# Giveon

**Giveon** (born 1995), full name Giveon Dezmann Evans, is an American R&B singer and songwriter from [Long Beach, California](https://www.edgepedia.org/long-beach-california), known for his deep baritone voice and ballads about heartbreak and relationships. He made his major-label debut in 2019 with "Like I Want You," appeared on Drake's "Chicago Freestyle" and [Justin Bieber](https://www.edgepedia.org/justin-bieber)'s Hot 100 number-one "Peaches," and has earned eight Grammy Award nominations without a win.<sup>[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/givon-mn0003892988)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[2](https://www.grammy.com/artists/giveon/287256/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[3](https://www.onthebulletin.com/album-reviews/giveon-give-or-take)</sup>

| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Giveon Dezmann Evans; born 1995 in Long Beach, California<sup>[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/givon-mn0003892988)</sup> |
| Label | Not So Fast/Epic Records<sup>[4](https://www.sonymusic.ca/press_release/global-rb-star-giveon-drops-mega-anticipated-full-length-debut-album-give-or-take-today)</sup> |
| Breakout singles | "Like I Want You" (2019); feature on Drake's "Chicago Freestyle" (2020); "Heartbreak Anniversary"<sup>[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/givon-mn0003892988)</sup> |
| Biggest hit | "Peaches" with Justin Bieber and Daniel Caesar, a Hot 100 number-one and Grammy-nominated collaboration<sup>[2](https://www.grammy.com/artists/giveon/287256/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[3](https://www.onthebulletin.com/album-reviews/giveon-give-or-take)</sup> |
| Albums | Give or Take (2022); Beloved (2025), which debuted at No. 8 in the United States; Beloved: Act II deluxe (2026)<sup>[4](https://www.sonymusic.ca/press_release/global-rb-star-giveon-drops-mega-anticipated-full-length-debut-album-give-or-take-today)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[5](https://www.sonymusic.co.jp/artist/giveon/info/583460)</sup> |
| Grammy record | Eight nominations, zero wins, spanning 2021 to 2026<sup>[2](https://www.grammy.com/artists/giveon/287256/)</sup> |
| Signature trait | A deep baritone (described by one critic as bass-baritone), rare in modern R&B<sup>[6](https://note.com/archandroid/n/n1a9a7fda0c28?hl=en)</sup> |

## Early life and voice

Giveon grew up in Long Beach and first sang publicly in school. At 18 he took part in the Recording Academy's Grammy U program, where an instructor encouraged him to perform "Fly Me to the Moon" in the style of [Frank Sinatra](https://www.edgepedia.org/frank-sinatra); he has said this pushed him to embrace and develop his low baritone range rather than avoid it.<sup>[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/givon-mn0003892988)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[7](https://www.elle.com/culture/music/a34247561/giveon-when-its-all-said-and-done-ep-interview/)</sup> He has cited Sinatra and [Barry White](https://www.edgepedia.org/barry-white) as influences on that voice, and [Frank Ocean](https://www.edgepedia.org/frank-ocean) and Miguel as influences on his contemporary R&B songwriting.<sup>[7](https://www.elle.com/culture/music/a34247561/giveon-when-its-all-said-and-done-ep-interview/)</sup> His mother exposed him to old jazz and soul records, and he has repeatedly described Sinatra's influence on his delivery.<sup>[6](https://note.com/archandroid/n/n1a9a7fda0c28?hl=en)</sup>

His first commercial recordings were the introspective ballads "Garden Kisses" and "Fields" in 2018.<sup>[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/givon-mn0003892988)</sup>

## Breakout, 2019 to 2021

The major-label debut single "Like I Want You," released in 2019, was a bluesy, retro-contemporary ballad that charted on multiple Billboard R&B lists and led into a busy 2020.<sup>[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/givon-mn0003892988)</sup> That year he released two EPs, *Take Time* (March 27, 2020) and *When It's All Said and Done*, appeared on Drake's top 20 pop hit "Chicago Freestyle," and scored with his own "Heartbreak Anniversary."<sup>[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/givon-mn0003892988)</sup> *Take Time* was nominated for Best R&B Album at the 63rd [Grammy Awards](https://www.edgepedia.org/grammy-awards).<sup>[2](https://www.grammy.com/artists/giveon/287256/)</sup>

