American rapper Kevin Gates, born Kevin Jerome Gilyard, has built a successful music career while maintaining a complex family life that continues to intrigue fans worldwide. The artist behind hit albums like Khaza and Isla—named after his children—has recently made headlines for personal reasons beyond his musical achievements.
Kevin Gates' Children: The Complete Breakdown
Kevin Gates has four known children, though he maintains a protective stance about their privacy. His family includes two biological children with ex-wife Dreka Haynes Gates and additional children from previous relationships.
The rapper's known children are:
- Tyler (oldest son)
- Islah Koren Gates (daughter with Dreka)
- Kayson (second son)
- Khaza Kamil Gates (son with Dreka)
Meet Kevin and Dreka's Biological Children
Islah Koren Gates, born on November 30, 2012, holds a special place in her father's heart and career. The now 13-year-old inspired Kevin's first studio album, Isla, with her name meaning "to make better" in Arabic. In a revealing 2022 moment, Kevin shared that a conversation with his daughter prompted him to stop including carnal content in his music.
Khaza Kamil Gates, born May 10, 2014, continues the tradition of musical tributes. The 11-year-old boy shares his name with his father's third album, Khaza, which debuted at an impressive No. 8 on the US Billboard charts upon its 2017 release.
Kevin Gates' Approach to Fatherhood
Despite his celebrity status, Kevin Gates maintains a hands-on approach to parenting. During various interviews, the rapper has emphasized his close relationship with all his children, stating: "I lay in the bed with them, hold them, and love on them."
In a notable YouTube video, Gates expanded on his fatherly role, explaining that he considers many children under his care as his own, regardless of biological connections. "I have a lot of children. I know I don't have a lot of biological children, but you can't tell them that I am not their biological father," he revealed.
The rapper's protective nature extends to keeping his children out of the public eye. He has been clear about his intentions: "It really doesn't make sense to say [how many kids I have]. Not in a bad way, but it's not like the public will ever get to see my children."
The End of Kevin and Dreka's Marriage
In a significant development, Dreka Gates filed for divorce from Kevin Gates on July 30, 2025, citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for ending their nine-year marriage. Court documents obtained by People revealed that Dreka requested joint legal and physical custody of their two children, Islah and Khaza, along with spousal support and legal fees coverage.
This filing came just months after Kevin's brief spiritual marriage to Brittany Renner ended after only 52 days. Renner confirmed during a June 7, 2025 interview with Real 92.3 LA that their union lasted from April 6 to May 28 of that year.
Despite the divorce, Kevin and Dreka continue their professional partnership through co-founding and running the Bread Winners' Association record label, which releases Kevin's music and supports other artists.
Understanding Kevin Gates' Family Dynamics
Beyond his immediate family, Kevin Gates has shown commitment to children in his broader community. In a 2015 HotNewHipHop interview, he explained: "I got partners that got life sentences at a young age, and I had to step up to the plate and take care of their children. I've always been a caretaker of young people."
This caretaker mentality extends to his approach with all the children in his life, blurring the lines between biological and non-biological connections in what he considers his family.
While the rapper maintains privacy around his older children Tyler and Kayson, he has occasionally included them in public moments, such as inviting Kayson on stage during performances to introduce him to audiences.
As Kevin Gates navigates his post-divorce life and continuing music career, his role as a father remains central to his identity, with his children continuing to inspire both his personal growth and artistic expression.
