Gates Born in Moss Pont, Mississippi and relocated to Tampa, Florida in 1995. Sean Gates, government name Danishon Felder , began getting involved in the world of Hip Hop at the tender age of 11. Influences in the rap game included Notorious Big, Tupac Shakur, Scarface and various local artists. Due to the issues faced with any other young black adolescent, Gates put down the microphone for product that provided currency to keep he and his family from touching poverty. Constant altarcations with rival gang members and the pressure of doing something better with his life; Gates left Mississippi to serve his country. Through networking amongst fellow service members and hours of freestyling on the job, Gates decided he had a gift and was never again going to drop it. In 1997 Gates and two other fellow rappers on Macdill AFB started M.I.A. After 4 years and 2 albums later the group decided to go and grow their separate ways. Upon entering a career as a solo artist Gates attracted a buzz from Dimensional Sounds production studio. In the summer of 2000, Gates joined Survival Records on a solo artist deal. He immediately fell in place in the recording process of Perfect Position, the compilation album. Upon the release of Perfect Position Gates established a fan base that made an anticipation of his solo project more than he ever expected. Constant efforts from various mixtapes and featured appearances on local artist projects seasoned him in the entertainment world. Gates first mainstream album entitled Durty Slang will surely broaden the horizon of Southern rap and show Mainstream America the south like every other region has lyricists who love hip hop.