In March 2021 the two EPs were combined, with an added track, as *When It's All Said and Done... Take Time*, a gold-certified release that gave Giveon his first Billboard 200 top 10.<sup>[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/givon-mn0003892988)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[8](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/00s/2021/Billboard-2021-12-18.pdf)</sup> Around the same time came "Peaches," his collaboration with Justin Bieber and [Daniel Caesar](https://www.edgepedia.org/daniel-caesar); the song reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and brought nominations at the 64th Grammy Awards for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best R&B Solo Performance, and Best Music Video.<sup>[3](https://www.onthebulletin.com/album-reviews/giveon-give-or-take)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[2](https://www.grammy.com/artists/giveon/287256/)</sup>

## Give or Take

His full-length debut album, *Give or Take*, arrived on June 24, 2022 via Not So Fast/[Epic Records](https://www.edgepedia.org/epic-records).<sup>[4](https://www.sonymusic.ca/press_release/global-rb-star-giveon-drops-mega-anticipated-full-length-debut-album-give-or-take-today)</sup> Across 15 tracks, the record is framed as a conversation with his mother in which he recounts the previous year and a half of his life, romances and fame included; it opens with the sparse piano ballad "Let Me Go" and closes with "Unholy Matrimony."<sup>[4](https://www.sonymusic.ca/press_release/global-rb-star-giveon-drops-mega-anticipated-full-length-debut-album-give-or-take-today)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[9](https://www.grammy.com/news/giveon-debut-album-give-or-take-is-a-promise-to-never-give-up-on-love/)</sup> He worked with producers including Cardo, Boi-1da, Jahaan Sweet, Sevn Thomas, and OZ.<sup>[4](https://www.sonymusic.ca/press_release/global-rb-star-giveon-drops-mega-anticipated-full-length-debut-album-give-or-take-today)</sup>

The RIAA-certified singles from the album were "For Tonight," "Lie Again," and "Lost Me."<sup>[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/givon-mn0003892988)</sup> Critical reception was mixed: Rolling Stone scored it 80 and praised its confidence and vulnerability, while Pitchfork (60) wrote that the album stunted the melodic growth shown on *Take Time*, and HipHopDX (50) called it an indistinct retread.<sup>[10](https://www.metacritic.com/music/give-or-take/giveon/critic-reviews)</sup>

## Beloved and Beloved: Act II

After a three-year gap, Giveon returned in July 2025 with his second studio album, *[Beloved](https://www.edgepedia.org/beloved-giveon-album)*, a 13-track, featureless album on which he wrote every song. Its lead singles were "Twenties," which peaked at number 6 on Billboard's Hot R&B Songs chart, and "Rather Be." The bulk of production came from Sevn Thomas, Peter Lee Johnson, and Matthew Burnett, and the songs began as jam sessions with live musicians, a change from his usual habit of writing over instrumental loops.<sup>[11](https://apnews.com/article/519ee65b289ae30eb965c59f096522c5)</sup> The album debuted at number 8 on the US album chart, his first top 10 under his own name, and was nominated for Best R&B Album at the 68th Grammy Awards.<sup>[5](https://www.sonymusic.co.jp/artist/giveon/info/583460)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[2](https://www.grammy.com/artists/giveon/287256/)</sup>

The deluxe edition, **Beloved: Act II**, released May 15, 2026, added five previously unreleased songs for 19 tracks in total, including the funk-laden "JEZEBEL," and featured Kehlani, Leon Thomas, Sasha Keable, and [Teddy Swims](https://www.edgepedia.org/teddy-swims).<sup>[5](https://www.sonymusic.co.jp/artist/giveon/info/583460)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[12](https://music.apple.com/us/album/beloved-act-ii/1891467233)</sup> Giveon and Teddy Swims had earlier reached number 1 on multiple [Billboard charts](https://www.edgepedia.org/billboard-charts), including adult R&B airplay, with their duet "Are You Even Real," and he has said he is open to a joint EP with Swims.<sup>[11](https://apnews.com/article/519ee65b289ae30eb965c59f096522c5)</sup>

