Treasure Davis is RCA’s newest singing sensation. Although technically considered a new artist, Treasure has been in the game for a while. Since she was little, Treasure grew up singing in the church, and as she got older she participated in a variety of talent shows then eventually went on to sing background for multiple artists such as Keisha Cole and Nicki Minaj. With such credits, a golden voice, and brilliantly colored bouncy curls, it’s a wonder why we haven’t discovered this “treasure” sooner.
Entering the Nommo Office with bright electric blue pants, a black and white striped turtleneck crop top, and one of the sassiest leopard print cardigans with spike accents I’ve ever seen, Treasure looked gorgeous. With her killer outfit paired with her previously mentioned blonde curls, Treasure looked every bit the star she is.
Through my talk with Treasure, it seems like her main goal as an artist is to remain sincere and honest through her craft. With sincerity as a prime objective, it is no wonder that her biggest musical influence is Marvin Gaye. “There is just such sincerity in his voice that I just love. It’s timeless, and that’s what I want my music to be,” she said.
Though maybe a bit ambiguous through the use of such adjectives—sincere and honest—Treasure does give us a more concrete idea of her sound explaining, “I try to mix all of the types of music I enjoy and listen to growing up. I grew up listening to a lot of Motown and soul and hip-hop. When I got a little older I listened to a lot of Alternative and Indie rock. There are definitely some elements of pop that I gravitated to. I just want to be a fusion of all the things I love.”
Switching gears, we talked about her evolution into the music business. Her story is quite amazing. At her eighth grade pin and ribbon ceremony, Treasure sang Whitney Houston’s “Greatest Love of All” for her first public performance. “I would kill to hear that audio,” Treasure joked.
When I asked about her voice, she stated that it was something she had to get used to. “I didn’t like my voice. I wanted to sound like the singers that I listened to and mine wasn’t like that. It took me a while to really embrace my voice and realize that it was unique; and that it was what made me unique.”
Although she had embraced her voice, she didn’t perform in front of her peers too often. Her public performances were very sporadic, performing in her high school’s version of American Idol and singing at her high school graduation.
When asked why she never did musicals and other school and community performances, Treasure answered, “Music was always my personal baby. Like, it was just something that I did because I enjoyed it. I would hear stuff on the radio and try to sing it, and sing it better, make it my own. Even though I performed in Pali Idol [her school’s version of American Idol] and graduation, I was just like it’s great that people appreciate my gift, but I thought I was going to go into acting and go to med school. I had every intent on going to med school. I was going to school [Cal State Dominguez Hills] to study psychology.”
Treasure Davis at the Nommo office
Now you wonder, How did Treasure get discovered? The story amazes me. Treasure recalls that her cousin had always begged her to sing for her friends, and one day in McDonalds, her cousin began to badger her yet again. This time, Treasure gave in and as she started to sing a producer approached her. After that initial meeting, things shifted to a higher gear. He wanted her to join a girl group he was creating, and she agreed to work with him. However, the group did not last long. Reflecting on that brief moment, Treasure said, “That’s the thing with girl groups. They can never be forced. It has to be something that’s organic.”
Although the group collaboration did not go as planned, Treasure continued to work with the producer. At the time, the producer was also working on Robin Thicke’s album, Evolution of Robin Thicke, and Treasure was in the middle of it all. “I remember always being at Robin’s house and in the studio as they created music and just learning so much from everything that was going on. That was an invaluable experience.” At the time Treasure was still in school full-time.
“I would go from classes straight to the studio and spend countless hours there. I would be there from like three in the afternoon to three in the morning. I was just so dedicated. I had no idea I would fall in love with it so much. It just sparked this bug. I wrote a lot and grew so much, and I realized that oh yeah, this is what I want to do. But even with that I was still in school. I was like Wonder Woman,” she joked.
After finishing school she continued to write and perfect her sound. Her break came when she sent in a song, she had written, to be shopped to Jennifer Hudson. It was sent to Interscope records, and everyone loved it. After hearing her skills she was offered a record deal. Although initially excited, she didn’t take the deal. When asked why she said, “Honestly it was really difficult, but it comes down to a matter of something in my spirit, something in my heart told me to hold off. And at the end of the day, what do you listen to? Do you listen to the pressure of everyone around you or do you listen to what you know is true? Do you really have faith and believe enough in yourself and your gift to believe that what is meant to be will truly come.”
Treasure Davis kisses the Nommo sign. Photojournalist: Mark Anderson
Once again, the principles of honesty and sincerity emerge. After walking away from the deal, Treasure continued to work towards perfecting her music. Shortly after the initial offer, she got a call from the music director of The Tonight Show, where she was approached to sing background for Keisha Cole. Immediately she jumped on it. “It was such a fun experience,” Treasure reflects. “After the show [Keisha Cole’s] management got in contact with me. They liked me and wanted to work with me again. We did a few more TV shows after that one. Then came Keri Hilson and eventually a tour with Nicki Minaj.”
When asked what she learned while touring and performing, she answered about the role of theatricality of the show. “There’s so many theatrical elements that come into play when performing. Simply seeing how big their movements were and how big everything has to be was a great thing to witness. I always admired performers like Cyndi Lauper and David Bowie for their sense of freedom on stage and their ability to just loose all inhibitions while on stage.”
After having sang background for multiple artists, once again she found herself faced with another record deal, it was a match. “Everything with RCA just happened so organically. They understood me as an artist and my artistry, and I really felt like they just got me; and they were like a family. Having a support system is so important in this industry; and with RCA I just felt so comfortable.”
Her newest material is to debut soon. Treasure describes it as, “Definitely more intense. It’s coming from a different space. I’ve also done some stuff with J. Cole that I’m really looking forward to putting out.”
Treasure is definitely a “treasure” in this industry, and I can’t wait to hear her newest work. Until then, we can groove to her single “Someone New” and wait for this “someone new”, Treasure Davis, to release some honest, good music.
To stay up-to-date on her latest music and upcoming performances, follow her Facebook fan page and twitter profile:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/discoverTreasureDavis
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Treasure_Davis
“Always be true. Everyone is given a gift to put into this melting pot of a world. When you try to be any thing but yourself you rob people of what you have to offer. It’s just about taking time to develop it. There are so many gifts in this world of all types, not just musically speaking, and no gift is bigger or smaller than the other one. Everyone has something to contribute, just be true.”
-Treasure Davis
Author: Hailey Harris
Nommo Staff