Lyrically gifted and always willing to bare his soul, Kevin Gates represents the Louisiana sound in the '10s. A three-year prison bid interrupted his first attempt to break into the major leagues, but he went on to catch the ear of Lil Wayne and eventually signed a management deal with the Young Money enterprise. 2013's Stranger Than Fiction showcases his talent: Gates drops woozy sing-song flows and tells street stories over production that updates his home state's tradition of bounce beats.