## Artistry and reception

Giveon's slow, ballad-centered style stands apart from the beat-driven trap R&B and ambient-leaning neo-soul of many of his contemporaries; his music is built around the voice first, with minimal production leaving room for his low register.<sup>[6](https://note.com/archandroid/n/n1a9a7fda0c28?hl=en)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[7](https://www.elle.com/culture/music/a34247561/giveon-when-its-all-said-and-done-ep-interview/)</sup> Critics have repeatedly connected his romantic material to 1970s soul and classic crooner culture while noting his distinctly modern, contemporary production choices, such as his drum processing.<sup>[6](https://note.com/archandroid/n/n1a9a7fda0c28?hl=en)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[12](https://music.apple.com/us/album/beloved-act-ii/1891467233)</sup> The Associated Press described his baritone, wrapped around relationship musings, as having consistently cut through the vibe-centered, party-focused R&B that dominated the 2010s, and quoted him on a central creative principle of timelessness: he avoids trendy language and, on *Beloved*, even profanity.<sup>[11](https://apnews.com/article/519ee65b289ae30eb965c59f096522c5)</sup>

Reviewers have been divided on how far he stretches. Pitchfork and The Telegraph both scored *Give or Take* 60, with The Telegraph describing an "undeniable talent who isn't inclined to go deeper than his comfort zone," while Rolling Stone's 80 praised the record's vulnerability.<sup>[10](https://www.metacritic.com/music/give-or-take/giveon/critic-reviews)</sup> His touring record is solid rather than rave-generating: a consensus of ten concert reviews rates him a watchable live performer with decent shows overall.<sup>[13](https://www.liverate.com/artists/giveon)</sup>

## References

1. [GIVĒON — Biography, Discography, Albums & Expert Reviews, AllMusic (Andy Kellman)](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/givon-mn0003892988)
2. [Givēon: Grammy Awards and Nominations, Recording Academy](https://www.grammy.com/artists/giveon/287256/)
3. [Album Review: Giveon, 'Give Or Take', The Bulletin](https://www.onthebulletin.com/album-reviews/giveon-give-or-take)
4. [Global R&B Star GIVĒON Drops Full-Length Debut Album Give Or Take Today, Sony Music Canada press release, June 24, 2022](https://www.sonymusic.ca/press_release/global-rb-star-giveon-drops-mega-anticipated-full-length-debut-album-give-or-take-today)
5. [ギヴィオン、デラックス盤『ビラヴェッド：アクトⅡ』をリリース, Sony Music Japan, May 15, 2026](https://www.sonymusic.co.jp/artist/giveon/info/583460)
6. [A Crooner in the Digital Age: GIVĒON's 'BELOVED: ACT II', Indie Music Review (note.com), May 2026](https://note.com/archandroid/n/n1a9a7fda0c28?hl=en)
7. [Giveon on His New EP and Coping With Heartbreak, ELLE, October 2020](https://www.elle.com/culture/music/a34247561/giveon-when-its-all-said-and-done-ep-interview/)
8. [The Year in Charts 2021, Billboard, December 18, 2021](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/00s/2021/Billboard-2021-12-18.pdf)
9. [Giveon's Debut Album 'Give Or Take' Is A Promise To Never Give Up On Love, GRAMMY.com, June 27, 2022](https://www.grammy.com/news/giveon-debut-album-give-or-take-is-a-promise-to-never-give-up-on-love/)
10. [Critic Reviews for Give or Take, Metacritic](https://www.metacritic.com/music/give-or-take/giveon/critic-reviews)
11. [Giveon's 'Beloved' highlights the universal commonality of love and romance struggles, AP News, July 2025](https://apnews.com/article/519ee65b289ae30eb965c59f096522c5)
12. [BELOVED: ACT II — Album by GIVĒON, Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/album/beloved-act-ii/1891467233)
13. [Giveon — Live Tour & Concert Review Consensus, LiveRate](https://www.liverate.com/artists/giveon)

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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Music › Musicians and ensembles › Individual musical biographies › Pop and R&B singer-songwriters › R&B singers, 2010s to present › Surnames symbols to G*

*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*

*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*

License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license
