Giveon Dezmann Evans mononymously known as Giveon is an American R&B singer and songwriter. He was born on February 21, 1995, in Long Beach, California, and was raised by a single mother alongside his two brothers. Growing up in East Long Beach, he was surrounded by both the challenges of a rough neighborhood and the richness of a tight-knit community. His mother played a huge role in his upbringing, shielding him from negative influences and encouraging his creativity. Interestingly, the name “Giveon” was inspired by her hope that he’d grow up to be a generous person. From a young age, Giveon loved storytelling and began turning his stories into songs. He often performed at family gatherings and birthday parties, thanks to his mom hyping him up to sing. In high school, he attended Long Beach Polytechnic and later joined a Grammy Museum music education program at 18, where he discovered the beauty of his baritone voice and drew inspiration from legends like Frank Sinatra and Barry White. Before music took off, Giveon worked regular jobs like hosting at Bubba Gump Shrimp Company (yes, even wearing the shrimp costume!) and walking dogs to support himself. For Giveon, songwriting became a way to express his emotions quickly and authentically—a perfect blend of storytelling and soul.
Four: Chicago Freestyle by Drake ft. Giveon
“Chicago Freestyle” by Drake featuring Giveon was released in March 2020 and served as a turning point in Giveon’s career. The moody track features Drake reflecting on late-night escapades, trust issues, and fame, while Giveon delivers a haunting chorus with his deep baritone that immediately caught listeners’ attention. At the time, Giveon was relatively unknown, but his standout vocals had fans all over social media asking who the mystery singer was, with many praising his tone and assuming he was already a major artist. It has garnered over 888M streams on spotify and over 82M views on it’s Official Music Video on YouTube. The song debuted at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it Giveon’s first ever chart appearance. It was later certified Gold in the U.S. and racked up hundreds of millions of streams, helping expose Giveon’s voice to a global audience. Critics and blogs highlighted his contribution as one of the most captivating elements of the track, and his part became one of the most replayed sections on streaming platforms. “Chicago Freestyle” introduced the world to Giveon’s unique sound and gave him the platform to step into the spotlight as one of R&B’s rising stars.
FYI
- Giveon is known for his baritone vocals. He is inspired by jazz music from the 1960s and 1970s. He cites Frank Sinatra, Frank Ocean, Drake, Adele, and Sampha as some of his biggest influences.
Three: Heartbreak Anniversary
“Heartbreak Anniversary,” released on February 21, 2020 (his birthday, btw), is one of Giveon’s most iconic tracks and a standout from his debut EP Take Time. The song captures the haunting feeling of remembering a breakup date — that awkward day where everything reminds you of someone you lost, even though they’ve moved on. His deep, raw vocals paired with minimalist production created a mood that was both intimate and universally relatable. It has garnered over 1.3B streams on spotify and over 283M views on it’s Official Music Video on YouTube. Although it didn’t blow up instantly, the song gained massive traction in 2021 thanks to TikTok, where emotional edits and heartbreak storytimes used the track nonstop. That virality shot it up the charts, eventually peaking at #16 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning multi-Platinum certifications in the US and other countries. Fans connected deeply with the vulnerability, often calling it the “soundtrack of their situationship.”
Two: Rather Be
“Rather Be” was officially released on May 16, 2025, as the second single from Giveon’s highly anticipated sophomore album Beloved, dropping July 11, 2025. The song continues Giveon’s signature exploration of raw emotions, love, and vulnerability. Produced by a stellar team including Sevn Thomas, Matthew Burnett, and Jahaan Sweet, “Rather Be” has garnered over 14M streams on spotify and over 2.4M views on it’s Official Music Video on YouTube. Lyrically, “Rather Be” is a heartfelt confession of choosing to remain with someone despite challenges, valuing genuine connection over fleeting alternatives. Giveon sings with emotional honesty, making listeners feel the pull of love’s complexities and the desire to hold on to what truly matters. Fans and critics alike have praised “Rather Be” for its rich soundscape and Giveon’s vocal depth, noting it as a strong continuation of his growth as an artist. This release not only builds excitement for Beloved but also cements Giveon’s status as a leading voice in modern R&B. The music video, directed by Loris Russier, showcases an intimate performance vibe with Giveon and his band, matching the song’s smooth and soulful mood. The visuals highlight his expressive delivery and the song’s nostalgic, romantic feel.
Awards/Nominations
- Giveon won the BET Award for Best New Artist in 2021 and snagged the iHeartRadio Music Award for Best New R&B Artist in 2022.
- He also won MTV’s Best Pop for “Peaches” and scored multiple Grammy nominations, including Best R&B Performance and Song of the Year for “Peaches.”
- His debut album Take Time earned a Grammy nod too. Plus, he got NAACP Image Award nods for Outstanding New Artist and Album.
Discography
- Take Time (2020)
- when It’s All Said And Done…Take Time (2021)
- Give or Take (2022)
- Beloved (2025)
One: Peaches
“Peaches” was released on March 19, 2021, as the lead single from Justin Bieber’s album Justice. The track blends a laid-back, groovy R&B vibe with pop elements, featuring Justin Bieber’s catchy verses alongside rich vocals from Daniel Caesar and Giveon. Giveon’s deep baritone tone stands out on the chorus, bringing a soulful warmth and emotional depth that perfectly complements the smooth production. The lyrics celebrate simple pleasures and romantic bliss, with references to peaches from Georgia and California, setting a sunny, feel-good mood. On Spotify alone, it has amassed over 1.7 billion streams and over 799M views on it’s Official Music Video on YouTube, making it Giveon’s most streamed track to date. Fans on social media praised Giveon’s contribution, often highlighting how his baritone added a unique and soulful flavor to the song, leading many to discover his solo work. The track also earned a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Performance in 2022, further validating the artistic impact of the collaboration. For Giveon, “Peaches” was more than just a feature—it was a career-defining moment that expanded his audience far beyond R&B circles. It exposed his distinctive voice to global pop audiences, skyrocketed his streaming numbers, and increased his demand as a featured artist.
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