TG

The ESP
Coming straight out of Greensboro, NC., 25-year-old rap extraordinaire T. Gates is one of the most promising emcees to come out of his city. Unlike, the hip-hop and rap power house cities of Atlanta, New York and Los Angeles, Greensboro is much smaller in size and exposure with a population of only 223,891, compared to 5,626,400 in Atlanta alone. Versatility along with an un-conservative point of view, is what Gates says sets him apart from your average rapper. “A lot of rappers out now are trying to follow what’s hot, ultimately converting their sound. I don’t do that,” said Gates, who prides himself on being unique. “I’m not following the leader, I make music that best suits me.”Founded in 1998, Gates is also the CO CEO of Century Flow Entertainment, which is run collectively with his brother Jae Beatz. Mixing demos for artists such as Classick and Jon Stacks, Jae Beatz, is not only a DJ, but is a prominent producer. Growing up in a family with a love for music, Gates remembers spinning records for his grandparents as a child. “I used to enjoy watching them dance to the music I played.” Soon after, Gates’ uncle introduced him to the genre of music that unbeknown to him, would change his life forever; hip-hop. As Eazy E, Run DMC and Public Enemy blasts through his uncle’s speakers, Gates slowly found himself falling in love with hip-hop. Motivated to write his own rap at the age of seven, and made his own song to the beat of Between the Sheets by the Isley Brothers.Beginning in the 8th grade, Gates, found himself joining rap clicks. Starting with The Rollistics to The Supreme Team, Gates stopped at nothing to display his passion. At the age of 17, Gates, along with The Supreme Team was signed to Diamond Productions until it went sour shortly after. Early projects such as Opening Act, which was released in 2004; Treal Talk initially released in 2005; NY to NC, Best of Both Hoods and Hood to Hood in 2006; and Tru Stories in 2007. But the album that put him on the map was his brother's album Tru Stories, which was also released in 2007. Literally staying in a studio, Gates has dedicated his life to making music. “When my album does come out, the people can expect something different to ride to, cry to, party to, or just listen and learn,” said Gates who expressed that life has been his acting motivator for his music.Now also, a part of F.R.A.T. House (Few Rappers All Trappers), composed of members from The Supreme Team; they are back to making history. “Music is what brought us together in the first place,” says Gates about their new found brotherhood.Gates is not just an emcee, his selfless acts has left him portrayed as a big brother replica in the eyes of his protege Jon Stacks, a young artist that has been working with him for over a year.Teased as a child to be the spitting image of fallen star Biggie Smalls, Gates admits that he initially hated the comparison, but soon realized how much of a compliment it was. “It made me feel like I could be cooler than what I was. I could be like Big,” said Gates.“I do this because it’s a part of my life. This gift that God has given me has been something positive that has kept me out of trouble when I had nothing going for myself,” said Gates. With an old head 90’s swag, he chose hip-hop because of the speech liberation it offers. “You can speak your mind as long as it sounds good,” admits Gates. So with this being said, it looks like another superstar is born and ready to be the next to make history in hip-hop.