Exposed Vocals Interviews Kay B.E. Ross
Kay B.E. Ross is a multi-talented Entertainer hailing from the Bronx N.Y. Her mother is West Indian and Puerto Rican. While father is African American and Cuban. Growing up in a multi-cultural background makes Kay B.E. Ross an eclectic mix.
Kay’s passion for singing developed at an early age. Landing her first role at age 6; as Wizard Of Oz Dorothy in the school play she realized that singing and acting was what she was born to do. Her mother Modesta began taking her to acting/dancing classes in Manhattan. These include T.A.D.A theater school as well as Harlem School of the Arts.
Kay B.E. Ross has been songwriting since the early age of four years old. A gift her late grandmother said she would hide from her parents, performing songs she would right ln front of her and begging her not to tell a soul.
After a high school break up, Kay claims she began to vocally establish herself, singing more to calm herself. She attributes singers such as Amy Winehouse, Etta James and music artists Kid Cudi and Kanye to whom helped her craft her unique style. Her debut singles “For Fun” and “Animal” was produced by award winning Bashiri Johnson. The percussionist has worked along greats such as Michael Jackson, Madonna , Miles Davis, Ray Charles, Jay Z, Eric Clapton, Sade and Lionel Richie. Working along Bashiri was an honor to the singer.
Kayla B.E. Ross has been recently performing in New York City. This fall, she complete her first EP, Love Ride. The EP recorded in Williamsburg, Brooklyn by was a collaboration between creative producer/performer Alexander Russek. The two spent half a year together creating the sounds for the five track EP. Kay B.E. Ross debuted the EP via twitter. Her soundcloud link ranges from R&B, to funk some consider the sounds similar to 1990’s Early Outcast.
https://soundcloud.com/
Recently her song “Paseo De Amor” aka Love Ride was entered in record producer’s Jazze Pha’s .. “I’ll listen contest” and select among thousands of submissions. Her song posted on the contest Facebook page recently.
https://www.facebook.com/
Kay B.E. Ross is hopeful and encourages supporters to vote up until June 6th on i’ll listen poll. Vote: https://poll.fbapp.io/i-ll-
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Kay B.E. Ross: I grew up in the South Bronx on St. Lawrence Avenue. I decided to become an artist once landing a lead role in the school play at the age of 6. My parents then enrolled me into the Metropolitan Opera’s children choir and on the weekends I participated in acting classes at TADA and Harlem School of the Arts. Before I lost my grandma to cancer, she made me promise to never give up on my music.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
Kay B.E. Ross: I’ve had PLENTY of artist names from Kayge to Kay La but decided to finally rock with Kay B.E. Ross which represents my government name.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
Kay B.E. Ross: Many say love or money makes the world go around but I think music brings people together for a good cause. Online sharing is OKAY as long as through a website streaming service such as Spotify or itunes Music. I personally do not give away my music for free. Music is my only form of income; Right now I allow fans to stream my music on Soundcloud for free.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
Kay B.E. Ross: Develop a hard exterior and never take things too personally. As an artist you may not receive the support you’re expecting but that does not equal your worth. Continue to brand yourself positively and support local musicians as well as attend open mics.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
Kay B.E. Ross: I usually gather my song writing inspiration from situations I am currently in. I tend to be a crooner so I make music once I am heart broken or in a sad place.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
Kay B.E. Ross: I currently use Soundcloud, Facebook and Bandcamp to promote my music. I am always on twitter and shout out my music on there as well.
Soundcloud.com/Bluntlioness
Facebook.com/Bluntlioness
Bandcamp.com/KBER
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
Kay B.E. Ross: If given half a million dollars and year off I would donate a percentage of the money to Memorial Kettering Sloan hospital for cancer research. This past year I’ve lost two of my family members to cancer.. I really want to eradicate the disease. The rest of the money would be used for personal growth. I would backpack Europe and also help my sister with her education.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Kay B.E. Ross: So far, I have used social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook to promote my music. The best promotion has been through word of mouth. Meeting artists at open mics as well as vocal training has enabled exposure of my music.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
Kay B.E. Ross: This fall, I completed my first EP, Love Ride. The EP recorded in Williamsburg, Brooklyn was a collaboration between creative producer/performer Alexander Russek. We spent half a year together recording and coming up with ideas for the EP. Kay B.E. Ross debuted the EP via twitter. Recently my song “Paseo De Amor” off of the EP was entered in record producer’s Jazze Pha’s “I’ll listen contest” and selected among thousands of submissions. Hopefully with the help of friends,family and KRazy supporters I will be able to make a music video with the producer! Stay tuned and Vote: https://poll.fbapp.io/i-ll-listen-contest-vote-here?from=user_link&ref_id=p8jp0
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Kay B.E. Ross: If making music wasn’t a part of my lifestyle I would definitely be pursuing acting or comedic endeavors. The adrenaline from performing is a feeling that I want to hold on to. If not an entertainer, I would probably be a writer.
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
Kay B.E. Ross: I currently work in an IT center at a university, it takes up most of my week day but on weekends I stay creatively inspired. I have a small group of friends that meet up in Manhattan to perform at open mics. I usually handle my weekly responsibilities during the night time so on the weekend I can perform and network.
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Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?
Kay B.E. Ross: Fan should be anticipating collaboration with producer Jazze Pha. If not, fans could look forward to me building my music repertoire, as well as collaborations with local artists.