-Avier Wanjou Brass-
Cousins!
Kevin Ross is no rookie; he is the real deal. Before landing his solo mark in the industry. Ross was a hands-on songwriter, writing for huge artists such as Trey Songz, Jamie Foxx, Toni Braxton, and many others!
In an industry where songwriting doesn’t get much of any credit, the ‘Long Song Away’ singer says it starts with beats and melody, when producing a quality song. “Usually, beats give you kinda the mood and the vibe that it’s saying, aight we turning up, we doing this, or this a club thing.”
Then Ross explains, next it’s “conversational pieces.” Conveying stories that haven’t been told or relating them to what’s current. Oh yes, Ross exactly knows a thing or two; he has charted the Billboard multiple times, and there’s no doubt he will continue to do so.
Now fully independent (formally signed to Motown), Ross is in the turning lane as he navigates his solo career as an artist in charge of his craft. Reclaiming his power and rightfully taking back what is his, Ross gears us up for his forthcoming project: Drive II. Before we knew him as Kevin Ross today, this Berklee College of Music graduate was just a Washington, D.C. native who grew up influenced by music.
Growing up in a musical household, Ross picked up the love for music through his father, who would sing around the city. He recalls two particular moments that made him gravitate even more to music. Lisa Stansfield’s ‘All Around the World’, Ross states “the first song he ever heard” and the early music of Michael Jackson; he felt like “he was growing up with little Michael”.
Despite R&B now being different from Michael Jackson’s era, Ross loves the approach to today’s R&B. Although it has faced much criticism, Ross believes that we did it to ourselves as a genre, we over-saturated ourselves, and we didn’t come with anything fresh. As Ross explains, this drove R&B back to being underground, and women are the leading faces of R&B. “They are telling stories that are honest and transparent– and it’s us, it’s black. Where we are (R&B), it was needed. We needed a female perspective”. Since R&B was forced to sit down, Ross believes we’re hearing the best now, in the past 20 years, and we are in a great space.
Besides being a great songwriter and singer, Ross has explored other options besides singing…hosting. With his viral hit, The Mash/Up Show, Ross interviews his colleagues and peers within the music industry. After facing rejection from being on other platforms, Ross seized the opportunity to start his own. “Sometimes, the best ideas come from people turning you away”, he says. Now starting on season 2, Ross looks forward to the new season and the guests he plans to have on his show.
Switching gears, his upcoming project Drive II is an “all-purpose” project that you can listen to anywhere, at any time. Describing the project as a “sweet embrace,” Drive II has a little something for everybody, including Afrobeats. Just like many artists tapping in with the rhythmic afro-centric vibe, Ross has a collaboration with Afro B and Rotimi called “Wave Runner.” Having a deep desire to make his way back to Africa, Ross feels music is the best vehicle to reach that goal.
Drive II releases on October 29th, and you can watch season 1 and the start of season 2 of The Mash/Up Show via Facebook. Also, you can catch Kevin Ross currently on tour, and be sure to follow Kevin Ross on all social media sites below! Cousins, are you ready for the album because we pretty much are!
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Drive 2 | Out Now! https://t.co/SyJqkyPuOQ pic.twitter.com/Lpxb0Ug0d3
— Kevin Ross (@kevinrossmusic) October 29, 2021
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