time, and Gates is arguably the modern heir to that "nasty but smooth" throne.
A Breakdown of the Most Quotable Lines
If you’re looking for the parts people always scream-sing at concerts (or post as captions), it’s usually these:
- The Intro: "Sixteen months... kissing in the car while in the parking garage." It sets the scene of a couple who literally cannot wait to get home.
- The "Gangsta" Angle: "As a gangsta, I be putting her hands all the way behind her back." Gates never lets you forget his background, even in a love song. It’s that "gentle giant" vs. "street soldier" dichotomy his fans love.
- The Nitty Gritty: "Face underneath your waist while my fingers scratching your scalp." Yeah, he goes there. Gates is famously open about his... preferences. He doesn't do "radio-friendly" metaphors. He says exactly what he’s doing.
The Production Behind the Heat
Dun Deal, the producer, really captured lightning in a bottle here. He’s the same mind behind Young Thug’s "Stoner" and Migos’ "Hannah Montana." For "Strokin'," he stripped back the usual trap chaotic energy and replaced it with a heavy, pulsating bassline that feels like a heartbeat.
It’s interesting to compare this to Gates’ other big "intimate" hit, "Thinking with My Dick" featuring Juicy J. While that song is a hilarious, high-energy club anthem about making bad decisions, "Strokin'" is the after-party. It’s more intimate, darker, and arguably more sincere in its carnality.
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Real Talk: The Controversy
Is the song problematic? Depends on who you ask.
Gates has always been a lightning rod for controversy. Some critics find his lyrics overly graphic or objectifying. However, his female fanbase—which is massive—often argues the opposite. They see it as a man who is unashamedly focused on his partner's pleasure. Gates often talks about "healing" and "energy" in his interviews, and for him, the acts described in the kevin gates strokin lyrics are a form of connection.
He’s even gone on record (in that viral interview with Yung Miami) talking about his views on intimacy, which... let's just say, they are unique. Whether you think he's a philosopher or just "too much," you can't deny the song's staying power.
How to Experience the Song Today
If you’re just discovering the track, don’t just look for the official music video. The real magic (if you want to call it that) is in the "Slowed & Reverb" versions found on YouTube.
- Listen for the nuance: Check out the way he switches his flow in the second verse. He goes from a melodic drawl to a rapid-fire delivery before slowing it back down for the chorus.
- Check the mixtape: "Strokin'" is part of Stranger Than Fiction, which also features tracks like "4:30 AM." It’s widely considered one of his best projects because it captures him right at the peak of his "comeback" era.
- The "Generals" Connection: While this song is from 2013, you can hear its DNA in his newer stuff like Only the Generals Part II. He hasn't changed; he's just refined the sound.
Basically, the kevin gates strokin lyrics aren't just about the act itself. They're about the atmosphere. They're about that specific brand of "Louisiana soulful trap" that only Kevin Gates can pull off without it sounding corny. It's raw, it's slightly weird, and it's 100% him.
Next Steps for Fans
To get the full effect of this era of Gates' music, listen to the full Stranger Than Fiction mixtape in its original order. Pay close attention to the transition between "Strokin'" and "Thinking with My Dick" to see the two different sides of his persona—the lover and the wild card. If you're looking for similar vibes, explore the "Slowed + Reverb" playlists on Spotify or YouTube, which have kept this track alive for over a decade.