30 Plus Years In is run by a Black radio and music industry historian covering R&B, soul, hip-hop, radio culture, and Black music history, with a special focus on the business behind the headlines. Built for people who love the craft and culture of Black music, the platform explores how records were broken, careers were built, and deals were made, from someone who spent decades in the rooms where those decisions happened. Through articles and video content, 30 Plus Years In connects past and present, showing how classic radio moments, label strategies, and behind-the-scenes moves still shape today’s industry.
Meet Kevin Ross, Black Radio and Music Industry Historian
30 Plus Years In was created by Kevin Ross, a Black radio and music industry historian, seasoned voice talent, video creator, and industry expert with more than 30 years of experience. He started in Atlanta working at Turtles Records, then moved into radio at WIGO before going on to work at several stations around the country, including KKBT “The Beat” in Los Angeles during its heyday. Along the way he also worked as Rap Editor and in advertising and magazine publishing at Urban Network Magazine, giving him a rare, on-the-ground view of how radio programming, record promotion, and label strategy actually work. That mix of on-air experience, record promotion, and publishing is what separates 30 Plus Years In from sites that only cover music news from the outside looking in.
Over time, he transitioned from on-air talent to becoming a publisher and commentator who documents and explains the inner workings of Black radio and the music business.
From Radio Facts to 30 Plus Years In
In 1995, Ross launched what became Radio Facts, one of the first digital trade platforms focused on urban and R&B radio and Black media. That newsletter evolved into a full website and magazine, establishing him as a trusted voice for industry professionals.
Radio Facts remains his primary publishing platform, while 30 Plus Years In extends that legacy into deeper storytelling, R&B and radio history, and long-form industry narratives built for readers who want the business story behind the music, not just the headline.
Beyond the Byline
Kevin also founded LOMARI Corp, a nonprofit dedicated to mentoring HBCU students pursuing careers in music, and serves on the advisory board of the Living Legends Foundation. His guiding mission across every platform he runs is teaching people over 40 how to turn their experience into equity. It is the same idea driving 30 Plus Years In: the archive, the interviews, and the history all exist to help the next generation of Black creatives, executives, and entrepreneurs see their own value sooner than he did.
What You’ll Find on 30 Plus Years In
Readers come to 30 Plus Years In for R&B and hip-hop stories, Black radio history, artist and executive interviews, and analysis of the business decisions shaping music today, from streaming and royalties to AI licensing and touring revenue. Each piece pairs firsthand radio and label experience with the kind of research and context that turns a headline into a real understanding of how the Black music business actually works.
Contact
For inquiries: [email protected]
