Hold on—could Kevin Gates be reigniting that long-simmering tension with Boosie Badazz? His explosive new single 'F*k Em' is sending shockwaves through the hip-hop world, with fans convinced it's packed with hidden jabs aimed straight at the Louisiana legend.
For a while now, it seemed like the rumored beef between Kevin Gates and Boosie Badazz had faded into the background of the rap scene. After all, both artists hail from Louisiana and have shared the spotlight without major drama—at least on the surface. But just when everyone thought the air was clear, Gates unleashes this raw, unfiltered track that's got everyone talking. 'F*k Em' is no holds-barred, so intense that platforms like YouTube slapped an age restriction on it right away, signaling Gates is in full attack mode and not pulling any punches.
But here's where it gets controversial: eagle-eared listeners are picking up what they believe are direct, yet sneaky, disses toward Boosie, all without dropping his name outright. This technique, often called 'subliminal shots' in hip-hop, lets artists air grievances indirectly to avoid full-on confrontation while still letting fans connect the dots. And in this case, one particular verse has the Louisiana rap community on high alert. Gates spits lines like, 'You ain’t New Orleans to Baton Rouge / still in the trenches controlling traffic / you don’t pull up and hop out solo / you ain’t Mr. Louisiana…' It's poetic yet pointed, painting a picture of someone who's all talk but not truly independent or dominant in the game.
That final jab? It's the one that's really lighting up the debate. Boosie has proudly owned the nickname 'Mr. Louisiana' for years—it's practically his brand, complete with custom jewelry to flaunt it. Gates doesn't just question it; he claims it for himself, rapping soon after, '…b**ch I’m here / I’m Mr. Louisiana.' For newcomers to rap feuds, this is classic territory claiming—it's like two kings fighting over the throne of their home state, and it hits hard because Louisiana rap has deep roots in regional pride and street credibility.
And this is the part most people miss: just earlier this year, Boosie went public saying he'd hashed things out with Gates, NBA YoungBoy, and Fredo Bang during a group video call, insisting all beefs were buried for good. He emphasized that he and Gates never had real problems to begin with, framing it as a proactive step to keep the peace in their shared Louisiana circle. But fans aren't buying it one bit—they're shouting 'cap' all over social media, meaning they think it's all for show. As soon as the track dropped, Twitter and Instagram lit up with fans digging up old interviews, screenshots of past shade, and timeline analyses to 'prove' Gates is circling back to old grudges.
Boosie himself addressed the rumors head-on in a VladTV interview, saying, 'I ain’t never had no issues with [Gates],' and stressing that if there was a problem, it would've blown up publicly long ago. He kept it real: 'But I ain’t never had no issue with him.' Yet, if 'F*k Em' is indeed targeting him, this could come off as just diplomatic talk for the cameras— a subtle counterpoint that raises eyebrows about whether these peace declarations hold water in the cutthroat world of rap, where egos and legacies are always on the line.
So far, Boosie hasn't fired back or even acknowledged the track, leaving everyone on edge. Will he let it slide, or is a response brewing that could escalate this into a full-blown Louisiana showdown? What do you think—is Gates really taking aim at Boosie here, or are fans reading too much into the lyrics? And if it is a diss, should Boosie clap back to defend his title, or is squashing it the smarter move? Drop your thoughts in the comments below—I'd love to hear if you're team Gates, team Boosie, or just here for the drama!
