Photo courtesy of Wise Path Entertainment
Check out 25’s unsigned and undiscovered series, “The Breaks” featuring Kevin Ross.
WORDS BY KIAH MCBRIDE
Kevin Ross, a 22-year-old Washington, D.C. native, is new to the music scene but already has reason to boast. He’s already penned songs for Jamie Foxx and Usher. Ross also won Best Male R&B artist for the 2009 DMV Entertainment Music Awards and has caught the attention of Troy Taylor of Songbook Entertainment. Ross’s harmonic sound compliments his phenomenal piano skills. On “So Incredible,” released in 2007, Ross’s adoration for women surfaces through flavorful jazz melodies. But his 2008 track “Yes We Can” shows he’s not a one-subject artist. This inspirational ballad pays tribute to the Democratic Party’s nomination of Barack Obama.
Ross delved into music his junior year of high school. He grew up in a household filled with the sounds of musical legends such as Marvin Gay and Stevie Wonder. But it wasn’t until he bought a Yamaha 16-track digital mixer from a school buddy that he began to experiment with his own music. Faced with the dilemma of going to work or going to college after high school, Ross chose to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston. He received a bachelor’s degree in songwriting last spring. Ross recently moved to Atlanta to work on his upcoming album. Now ready to enjoy the fruits of his labor, Ross hopes to successfully transition from songwriter to the next record-breaking artist.
Photo courtesy of Wise Path Entertainment
Kevin Ross: I think I have more tracks that have more to do with melodic possibility. I am very animated with my voice when it comes to live performances and also when recording. I am also more of an expressive singer. I’m a writer, but I tend to write songs that target the emotions more so then having the most profound lyrics in the world. I try to tap into people’s hearts with my voice.
KR: I do create my own tracks for the most part. I’ll play it on the piano and then I will have somebody who can produce it and tweak it, and I’ll co-produce it. A lot of times I’m co-producing on my material because a lot of that stuff comes from me.
KR: It’s a great thing; success is the result of hard work. It all has to do with the talent and caliber. If the city embraces somebody that’s truly talented and good at what they do, then they will flourish. A lot of people want to think that everybody in the U.S. is hating on D.C., but everybody’s been getting put on. It really has to do with the songs. Now we’re getting artists that understand what people want and that still bring the roots of D.C. into their music. A lot of people should be thanking Wale right now; he isn’t accepted the way he should be for him to be out there the way he is. I went to one of his events a couple of months ago and they didn’t accept him the way I thought they were going to—from his own city. I think we really have to show more support for our own artists and put out music as an artist that’s viable for the people. I think Wale has been doing a great job and I think we just had to wait our turn.
KR: I love women. My inspiration comes from women. Most are exaggerated experiences; they’re not something that has actually happened to me. I’ll take the root of my experiences or stuff my friends have told me and that I’ve observed and make a story out them. I never try to leave myself that vulnerable where people can be like “well he said it in that record so it must be true”. You always have to leave something to the imagination like “did he really do that?” Every artist has their stories and they won’t tell it all because you have to leave something to the imagination.
Check out “That Girl (Winner)” from Kevin Ross
That Girl (Winner) – Kevin Ross
KR: It’s an album. I’m making songs now that could possible be an EP, but I really just want to do a whole body of work, put it to the side and start working on something else. I’ve been working on music for me and for other artists for about two or three years, and it’s really about time for me to release a whole body of work instead of just breaking off in tidbits and stuff like that I always want things to make sense so I think the next move is an album.
KR: I’m honest; there are no strings along with me. What you hear on the record is what you hear live. So if you like me on my record then you will probably love me live. And I’m not saying that in an arrogant way, but it’s like when you see a record from somebody and you’re like “damn they sound good” and then it’s like “damn they actually sound just like their record” it’s an element of surprise. And that’s something I’ve always taken pride in. If I can’t do it on a record then I’m not doing it live.
KR: I’m just a chill person and I use myself more like a vessel. None of this stuff truly comes from me; it’s inspired through God. I can only speak on my spiritual beliefs and I know and believe what I feel. I definitely believe in a higher being, and without that higher being I would be immobilized.
Check out “Withdrawal (Songbook)” by Kevin Ross
Withdrawal (Songbook) – Kevin Ross
