Kevin Gates Explains Why He Didn’t Sign To Cash Money

Kevin Gates is simply trying to build his own brand. When offered the chance to sign with Birdman and Cash Money Records, the Louisiana bred rapper opted not to and he assures its not because they have bad blood.

"I listened to Birdman talk about how it got it out the mud and how it took him 20 years to build his brand. That inspired me," said the rapper of his mentor. "I don't want no handouts, I want to get it out the mud."

Instead Gates signed a partnership deal with Atlantic Records that allowed him control over his company Bread Winners Association. At Atlantic Gates is able to build his brand from the ground up. "They were like 'We like artists with their own brand,’” Gates told MTV News. -Chris M. Garner