An’ X-factor’ – the best musicians have it: It is the indescribable demeanor that distinguishes great artists from just good ones. It is the intriguing qualities that amuse one at first glance. It is an indefinable uniqueness and certainly, the reason why all eyes are on a new artist called Terry Treasure.
With an hour-glass body covered in ink patterns, a colorful character and a nauseating dose of raw sexiness, Terry Treasure comes across as dangerously bad but there is a lot more to the Soweto born lyricist than meets the eye.
On a sun soaked Saturday afternoon at an Italian restaurant at Rose bank mall, Johannesburg, the 21 year old opened up to Jozi Gist about her dark past, the messages behind her exquisite collection of tattoos, how she handles the public scrutiny that comes with her bad girl image, her new single and her plans to take the music industry by storm.
Despite the mouth watering menu in front of me, I was hungrier to feed my inquisitive mind with more information about the phenomenal artist in my presence but before the barrage of questions I had in store, I suggested we ordered two glasses of wine to celebrate the recent release of her sizzling hot new video.
To my astonishment, my’ brilliant idea’ was politely shut down.”I don’t drink or smoke anymore,” she told me, pulling her chair closer. “Why? “ I asked. “In my teenage years, I got into so many wrong things. I was so crazy back then. I was doing a lot of drinking, partying and smoking till one day I looked in the mirror and did not recognize myself anymore. I had gained so much weight and looked terrible – that was the day I decided enough was enough,” she candidly confessed.
In honor of the new Terry Treasure, we opted for two glasses of iced water instead. Her tenacity to defeat her demons of distractions from such an early age was an immediate insight into her strong willed personality.
Born Gugu Bonga, my interview with Soweto’s very own started with a question about how she came up with her stage name. “My mom calls me her treasure and my first name Gugu means “treasure” I got the Terry part from an American fashion and portrait photographer who inspires me. His name is Terence Richardson.”
The prior night, I had read about her short stints in photography and multimedia design. I also learnt that she dropped out of school in her formative years. I asked her what was going through her mind at this delicate phase of her life.
“After I dropped out I was at a crossroad where I was left with only two choices: It was either I self-destructed completely or pursued what really set my soul on fire – music”
“During this stage, I stayed at home a lot and just thought about my life. One day, I woke up and decided I wanted to study Digital Music composition and production at SoulCandi, Institute of Music, under Boston Media House. While studying, I joined an all-female dance crew, which did choreography for music videos. I am forever indebted to my dance partners because it was through them that my true gift was discovered,” Terry said before having a sip of water.
At this stage, it seemed only logical to hear the story behind how this ‘lost treasure’ was found.”I remember we were on the set of the Vector Pedro song titled “Zam Zam” featuring Big nuz and Tira back in 2014.It was at this shoot that I met my current manager, Mandy Mpungose and her business partner, Alex Kwesi Crassie.I was put on the spot to rap for them and impress them. I gave them an unforgettable performance and they signed me a few weeks later”
As she wrapped up the story of how her musical adventure started, I noticed a Hip Hop microphone tattooed on her arm. This not only reviewed an inveterate passion for music but also sparked our conversation about her tattoo infatuation.
During the course of our interview, my innocent eyes had tried to avoid her chest area where the word, “Treasure” was tattooed but I realize this battle was lost from the moment she walked in so I figured it was about time to be upfront and ask about her entire tattoo collection.
“I got my first tattoo at 18 of my grandmother’s name above my collar bone. The second one was done at 19.It is the infinity sign on my left wrist to signify love. At the same age I got the cross on my right inner arm to signify my infinite loyalty to my Christian faith. At 20, I then got my chest scripted with the word “Treasure “signifying my love and bond with my mom.”
“The mic on my left arm is to signify my love for music and rapping. On the same arm, the self drawn half sleeve consists of a variety of elements such as: the words rhythm and poetry, flowers and my mother’s kiss and last but not least, a piece on my thigh consists of an eye , a compass, a roman time piece and a flower which means “in time you will see the beauty of the journey you take “ Her love for tattoos and the excruciatingly painful process she endures with each one, she explains is a metaphor for life – at the end of all the pain there is beauty.
Naturally sexy, hard-working, ambitious, honest, funny, witty, warm, fearless and one senses – a bit crazy, Terry certainly has an x-factor about her. Her journey to self-discovery has been far from a smooth ride but she has remained rugged through the turbulence, twists and turns of her life. From dropping out of school to signing with Ark house management group to dropping a banging EP, gracing magazine pages and now the release of a blazing new video to a hot single titled “Eh yazi”, Terry Treasure is an untamable beast!
“I feel like I have something to prove. I am not scared to take it there. I am not scared to push the envelope. I see myself touring the world – performing at Madison Square Garden and sold out shows in Europe,” prophesied the female general who eventually found a true treasure that lies within.