Pop-Culturalist.com

Kevin Ross is one of music’s most exciting young talents. In 2017, he dropped his long-awaited debut album, The Awakening, and it quickly climbed the R&B charts. With singles like “Long Song Away” and “Don’t Go,” Kevin displayed all of his God-given ability.

Earlier this year, he embarked on a new chapter in his career as an independent artist.

Pop Culturalist caught up with Kevin to learn more about him, how he discovered his passion for music, and the release of Audacity.

PC: You grew up in a musical family. How beneficial was that for you as you traverse this industry?
Kevin: Every morning, my dad would be blasting music. He liked to wake us up like that, and it created such an energy. It really instilled this form of integrity as it pertains to how I hold music, how I respect it, the reverence that I have for it, what it can do for people, and what it’s done for me. That’s how my upbringing shaped me into the artist that I am.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Kevin: As far as musicianship, Stevie Wonder has influenced me the most. On a personal level, my father, because he’s such a hard worker. Then my aunt, who had a record deal back in the ’80s, but she decided to do something else. It allowed me to get a glimpse into what it would be like and that fueled my fire. That really inspired me. Those are my heroes, for sure.

PC: You’ve had a lot of success throughout the years when you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out to you?
Kevin: There are so many that come to mind, from opening up for Maxwell to opening up for Ne-Yo to creating a Glade commercial. Also, having a number one record on the Adult R&B charts was pretty awesome. They’re all really great.

PC: “Long Song Away” really put you on the map. While you were working on that song, did you realize you were making something special? Did that success add any pressure moving forward?
Kevin: I didn’t know I was making a number one R&B record. What I did know was that it felt good to me—that’s the only thing that I knew. This sound hasn’t always been as celebrated as it is now. I always felt left of center, but once I knew that this worked, it gave me a bar to reach. If they love this, I bet they’ll love this next one. It gave me a gauge on how to create for the public. I’m very grateful for that.

PC: You have a new project out. Tell us about Audacity, Vol. 2 and the inspiration behind the collection.
Kevin: Audacity is a collection. It’s a series. Vol. 1 came out in January and Vol. 2 came out in August. The really fun thing about that was I wanted to portion out the record because I’m an artist that’s in a discovery phase. I’m an independent artist now; I’m not signed to a major label anymore. I knew that I was starting from zero. I knew that I couldn’t rely or depend on listeners from my previous track record because it’s been two years.

So, what I wanted Audacity to do was give a new definition of who Kevin Ross is, where I’m going, how vast the spectrum of what I can do within the genre is, where I can take it, and how far I’m willing to stretch it. And then, also to say that I’m competitive as far as within a contemporary landscape to say, if you want bops, I got bops. If you want vibe, I got a vibe. Whatever you want, it’s available. In a nutshell, Audacity has been one big experiment to make the next project for 2021 a lot better.

PC: If you had to select one song off of either volume that best encompasses who you are as an artist, which would it be and why?
Kevin: I would say “God is a Genius,” for sure. It shows the duality. It shows my love for music. It shows a bright energy. That’s the closest thing that embodies me as an artist. People sometimes get confused—they’re like, “Is it a gospel song?” It’s not; it’s a love song. It’s me being grateful to God that I can find a woman that can love me in the same way that I love her. It still brings in my spirituality while still serving the R&B community as well.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Kevin: I don’t think it’s a surprise that I like Queen. I like Queen a lot. There’s also this artist/producer, his name is Anomalie, who’s really dope. I listen to a bit of everything. Shout out to Taylor Swift—she’s got records that I really enjoy. Country music has such great storytelling, so I look at that genre for songwriting inspiration. I listen to a lot of country playlists, especially on Spotify. I like to see how they’re telling stories and how I can implement that within the R&B genre.

PC: First album you bought?
Kevin: It’s a weird album. There was a hip-hop artist by the name of Big Pun. Big Pun had a song called “Still Not a Player,” which was really dominant in urban radio. I was like, “I got to have this album.” It was called Capital Punishment. When I heard it, it was so jarring to me how aggressive it was, but you could feel the energy. You know what I mean?

PC: First concert you attended?
Kevin: It was Nelly and Destiny’s Child. There was a couple of other people performing, too.

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Kevin: I’ll say two: Stevie Wonder’s Songs in the Key of Life and Prince’s Purple Rain. I love their creativity. I love how their music puts you into a different world.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Kevin: Of course, I have to say Madison Square Garden. You got to do the Garden. You got to do the 02.

PC: A must-have on the road?
Kevin: I need a bottle of honey. I literally drink honey when I’m on the road; it’s absurd. It helps to coat my throat. It’s an antiseptic and an inflammatory for my voice. I also got to have a scarf. No matter what season it is, I’m going to have a scarf. Then my warmup playlist, which consists of Usher’s “Climax” and Joni Mitchell’s “Help Me.”

To keep up with Kevin, follow him on Twitter and Instagram. Pick up or stream Audacity, Vol 2. today.