Kevin Ross has always played the long game. Nearly a decade after his breakout with “Long Song Away,” the singer-songwriter now sees another milestone with his latest single “Love in the Middle,” which has officially reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart. It’s a victory built on patience, consistency, and an evolving sense of artistry that’s only sharpened since his Motown days.
The song, produced by Louis York’s Claude Kelly and Chuck Harmony, is a smooth, radio-ready slow burn that feels like it could have dropped in the ‘90s or the 2030s. It’s classic R&B in shape but finely tuned for today’s sonic expectations—catchy without being saccharine, sensual without slipping into cliché. That balance is no accident.
Ross has carved out his own space in the genre—one that respects tradition while giving room for experimentation. “Love in the Middle” is the lead single off Love Uptempo, Vol. 1, a project released through his independent imprint Art Society Music Group in partnership with EMPIRE. The move away from major label machinery hasn’t slowed him down. If anything, it’s made his sound more direct. More considered.
Chart wins are nice, but what’s more impressive is how the track took its time climbing there. Twenty weeks into its run, it’s still rising—gaining spins, building audience, and drawing new listeners into Ross’ orbit. That kind of slow-burn success speaks to the strength of the songwriting and the chemistry behind the scenes. Louis York isn’t just a production duo; they’re R&B scholars, and their fingerprints are all over the single’s seamless execution.
There’s also the matter of Kevin Ross’ voice—crisp, clean, emotionally precise. He doesn’t belt for attention or rely on vocal tricks. Instead, he delivers lyrics with clarity and a confidence that doesn’t need to shout. That restraint gives “Love in the Middle” its staying power.
With tour dates on the calendar and Love Uptempo, Vol. 2 in the pipeline, Kevin Ross is doing something most artists in his lane struggle with: building a catalog that lasts. His previous chart entries, like “Sweet Release” and “Look My Way,” hinted at this trajectory, but “Love in the Middle” cements it.
