About
The Kevin Gates Dance, often recognized as the Kevin Gates GIF, is a viral sensation featuring rapper Kevin Gates in a dynamic dance sequence. This GIF showcases Gates dancing energetically, flexing, and pointing at himself against the backdrop of a red and white train. He sports a black t-shirt, a backward baseball cap, and prominent gold chains, embodying confidence and flair. The original footage is extracted from the music video of his track “RBS Intro,” filmed in the Netherlands.
This Kevin Gates dance GIF gained traction in early 2024, flooding Instagram comment sections. Its infectious energy quickly propelled it to other platforms like Twitter/X and TikTok, where it became a staple in viral meme videos. Frequently mentioned alongside the Mike Epps GIF and the Rick Ross Dancing GIF, the Kevin Gates dance became part of a trio of iconic reaction GIFs, often compared and ranked in online discussions about meme power.
Origin of the Kevin Gates Dance Meme
The origin of the Kevin Gates dance can be traced back to September 26, 2019, with the release of Kevin Gates’ “RBS Intro” music video on YouTube.[1] The video quickly amassed over 33.9 million views and 239,000 likes within five years, highlighting its initial appeal. At the 0:18 mark, a standout moment captures Gates on a train platform, exhibiting his now-famous dance moves – chest-pounding, bicep flexing, and self-assured pointing. Shortly after, another shot features Gates performing a double fist pump, further cementing the now iconic Kevin Gates dance.
On September 30, 2019, Kevin Gates’ official Giphy account[2, 3] shared two GIFs extracted from these scenes, effectively isolating the Kevin Gates dance for broader internet consumption. These GIFs rapidly accumulated views, with one reaching over 69.3 million and the other over 42.3 million views in five years, demonstrating the early virality of the Kevin Gates dance.
Kevin Gates confidently dancing and pointing at himself, originating from his RBS Intro music video, in a GIF format.
The integration of GIF comments on Instagram in May 2023, powered by Giphy’s extensive library,[4] set the stage for the Kevin Gates dance to explode in popularity. By early 2024, the Kevin Gates GIF became a prevalent feature in Instagram comments. While the exact origin point of this trend remains unclear, the earliest documented instance appeared in early February on an Instagram meme by user @bruno_the_meme,[8] showcasing the Kevin Gates dance in a meme context.
Early example of the Kevin Gates dance GIF used in an Instagram comment on a meme post, showcasing its rising popularity in online interactions.
Spread of the Kevin Gates Dance Online
The Kevin Gates dance meme truly took off in March 2024. TikTok user @joefromyoutube[9] posted a video on March 16th, playfully titled “POV: You’re that one Kevin Gates Gif,” which garnered over 344,200 views and 48,400 likes in just three months. This TikTok video humorously acknowledged the Kevin Gates dance as a ubiquitous internet presence, contributing significantly to its meme status.
@joefromyoutube That Kevin Gates gif going into the Hall Of Fame 😂 #kevingates #fyp #viral #gif ♬ Lil Yea – Kevin Gates
The meme’s spread continued on Twitter/X, where user @best_mane5[7] tweeted on April 28th, 2024, “i be hitting the kevin gates gif randomly thru the day,” expressing the meme’s relatable and spontaneous usage. This tweet received over 590 likes within two months, reflecting the growing recognition of the Kevin Gates dance as a common online reaction.
Tweet referencing the Kevin Gates dance GIF, highlighting its integration into everyday online communication and meme culture.
Further solidifying its meme status, TikToker @vaunsei[6] created a video on May 24th, 2024, recreating the Kevin Gates dance. This performance received approximately 95,500 views and 16,400 likes in a month, demonstrating the meme’s influence in inspiring user-generated content.
Another TikTok example from @kcohen[10] on June 17th, featuring the Kevin Gates GIF with the caption “Your so handsome,” gained over 104,700 views and 5,300 likes in just 11 days. This usage highlights the Kevin Gates dance as a versatile reaction, applicable to various online contexts from humor to compliments.
@vaunsei Kevin Gates Gif #fyp #foryou #foryoupageofficiall #edit #dreadhead #dreads #roblox #capcut #vaun #vaunsei #anime #kevingates #kevingatesdaily #foryoupage @☆ @💫 @paire @Khai @Lain+ @Dre @kari @🪐 @bre @DB is AFK @drew @Honi @skeeeyeet @r e e d ♬ If Det Mean War! – Glokk40Spaz
@kcohen this gif is to hard 😭 #kevingates #kevingatesgif ♬ Laylow – Jace!
Adding to the meme’s widespread recognition, X user @LeanandCuisine[5] tweeted on June 13th, 2024, about the Kevin Gates dance, stating, “That gif of Kevin gates cycling his arms and then flexing be killing me bruh idk why,” which resonated with over 52,000 likes in 15 days. This tweet underscores the meme’s humorous and captivating nature that appeals to a broad online audience.
Tweet expressing amusement at the Kevin Gates dance GIF, emphasizing its comedic impact and broad appeal in internet culture.
Kevin Gates Dance and Related Memes
The Kevin Gates dance often finds itself in the company of other popular dance GIFs, particularly Rick Ross Dancing and the Mike Epps GIF.
Rick Ross Dancing
The Rick Ross Dancing meme, also known as the Rick Ross GIF or Rick Ross Emote, features rapper Rick Ross dancing in a distinctive manner. This GIF, originating from a 2019 Instagram video by Drewboy, shows Ross in a pink polo shirt and backward baseball cap, performing a jog-like dance. It became a popular reaction GIF in the 2020s and, by mid-2024, was frequently grouped with the Kevin Gates dance and Mike Epps GIF as part of the “Big 3 Emotes” in viral TikTok videos.
Rick Ross dancing in a pink polo shirt, a popular reaction GIF often compared to the Kevin Gates dance in meme culture.
Mike Epps GIF
The Mike Epps GIF, or Mike Epps Dancing, is another reaction GIF featuring comedian Mike Epps dancing in a blue suit, sourced from Kendrick Lamar’s “Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe” music video. This GIF gained traction on TikTok around the same time as the Kevin Gates dance and Rick Ross Dancing, forming the “Big 3 Emotes.” These GIFs were often humorously depicted as rival emotes from video games in memes, highlighting their iconic status in internet culture.
Mike Epps dancing in a blue suit, another key reaction GIF in the 'Big 3 Emotes' alongside the Kevin Gates and Rick Ross dances.
Examples of the Kevin Gates Dance Meme in Use
Search Interest
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External References
[1] YouTube – Kevin Gates – RBS Intro [Official Music Video]
[2] Giphy – Kevin Gates
[3] Giphy – Kevin Gates
[4] Endaget – Instagram users can finally comment on posts with GIFs
[5] X – @LeanandCuisine
[6] TikTok – @vaunsei
[7] X – @best_mane5
[8] Instagram – @bruno_the_meme
[9] TikTok – @joefromyoutube
[10] TikTok – @kcohen
