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Berkley the Artist of Beverly Hills on Life, Lessons & Legacy

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We’re looking forward to introducing you to Berkley the Artist. Check out our conversation below.

Berkley , so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
In my experience, I think we are all struggling to be free of criticism. Seriously, how many people run towards the roar of the crowd when it sounds ominous? Naturally, we are inquisitive as humans but something happens when we get burned by the disapproval of others. We can often dim our light in hopes of avoiding the attack. Sadly, that pure energy and creativity we carry in our mind and heart becomes distrusting of itself and results in second – guessing, silence and at times, complete retraction of our initial thoughts. I’ve fought uphill my entire life to avoid giving up on myself. It is exhausting but very rewarding when you finally break through the clouds of doubt. What I understand is that it is impossible to avoid negative criticism. I decided that I am bigger, louder and scarier than any noise that attempts to reroute my destiny.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Franklin A. Davis, IV. In my career, I’m known as Berkley the Artist.

I got this name in a dream. The dream took place inside of a really top-notch studio. There was a producer sitting in the main chair and he was playing back my vocals in the main speakers. The song was called “Giddy Up.” When I heard the song my heart melted. It was so emotionally charged and the melody was beautiful. Also in the studio, one of my friends sitting next to me, answered my question of “Who is this?” She responded in a high pitched squeal, “It’s Berkley! Remember?” I shouted back to her, “Oh my God, I love him.”

I woke up after that dream and begin searching through my old cd cases for a “Berkley” album. Well, I never found it! Then I searched iTunes for the artist and the song I was still humming. It was then, sitting on the lid of my toilet in the bathroom, that I realized that there was no “Berkley.” I had to birth him. He came from my dreams. I was him; Berkley! I clicked record on my phone and began singing the song that I heard in my dream. It was shocking! I’ve never had a dream that felt so real; I was unable to distinguish reality from the dreamworld. So, that was the beginning of Berkley the Artist.

The reason I chose “the Artist” to add to Berkley was because I have so many interests and skills in various disciplines. From singing, vocal coaching, conducting, arranging and composing music to writing prose, being a creative director for other artists, teaching as a college professor and just an overall philomath. It felt too complicated to ignore the range in my musicality. Meaning, my classical voice, soul and R&B stylings, love for pop music, the gospel/jazz -New Orleans influences and aspirations for Broadway, were so much a part of me that I decided to condense them into one title “The Artist.”

I am a student of art. I make art. I am loving and make love. Well, that was a bit cheeky but it’s true. I’m alive and I am an artist. Thank God for art!

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
The very first time I felt my power was in fourth grade. I joined the choir at my school and my teacher’s name was Mr. Gary Landry. For whatever reason, I was added into the choir class later on in the semester rather than the top. That meant I was behind on the music and I didn’t know the other kids. I was shy.

When I walked into that room and received the lyrics for a medley called “Saturday Morning Fever” I felt like I found my tribe. As a kid growing up in my very religious home, I was used to singing music. Most of it was “Church or Gospel” music but this was a chance to sing something different. When I began singing with the other kids I naturally started to harmonize without being taught the parts. My teacher took note and immediately made me a focal point of the choir. In this moment I felt seen and proud to be seen by my classmates. I was empowered.

Soon, he gave me two solos. One was “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from the Wizard of Oz and the other was “All the Way” by Andre Crouch. I practiced those songs to nauseam. My mom was very invested in this performance. She wanted my posture to be proper and my overall presence to be polished. The performance took place at Audubon Zoo on a stage in the garden. I was ready to shine. The shyness I once expressed was quickly overcome with joy and eagerness when I stepped into the limelight. The performance went well. I was fulfilled by the way I felt and sounded. Equally, the audience loved what I was doing and that felt exhilarating. However, the moment that topped all of that was when my father came to me after the show and placed his hand on my shoulder. He said, ” So you’re a singer, huh son?” I told him “Yes sir. I want to be a singer.” My dad smiled and I knew in that moment that I had something very special. My father was a renowned vocalist and his stature, swagger and power was always larger than life. I made a dent in his energy and I knew he respected my talent and drive from that very second.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Almost giving up has got to be the marker every dreamer faces before the magic happens. Look, in my life and career I cannot tell you how many times I felt as if I should quit! Strangely, I reroute the road to my desire over and over again because I can’t live with regret!

Once, around 2011 I was so overwhelmed with my seemingly staggered success that I considered driving my car off the bridge into the Mississippi River. Moments before I sharply veered into the right lane on the Crescent City Connection bridge I looked at the New Orleans Superdome on the other side of the river. Seriously, I heard Jesus speak in my mind. He said, with the kindest voice, “If you do this today I’ll never get to see you sing there.” My eyes zoomed towards the direction of the Superdome and my emotional apathy turned into a deep sense of child-like sadness. I wasn’t on auto pilot anymore. My feelings came back into my body and suddenly I had a new energy to fight for my dream. To stay alive!

Can you imagine how much I would have missed out on if I took my life that day? You know, I’ve heard people say “Don’t make a permanent choice from a temporary situation.” On that very day, I had a shift in perspective. That was a miracle. The anchoring mantra that I now live by is this, “God will not play me! I will not fail.” Thankfully, I lived past my disappointment and “burn out” long enough to perform in the New Orleans Superdome on the fifty yard-line for the Sugar Bowl in 2022. I am a relentless dreamer. That’s it. I will achieve my purpose in this life and it will be good, enjoyable and epic.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Here is the thing about me; I am many things. Yes, I mean what I say but I certainly have different personas. Berkley the Artist (BTA) is fearless, diplomatic, extroverted and in tune with the trend of the time. When I’m in BTA mode I don’t think about who I was born to or whether or not I am liked. BTA is truly motivated by pure passion and the execution of all things legendary. I can do it without being worried if I come off as sweet or sour; criticism means absolutely nothing to me. It’s my shadow side. You know what I mean? That side of me that comes out when I have a really good cocktail. Unfiltered and entertaining.

Now, the other side of me is Frank. Completely different. Frank is very vulnerable and overthinks everything. “Did I seem kind to everyone?” “If you are a close friend or family, you know that I am very empathetic, emotional and cautious of everything! I can’t help it because I grew up as a pastor’s kid in the spotlight. My siblings and I were always critiqued for our good and questionable choices. So, it made me hyper aware of how people saw me and my family. I denied lots of my proclivities. The cost of being “bad” or “wrong” were very high. I began realizing that being on stage was the only place I felt most truthful. I could go to a place where no one could harm me. Frank is the truth untold. I hold a lot on the inside in order to protect everyone else.

I’m complex. Everyone in the world is complex. I’ve found away to have all of me. Everyone will not like that answer about how I present myself. The BTA version of me doesn’t give a fuck. The Frank version of me feels nervous that I just cursed aloud.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
I’ll keep this short but it’s something that I think about all the time. I believe we choose our individual life lines. Yes, each hardship or advantage that we face in our lives is created for us to learn a deeper lesson about humanity. Personally, I came here (Earth/Life) to learn what it means to find voice and power that advocates for people who need a push in the direction of their true destiny. Ever since I was a kid, my instinct was to protect, stand up for and inspire others. It’s something that I just cannot help! Sometimes I try to talk myself out of getting involved in other people’s worlds but when I feel the pressure to show others a way to escape fear; I have to speak up. We must remember we have choice! Choice to live in peace or fear. I get that! Everyday I’m going to reach upwards for the sky and I will empower those around me to do the same.

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Image Credits
Nicol Biesek is the photographer .

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