Don't Pretend like you don't love Kevin Ross

Ever hear a song and you immediately say: "I need More Of this, right after"? Well, I just did, because the moment I hit play on Kevin Ross' new video, I got stung by the raw charming power of his vocals set to the purity of a masterful acoustic guitar accompaniment.

R&B singer and Billboard-charting ace, Kevin Ross has released an acoustic version of the song "Don't Pretend," which is the closing track on his latest EP, "Midnight Microdose Vol. 1." The acoustic version is accompanied by a music video featuring Ross singing his heart out in a sleek, modern bedroom that is fully tinted with a purple duotone effect. The video is simple and understated, but it allows Ross's vocals to shine through in the same way that this acoustic version of the track heightens the sense of intimacy and raw emotion.

The song itself is about struggling to let go of a past relationship where memories and longing seem to occupy most of your thoughts. Throughout the song, Kevin pleads with his ex, to be honest with him. He asks her not to pretend that she doesn't still feel something for him, even though she is with someone else now, realizing that the hurt flows both ways.

Though an independent artist, Kevin Ross, is far from an unfamiliar face to the charts. with over 100 million streams, he has even made history by becoming the first independent artist to have two simultaneous singles in the top 20 of the Hot Adult R&B Airplay Chart. He also broke a radio record with his hit single "Sweet Release", which was the longest-running number-one requested song on Sirius XM's Heart & Soul.

Kevin Ross, who was originally signed to Motown Records, founded his very own label, Art Society Music Group (AMG), in 2019.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Samuel Aponte is Venezuelan-born raised and based. 

I joined Rival Magazine after a few years of doing PR work for independent musicians of all stripes; understanding their struggles to be heard in a sea of constant  ADHD noise and paywalled access to platforms, I now bring a willingness to always appreciate and encourage the effort and creativity that artists put into their work . Can also find some of my writings on LADYGUNN and We Found New Music.