Giveon Dezmann Evans’ mesmeric baritone vocals are a rare jewel in R&B music, where his distinctive voice flutters from a uniquely low register to even deeper. In 2022, the 27-year-old crooner hit the GRAMMY stage alongside Canadian singing sensations Justin Bieber and Daniel Caesar to perform "Peaches." Onstage, the GRAMMY-nominated tropical summer singalong was reimagined into an instrumental rendition that showcased each performer’s piercing vocals.
"That was the first time we ever performed together," Giveon says over Zoom, squeezing his hand rings firmly. "For it to be at the GRAMMYs was insane, because I think of how organic the song came together. You can't help but feel the gravity of the song once you're on the GRAMMY stage performing it live."
Giveon’s honeyed vibrato left the live audience awestruck, and that moment can be replayed through his long delayed 15-track album, Give or Take. "The album concept is just me having a conversation with my mom," Giveon explains. "I am finally expressing to her everything I've been through for the last 18 to 24 months. As if I'm reading right out of a diary, I told her that I want to have a conversation. I just wanted it to be her and myself."
Giveon's diaristic debut album narratively reckons with the extremities of fame, the curse of being a relentless lover, and how to see through heartbreak even in its darkest days. The opening single, "Let Me Go" starts the discussion between Giveon and his mother, who is mystified by her son’s new reality. "Make You Mine" features a monologue where Giveon ponders being an unyielding believer in love, and Giveon later stretches to alto notes on the confessional "Lost Me" as his mom reminds her son of how imperfect love truly is.
Ahead of his North American tour, which kicks off on Aug. 16, Giveon spoke with GRAMMY.com about building a tea bar in his LA home to bring coziness to his Give or Take album-making process, spending time with his mother, and the harrowing stories of heartbreak that are foolproof ingredients for an relatable R&B record.
You have been on everyone’s radar and playlist since "Heartbreak Anniversary" was released in 2020. How have you felt since breaking out during the pandemic in 2020?
It took some time getting used to for sure. While everything was happening, the world was completely locked down in 2020. It wasn't what it is like now, so I had a sense of discomfort because I didn't know how my music would live outside of the pandemic and how I would be received. I had no idea how it would all work out. Now, I've gotten the hang of it. I feel like I've arrived.
How did the song, "Peaches" come together between you, Justin Bieber, and Daniel Caesar? I feel like it’s such a perfect mixture of all of your identities as different artists with the carefree sound of it and there's also the emotionally-charged impact of summer, love and nostalgia in the single.
The world was already there. I think Justin already had the song and at this point, we already knew each other. He just called me and asked me to be a part of this song. When I first listened to "Peaches" I knew this was going to be such a fun song. I didn't step completely out of myself and it felt refreshing to hop on something a little more rhythmic.
Have you felt like a physical shift within yourself with Give or Take, having to take on more performances and in-person moments with your fans?
Yes, for sure. I think that is one of my favorite parts — the songs and the stories. You get the stories, but you don't necessarily get me and my full personality and everything that is about me. So one thing I love about performing is I kind of get to show people me … versus just listening to me through their earphones or speakers.
Maturity has been a natural guiding force all of your life. When it comes to puberty, your voice maturing allows you to have the sound it has now. Through your sounds evolving over each body of work in the past three years to this new release. How have you re-experienced maturity for the creation of Give or Take?
I definitely feel like I've grown so much as an artist and as a person. I've matured in a sense that I keep a focus on what's really important. I think coming into this, I was so fresh and new to just the world of it all. I kind of was attaching value to certain things that actually shouldn't have much value. Now I've matured and grown and know what really matters and what really makes something a success.
What was your mom’s reaction to Give or Take when she first heard it?
We've always had a sense of transparency and I can always be vulnerable and honest with her. We're just in our natural state at this point. I think with the songs and this project, we can't help but grow a little closer, even if you don't think you could get any closer because the love is unconditional.
Your mom is mentioned early in the album in the very first song, what did her wise perspective add to your debut album?
I think she was just happy to see her son be able to create and express himself and it be received so well. I don't even think she's grasped the idea of me being an artist yet. Every time she calls me, she'll say how she can't believe it. It's been like two years. [Chuckles] At some point, you're going to have to believe it.
