Early Life and Background
Giveon Dezmann Evans was born in Long Beach, California, to a single mother who raised him and his two brothers. Growing up in a neighborhood influenced by gang culture and poverty, his mother played a pivotal role in shielding them from these pressures. She encouraged his early interest in music, often involving him in singing at family gatherings and birthday parties.
Attending Long Beach Polytechnic High School, Evans further honed his musical interests. At 18, he participated in a music education program at the Grammy Museum, where he was introduced to the works of Frank Sinatra and Barry White.
Musical Influences and Artistic Development
Giveon’s music is distinguished by his deep baritone voice and introspective lyrics. He draws inspiration from a diverse array of artists, including Frank Sinatra, Barry White, Frank Ocean, and Drake.
Career Trajectory
2018–2019: Early Beginnings
Evans began his musical journey by self-releasing his debut single, “Garden Kisses,” in August 2018. His talent was soon discovered by Canadian producer Sevn Thomas, who came across his music on a playlist. Recognizing his potential, Thomas signed Evans to his label, Not So Fast, in partnership with Epic Records. This collaboration marked the beginning of Evans’s professional music career.
In November 2019, Evans released “Like I Want You,” a track that showcased his evolving sound. Shortly after, he joined Swedish singer Snoh Aalegra as the opening act for her “Ugh, A Mini Tour Again,” which spanned North America and Europe. Despite having limited material at the time, Evans’s live performances, often featuring impromptu freestyles, captivated audiences and garnered attention from industry insiders.
2020: Breakthrough and Recognition
Evans’s breakthrough came in February 2020 with the release of “Chicago Freestyle,” a collaboration with Canadian rapper Drake. The track, initially available on SoundCloud and YouTube, was later included in Drake’s mixtape Dark Lane Demo Tapes. “Chicago Freestyle” peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking Evans’s first charting single.
In March 2020, Evans released his debut EP, Take Time, which received critical acclaim for its polished production and emotive storytelling. The EP topped Billboard’s Heatseekers Albums chart and earned a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Album. The single “Heartbreak Anniversary” from this EP became particularly popular, peaking at number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 and achieving quintuple platinum status.
Later that year, Evans released his second EP, When It’s All Said and Done, which debuted at number 93 on the Billboard 200. The EP featured the single “Stuck on You,” further establishing Evans’s presence in the R&B scene.
2021: Collaborations and Continued Success
In 2021, Evans collaborated with Justin Bieber and Daniel Caesar on the hit single “Peaches,” which debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and received multiple Grammy nominations. Evans’s contributions to the track earned him recognition as a featured artist and songwriter.
That same year, his two EPs were combined into a compilation album, When It’s All Said and Done… Take Time, which peaked at number five on the Billboard 200. Evans also embarked on his first headlining tour, the “Timeless Tour,” which included performances across North America and a notable appearance by Drake in Toronto.
2022: Debut Album and International Recognition
Evans released his debut studio album, Give or Take, on June 24, 2022. The album, characterized by its introspective themes and rich vocal delivery, debuted at number 11 on the Billboard 200. To support the album, Evans launched the “Give or Take Tour,” which commenced in Philadelphia and included additional dates in Montreal and Toronto.
Discography
Studio Albums
- Give or Take (2022)
Extended Plays
- Take Time (2020)
- When It’s All Said and Done (2020)
Notable Singles
- “Chicago Freestyle” (with Drake)
- “Heartbreak Anniversary”
- “Stuck on You”
- “Peaches” (with Justin Bieber & Daniel Caesar)
- “All to Me”
- “In the Bible” (with Drake & Lil Durk)
- “Let Me Go”
- “Scarred”
- “Dec 11th”
- “This
