I just installed KUI nameplates and it looks like i never even installed it. Stock nameplates are showing on everything. I can get to the KUI config screen but it does me no good cuz nothing shows up via KUI Nameplates .. any ideas?

You probably have nameplates disabled. The old, in-world floating names aren't "nameplates" and can't be modified by add-ons. Make sure they're enabled in Esc > interface > names (and they have a keybind, V by default). Also see the FAQ in the curse description (https://www.curseforge.com/wow/addons/kuinameplates).