Independent R&B artist Kevin Ross has clinched the top spot on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart with his latest single “Love in the Middle,” marking his second No. 1 hit in nearly a decade. The song reached the pinnacle position on July 12, 2025, climbing from No. 4 in its 20th week on the chart, and has maintained its dominance for four weeks as of early August.
Ross’s achievement carries special significance as he celebrates this milestone at BMI Nashville, an environment traditionally associated with country music, highlighting his ability to transcend genre boundaries. The crossover appeal of “Love in the Middle” is further evidenced by its simultaneous No. 1 position on the Mediabase chart, demonstrating the song’s broad commercial reach. The song received an impressive 1,796 spins at R&B radio monitored by MediaBase, generating an audience impression of 6.1 million.
Ross’s Nashville success bridges R&B and country worlds, proving his music’s universal appeal beyond traditional genre limitations.
Written and produced by Ross in collaboration with Grammy-winning duo Louis York (Claude Kelly and Chuck Harmony), the track was recorded in Nashville, a city Ross credits for fostering creative freedom. The collaboration has been particularly fruitful as Ross expressed genuine pleasure working with the duo during studio sessions in Nashville. The single blends traditional R&B elements with modern sensibilities, featuring a classic bridge and breakdown structure while maintaining what Ross describes as a “relaxed, soothing vibe with added swag.”
Released through Ross’s independent label Art Society Music Group (ASMG), which he founded in 2019 in partnership with EMPIRE, “Love in the Middle” serves as the lead single from his EP “Love Uptempo, Vol. 1,” which dropped on April 4, 2025. Ross has leveraged various streaming platforms to maximize his music’s reach, particularly focusing on playlist pitching and fan engagement strategies. Beyond digital sales, Ross has developed diverse income through merchandise and licensing opportunities, ensuring greater financial stability as an independent artist. Ross is already preparing a follow-up EP, “Love Uptempo, Vol. 2,” slated for release in the coming months.
This chart success adds to Ross’s impressive track record that includes his previous No. 1 hit “Long Song Away” from 2016, along with multiple top 10 entries on the Billboard Adult R&B Airplay chart. His 2021 album “Drive 2” topped the iTunes R&B/Soul chart, further cementing his commercial viability as an independent artist.
Ross stands as the only indie R&B artist to simultaneously place two songs in the Top 10 of R&B radio charts, a reflection of his enduring influence in contemporary R&B and his successful navigation of the music industry as an independent creator.
