Rapper and songwriter Kevin Gates shocked the internet on May 7, 2023, when he shared a live Instagram story of a woman giving birth with the video viral
The video, which was originally posted by the account @indiebirth on April 15, showed a home birth in which the mother delivers her baby, which is eventually caught by the father.
While some netizens were left stunned and horrified, others expressed newfound respect for women. The video sparked a meme fest on social media, with users warning others not to check the story. Curiosity got the better of many, and they shared their regret at watching the clip.
Rapper Kevin Gates deleted Instagram (IG) birth story video goes viral on Twitter and Reddit
Kai Cenats chat told him to watch Kevin Gates IG story 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/xGVnSdswoB
— Domain ➐ (@domainsdomain) May 8, 2023
One Twitter user, @jayvub, wrote: “I have a newfound respect for women after viewing Kevin Gates’ Instagram story.” However, many others were left horrified by the video, with some questioning whether it was appropriate for Gates to share it with his 17.8 million followers.
The video also prompted confusion, with some netizens speculating whether the woman in the video was Gates’ wife, Dreka Haynes, and whether the story showed the birth of his own child. However, this was not the case, as the original post’s caption showed that it was shared in celebration of Black Maternal Health Week. The caption read: “In celebration of black maternal health week, Kendra is sharing her birth video and she offers this wisdom from this amazing birth experience.”
The 37-year-old rapper has not commented on the video, and it is unclear why he shared it on his Instagram story. However, Gates is known for his provocative social media presence and has previously courted controversy with his posts.
Kevin Gates’ rise to fame and personal life
Born Kevin Jerome Gilyard in New Orleans, Louisiana, Gates had a tough childhood and was arrested at the age of 13 for “joyriding” in a stolen vehicle. He began his musical career in 2007 when he signed with local label Dead Game Records. Under them, he released two mixtapes, but was incarcerated in 2008, which put a pause on his career. While in prison, Gates alleged that he earned a master’s degree in psychology. He was released in 2011 for good behavior.
Following his prison stint, Gates released a mixtape titled The Luca Brasi Story, which received critical acclaim and led to his signing with Atlantic Records. He is best known for his hits “Really Really,” “2 Phones,” and “Broken Love.”
Gates married his girlfriend, Dreka Haynes, in 2015, and they share two children together. Dreka Haynes is also Gates’ manager and has been instrumental in his success. In a 2019 interview, Gates credited his wife with helping him overcome his struggles with depression and anxiety.
Kevin Gates video raises question on good social media use
The controversial video has sparked debate about the appropriateness of sharing such intimate moments on social media. While some argue that the video celebrates the beauty of birth and promotes awareness of Black maternal health, others believe that it is a violation of privacy and a form of exploitation.
In any case, the video has left the internet divided, with some condemning Gates’ actions and others applauding his support for Black maternal health. The incident is yet another example of the power and influence of social media and the blurred lines between public and private moments in the digital age.
