Kevin Ross Talks New Album, Longevity in R&B, and Touring with Ledisi
R&B singer, songwriter, and producer Kevin Ross caught up with Besa Gordon to share insights into his journey, artistry, and what fans can expect from his latest project. Known for blending soulful vocals with timeless songwriting, Ross continues to carve out his lane as an independent trailblazer in the music industry.
Music in His DNA
For Ross, music wasn’t something he stumbled upon, it was always there. “My father did music, and so it was all around the house,” he explained. “I don’t think it’s something I necessarily chose, but it was something that was already kind of instilled in me.”
That early foundation opened doors to working with legends like Babyface and Toni Braxton. He carries lessons from those collaborations with him, recalling advice from Maxwell: “Never do a song that you can’t imagine yourself doing 20 years from now.” That wisdom has shaped the way Ross approaches creating music that lasts.
Building a Lasting Legacy
Longevity is at the center of Ross’s vision for his career. He wants his impact to extend beyond chart success. “To be considered a trailblazer of independent R&B, to lay down the blueprint for all of the independent artists that are trying to figure out their way, trying to figure out how to self-finance, how to self-empower, how to build infrastructure for themselves, more than just the music, more than just my voice or my pen or me producing,” he said. “It’s that matter of just making sure that the business and the structure of what we know of R&B and the music business in general is empowered and further to the future.”
That drive is also what fuels his advice for up-and-coming artists. “Know your worth first and foremost. Know exactly what you bring to the table, know who you are when you walk into each and every room. Do not shut down, and do not back away from opportunities or experiences that will happen to you, and enjoy the journey, most importantly.”
The Music and the Vibe
Ross’s Billboard #1 single “Love in the Middle” was written with he calls the “blue-collar lover” in mind, everyday people like administrative assistants, nurses, secretaries, and postal workers. “I feel like they’ve been underserved and overlooked as it pertains to music,” he said. “I wanted to create a song that resonated toward them, so when they’re driving to work, they can feel good, and when they’re getting off, it could be a nice little stress reliever, or what I would like to call a sweet release.”
His latest album, "LOVE UPTEMPO: MAX", carries that same energy. The project reflects his life as a new father and his desire to challenge R&B to embrace more celebratory sounds. “Being a dad now, I got a two-year-old, and so like everything that I would have done before, my son is cut in half now. And so now I feel like my life moves twice as fast. But then also, it’s the gift of not second guessing,” Ross explained. “I wanted the music to reflect the pace of my life as well, and then the urgency of where I am as an artist and what I want to see the genre move towards. I think we need to challenge ourselves to do more mid-tempos and uptempos… because we need to have current music for day parties and celebratory vibes. It’s definitely high vibrational music.”
When asked what the album would taste like if it were a cocktail, Ross smiled and said, “It’ll probably be like a Tequila Sunrise, very smooth.”
Touring and What’s Next
Ross is set to join Ledisi for select tour dates in cities like Denver, Dallas, and Minneapolis, while also preparing for his own Los Angeles show on October 25. “The legendary Ledisi has allowed for me to open up for a couple of dates,” he said. “Really great opportunity, shout out to Ledisi.”
Fans can find tickets, merch, and more at KevinRossMusic.com and follow him across social media at @KevinRossMusic.