Have you ever asked your mom where the name Giveon comes from?
I asked her when I wanted to go to college and put my name on a resume to get a job. I feel like it looks so weird on a resume and I might not get a call back because they don't even know how to pronounce my name.
What made you choose this name? And she just said: "I just knew that one day you'll be a giving person."
What was your morning routine like in preparation for Give or Take?
While I was making my two earlier EPs [2020's Take Time and 2021's When It's All Said And Done…Take Time], I was in the house all the time. I already had those stories because that was my first body of work, that was my introduction to the world. But with Give or Take, it's [written] within the last 18 to 24 months so I had to make sure I was actually going out and living life.
I wanted to make sure my routines consisted of just me actually giving myself a chance to live life, to be able to create these stories because I create the music in real time. Any minor inconvenience. I'm writing a story about it.
I will use my notes app or I'll do a voice note. When I was actually recording, I loved to have candles lit in my home studio and some tea with honey in it. I have a tea bar set up at my house now and I'm making it an actual thing. I don't have a name for it yet. I might call it Gibbys…
I love how lights have taken a meaningful form in your music videos and album covers. From the EP, Take Time to the music video of your latest single, "Lie Again" where downtown L.A. was lit with larger-than-life spotlights, really setting the stage for your takeover now. What about the hyper-visibility you have now has made you keenly aware of the impact of your art?
There is more pressure to perform, but I already have enough of that on myself. Especially, when it comes to exploring a new sound, I have to slowly and gradually introduce it to anyone who is a supporter or a fan of my music, or they'll be like: What is this?
I have to think of it as a visual artist. There are so many different sounds and so many different worlds. When a painter only paints in colors black and white. Eventually, they're going to start putting more color on a canvas but the way the consumer views this is unfamiliar. Why are you adding pink? Why are you adding this?
So you kind of have to slowly add new elements — the colors. To avoid a sense of shock.
You are obviously no stranger to heartbreak and all of its darkest moments. Do you think your natural impulse as an artist is to write music when you are feeling more intense emotions?
The moment I have an inconvenience or a bad day, that's when I need to go tell my phone about it or tell my microphone about it, and it makes me feel better.
Music is therapeutic and writing is therapeutic. Oftentimes, when I'm feeling down or when I need therapy, I create music. When I'm happy, I'm just outside being happy.I'm just running around feeling good.
Do moments of joy stimulate the same type of creative rhythm?
I'm so big on enjoying when I feel good and just taking it for what it's worth and milking it. My happiness really stems from being with family, friends, laughter, and good food.
In "Make you mine," there is a monologue where you discuss taking time to listen. What time have you taken for yourself this past year?
I've been having a lot more days of going outside. Self care days. I'm big on skin. I love to get massages. Mani pedis. I love to get a haircut. I love to shop. I want to always make sure I keep up with the simple things.
What is the significance of the dates July 16th and December 11th, which are both song titles in Give or Take?
I wanted it to feel like there was a timeline being told throughout the project, but without it being overbearing. Just two dates. In December I was on tour and that song is specifically about a moment on tour.
It kind of just creates the timeline for the rest of the album especially with what is about to happen on July 16th.
You take on different sounds sonically on Give or Take, and there are so many string instrumentals. How did you map out sounds for this debut album?
I needed this album to sound elevated, bigger, and more cinematic than my last work. With my last body of work, I wanted my voice to be the star because it was my introduction; the introduction of my voice to the world to everyone. So, I wanted everything minimal on the last project as far as production and all that.
For Give or Take, I wanted it to feel just like a movie as if you were in my life for 42 minutes.
R&B music thrives when heartbreak is confronted and seen through. What about the muse of heartbreak has been so eye-opening for your musical and personal healing?
Music about heartbreak offers so much comfort for anyone — and heartbreak doesn't discriminate.You can get your heart broken at 5 or you could get your heart broken at 80. I think that it is just an infinite muse at this point.
There are so many stories that can be told around heartbreak and it could be romantic or it could be your heart broken from an experience. I am just trying to tell the infinite amount of experiences of heartbreak that can occur, 15 songs at a time.