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The melodic and sultry sounds fans cannot get enough of from independent artist Kevin Ross are back, but this time with a twist. His new EP, Love Uptempo Vol. 1, drops March 14, just in time for spring and summer. The project is not just about love; it also explores the value of time.

For those unfamiliar with Ross, prepare to be fully acquainted. Previously signed to Motown Records, he released his debut album, The Awakening, in 2017. Ross is also an award-winning songwriter, having penned tracks for Trey Songz, Nicki Minaj, Jamie Foxx, SWV, Johnny Gill, and Toni Braxton.

Raised in a musically inclined family, Ross grew up surrounded by singers and instrumentalists, specifically on his father’s side. His passion for music took shape in high school when he performed a rendition of Stevie Wonder’s My Cherie Amour as a sophomore. Inspired by legendary artists, he sought to create timeless music of his own.

He has since built an impressive catalog, including Drive 2, Audacity Vol. 1 & 2, and the chart-topping Long Song Away, which has amassed over 100 million streams and multiple No. 1 hits on the Billboard Adult R&B chart. With Love Uptempo Vol. 1, listeners will hear the evolution of his sound and lyrics. The EP, he says, is for everyone, including “blue-collar lovers.”

“I was very intentional with this new project, Love Uptempo,” Ross said. “I just wanted to make sure that they felt seen and celebrated, and that this music is a soundtrack to their lives.”

Beyond being a soundtrack for his listeners, the EP also reflects Ross’s personal journey. Now a father to a 2-year-old son, his approach to music and his studio schedule has shifted. He also took a different creative approach to this project, moving away from ballads in favor of a more upbeat, high-energy feel.

“I wanted to challenge myself to create more mid-tempo and up-tempo music, what I call high-frequency R&B,” Ross said. “We are living life at a faster pace, and I feel like there is not a lot of high-vibrational music in the market to match that energy.”

As a fully independent artist under his own label, Art Society Music Group (ASMG)/Empire, Ross enjoys complete creative control. Ross collaborated with the musical duo Louis York, made up of Claude Kelly and Chuck Harmony, who co-wrote and co-produced Love In The Middle. The lead single was released on Jan. 24, followed by an acoustic version on Feb. 14. Their synergy helped set the tone for the project.

Alongside the album release, Ross is hitting the road for his Love Uptempo Tour, with stops in Atlanta, Philadelphia, Chicago, and more. He promises a show that both longtime fans and new listeners will not want to miss.

“We are going to give a great show,” Ross said. “That is something I pride myself on, entertaining and captivating the audience. And it is not just me, it is my background singers and my band.”

For more information on Ross’s music and upcoming tour dates, visit kevinrossmusic.com

Photo Credit: Kevin Ross Media