Kevin Cossom (born September 13, 1984 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is a Grammy award nominated American R&B singer-songwriter and producer signed to a joint deal between Jive Records and producer Danja’s N.A.R.S. label. Cossom had his first feature on Lloyd Banks 2004 song Karma and has since produced and written hits for R. Kelly, Trey Songz and Fabolous. He was nominated for a Grammy award in 2009 for his work on Keri Hilson’s hit single Knock You Down. He has released two EP’s so far, 2008’s Pre Album and 2009’s Hook vs. Bridge and is now looking towards releasing his debut album, Longing Over Various Emotions, sometime in 2011.
Thanks to the winning recipe of a voice that stirs the soul and boy-next-door charms, Kevin ‘KC’ Cossom is easily poised to be R&B’s next breakout star thanks to both his undeniable vocal skills and his phenomenal songwriting capabilities. It also doesn’t hurt that he’s the first artist signed to red-hot producer Danja’s ‘New Age Rocks Stars’ (N.A.R.S) imprint either.
Born in Philadelphia and raised in Orlando, Florida, Kevin Cossom first found his love and talent for song in church. Kevin’s mother- an educator and founder of a performing arts academy- was her son’s first supporter, encouraging him to perform his first solo at the tender age of three. He later joined his first group, a gospel act his mother assembled, at the age of six. However, the young singer/songwriter didn’t realize that he wanted to make music his life until he was 14. Once the high school-aged Kevin met Rashad Tyler, his manager, that’s when things began to click for the young upstart.
[/yearformed]It didn’t take long for the hungry rookie to get put on. In 2004, he was featured on his first song, Lloyd Banks’ ‘Karma.’ Thanks to fellow Orlando sons/producers The Runners, Kevin followed that up with his first songwriting credit when he penned the R. Kelly hook on Young Jeezy’s ‘Go Getta.’ He has also been featured on albums from Beanie Sigel, Rick Ross, Chamillionaire, Trey Songz and Rocko, among others. “For me, songwriting was a way in… I thought that other songwriters didn’t take me seriously because I was just placing hip-hop hooks,” says Kevin.
They’re taking him seriously now…in fact it was those guest appearances that scored Kevin an audience with Grammy award winning producer Danja (Britney Spears, Mariah Carey, Justin Timberlake). “I went to work with Danja in Miami as a songwriter for a girl group he was working with,” says Kevin. “It was like instant chemistry. He asked me if I was just a writer, and I told him no, it was just another passion and something I did to pay the bills. We talked some more, he heard me sing and the rest is history!”
With the support of Danja, KC is gearing up for the release of his as yet untitled debut album, which he describes as a direct reflection of who he is—part urban, part suburban and part spiritual. “My music is really eclectic. Not backpack or playing on the conga eclectic, but I am inspired by anything that pushes the music to another level. I would definitely describe my sound as unpredictable, but at the same time safe enough to understand. Its feel good and it’s fresh.” In an age of reality stars and hardcore hip-hoppers, it’s good to see that there are some artists who are still doing this for the loveof the music. Whether it’s his moving voice or his soulful songwriting, Kevin’s love and passion for the game is what will have his fans wanting more.
