BALTIMORE — Davon Fleming uses his soulful voice to inspire and be the difference for his city. He sat down with WMAR-2 News to discuss his journey from growing up in West Baltimore to performing on some of the biggest stages in the world.
Growing up in a musical family Fleming says, “I would be surprised if I wasn’t singing, but you never know where life will take you.”
From singing at Bethel Temple Church of Christ on Rogers Avenue at the age of 3 to performing professionally by 7 years old, Fleming always had stardom in his future. Attending Pimlico Middle school and Northwestern High School his soulful voice became regular entertainment for every school event and throughout the city.
Fleming's plans were to pursue a Gospel music career. But he found his musical calling in what he calls, ‘soul fusion.’ “The soul would be me, just the natural gift that I have. The fusion would be everything that I picked up along the way like Jazz, R&B, and everything else,” he says.
In 2017 the ‘soul fusion’ artist starred on season 13 of The Voice and his career was elevated to a new level.
All 4 judges instantly loved his sound, but he chose now EGOT winner, Jennifer Hudson as his coach.
What started as a mentor relationship developed to a friendship, and now the Baltimore native tours the world as one of Hudson’s background singers.
While his music has evolved, his love of Baltimore is unwavering. “When I'm out I'm pumping for my city, no matter where I'm at,” he says proudly. “I'm just a regular guy from Baltimore, Park Heights who just so happens to sing, who has a platform. Nothing has really changed about me."
The humble hometown star will headline the 47th annual Baltimore Pride block party on Saturday. Fleming says, "To be headlining Pride is freaking amazing. A few years ago it wasn't popular to be black, to be gay, to be fat and now all of those things are what make me who I am. I'm just as popular, just as relevant, just as influential being my authentic self and that's what I want to show people."
You won’t want to miss his solo performance on the main stage that he says, “Will give a whole bunch of fun and a whole bunch of love.
