Baton Rouge rapper Kevin Gates stopped by his alma mater, McKinley Senior High School, in a special surprise visit on Monday, their last day of school.

Students and staff whipped out their phones, erupting in screams and applause as the chart-topping artist walked the halls into his former high school auditorium for the first time since achieving stardom. 

Kevin Gilyard, better known by his moniker Kevin Gates, told students it felt “amazing” to be back in Baton Rouge. Earlier this year, the mayor gave him the key to the city.

The “2 Phones” rapper confessed he performed at a concert around 8 p.m. the previous night, in a city four hours away yet had not been to sleep before the school visit, WAFB reported.

“That’s how excited I was to come and be a blessing to the people that’s been a blessing to me. I love this place,” he said.

He further emphasized how he uses his fame to be a voice for the voiceless.

“God didn’t put me here to be selfish with the knowledge and wisdom that I attain, so I use this to combat depression. I use this to combat bullying. I use this to combat suicide,” Gates said.

“[Because] it’s so many people that may be suffering in silence and don’t have an outlet. I’m their voice. It also helps empower me by empowering them,” the 37-year-old concluded.

The rap artist said he believes giving back to his community and the youth is part of his purpose. So he left McKinley high school students with an important message to encourage and inspire them as they headed off into their summers: that it’s OK to make mistakes and pick themselves up when pushed down. Furthermore, he reminded kids to stay safe.

The alums congratulated students and faculty on finishing the year as he took pictures with the excited kids, who will likely cherish him as part of the memory of their last day of the 2022-2023 academic year.

Baton Rouge, LouisianaBlavity-UBlavity-U-Entertainmentkevin gatesMcKinley Senior High School