Giveon is a talented singer and songwriter known for his smooth and deep voice. He gained popularity with his soulful R&B music, captivating listeners with heartfelt lyrics and emotional melodies. His unique sound has made him a rising star in the music industry.
1) But looking back, whenever I'd perform or anything I always gave it my all, no matter what. Even if I didn't know what exactly music could lead to for me, I always believed in myself and had faith in my abilities.
Whenever I performed, I always gave it everything I had, even without knowing where music would take me. I believed in myself and had faith in my abilities, and looking back, that's what helped me succeed.
2) I think people could get obsessed with the idea of perfection. So with that, you kind of stray away from your raw imperfections. Like, I don't think people realize that people are OK with you missing a note here or hearing the rasp in your voice.
Sometimes, people become obsessed with being perfect. But in doing so, they forget about their unique imperfections. It's important to remember that others accept and appreciate the small flaws, like missing a note or having a raspy voice.
3) My debut project was during a pandemic, so I was in the house and never got to see the people who listened.
My first project came out when everyone was stuck at home due to the pandemic. It was a bummer because I couldn't see the people who listened to it and connect with them in person.
4) I grew up in Long Beach during a transitional phase. It's a lot better now, but there was a time when it was the peak of gang culture. That's a crazy thing to be born into.
When I was growing up in Long Beach, things were changing a lot. Nowadays, it's much improved, but back then, gangs were a big part of the city. It was a wild experience to be born into that environment.
5) My approach to writing is, that it's either going to be a personal story about me and what I've personally been through, or it's going to be inspired by a friend.
When I write, I focus on two things: sharing my own personal experiences or drawing inspiration from my friends. This way, my writing becomes either a story about me or a story inspired by someone close to me.
6) Sometimes I'll have words or concepts written down before I have any type of music or anything. So when I have that, sometimes I just hear a beat and, if I feel like it'll match with the story that I have written down sonically, then I'll just pair them together.
Sometimes I write down words or ideas even before I have any music. Then, when I hear a beat that I think goes well with the story I've written, I put them together. It's like finding the perfect puzzle pieces for my songs.
7) Like any black kid on a Sunday, your mom's cleaning the house to music. So that was, like, my very first memory. My mom has it in the background with incense lit.
When I was a child, I remember my mom cleaning the house on Sundays. She would play music and light incense, creating a special atmosphere. It's a cherished memory of mine, like a tradition that made our home feel cozy and vibrant.
8) The hardest part is writing a song as a story. A song is so short and there are only so many words that every line has to hit. The words have to flow. You can't say certain words that sound weird next to each other, and you can't repeat words too much.
Writing a song as a story is challenging because it's short and every line must be powerful. The words need to flow smoothly without odd combinations or repetitions. It's like solving a puzzle with limited pieces.
9) I remember Gayle King popped up on the screen, wearing a green dress - I'll never forget it - to announce the best R&B album category, and when she said my name I could not believe it. After that, I closed my laptop. I didn't need to hear anything else.
Gayle King appeared on the screen in a memorable green dress and announced the best R&B album category. When she called out the person's name, they were so shocked and happy that they closed their laptop, not needing to hear anything more.
10) Yeah, I used to write short stories at first, but once you work on something, you want to show people. My peers weren't interested in me reading 30-40 pages to them.
In the beginning, I wrote short stories, but then I wanted to share my work. However, my friends didn't have time to listen to long stories. So, I had to find a different way to get my ideas across.
11) So I did a program with the Recording Academy and the Grammy Museum. So pretty much they take, like, one hundred kids during the summer and for a week or two every day they go over something different in music history. Then during the music history part of the program, they would just tell us about the different eras.
I joined a cool program by the Recording Academy and the Grammy Museum. They selected a hundred kids for a summer program where we learned about different aspects of music history every day. We got to explore various eras and learn interesting things.
12) Recognize that you always have room to grow and that there is always going to be someone better than you and that you can learn a lot from those people.
Remember, there's always room to improve and someone who's more skilled. But don't feel discouraged! Embrace the opportunity to learn from them. They can teach you valuable lessons and help you grow.
13) Music is a diary. Sometimes people make music as if no one's going to hear it, as if they can just be completely honest. Things are a lot more acceptable said in a song than they would be in person. Art excuses a lot of things.
Music is like a personal diary. Sometimes, people create music as if no one will listen, allowing them to be completely honest. Songs can express things that are difficult to say in person, and art allows for greater acceptance and understanding.
14) My mom was born in the 70s, but grew up in the 90s, seeing all types of things. Because of her PTSD, she sheltered us from all of it as best as she could. There was a lot going on around us that we didn't even know because my mom kept us in a bubble.
My mom was born in the 70s but experienced life in the 90s, witnessing many things. Due to her PTSD, she tried to protect us by keeping us sheltered. We were unaware of much happening around us because mom kept us in a safe bubble.
15) I was doing unemployment for a little bit and then I started a dog-walking business in my neighborhood. I went to FedEx and started printing out some flyers and hung them up around my neighborhood. Then I started walking people's dogs for a couple of months.
After being unemployed for a while, I decided to start a dog-walking business in my neighborhood. I printed flyers at FedEx and put them up around the area. Soon, I began walking people's dogs and did it for a few months.
16) I feel like, at this point in the world of just creating anything, you're not going to be able to create anything new. I think the closest thing you're going to get to originality is a mixture of influences.
In a world where everything has been created, it's hard to come up with something completely new. The best we can do is combine different influences in a unique way, creating something that feels fresh and original.
17) I love to write music, watch a Pixar films, or play video games with my family and friends.
I find joy in creating music, enjoying Pixar movies, and playing video games with my loved ones. These activities allow me to express myself, have fun, and create lasting memories with the people I care about.
18) I'm a minimalist, for sure. A couple of homies saw Kanye West's crib with barely anything in it and thought it looked weird. To me, it looks perfect. Clutter gives me anxiety.
I love being a minimalist. Some friends found Kanye West's house with very few things strange, but I think it's perfect. Having too much stuff makes me anxious.
19) The way I write, I need to tell the true story. I can't just make a story up. So I have to let things happen to me and allow myself to work through my thoughts.
When I write, I prefer to tell real stories instead of making things up. It's important for me to experience events and let them shape my thoughts. This way, I can authentically work through my ideas and share them with others.
20) I think of my body of work as a story that flows and plays in my mind like a film.
My creative work is like a story that unfolds in my mind, just like a movie. I imagine scenes and characters, and it all comes together like a flowing, entertaining film that I can't wait to share.
21) In a film, there are dramatic moments and a bunch of different moments that lead up to a dramatic moment. On some songs, I try to paint the picture of before that drama happens, so by the time you get to the end of the project you've experienced infatuation and intimacy before it dives off to drama.
In movies, there are exciting parts and many other scenes that build up to those exciting moments. Similarly, in some songs, I create a picture of what happens before the excitement. By the end, you'll have felt love and closeness before it takes a dramatic turn.
22) For me to be able to experience Paris for the first time with Chanel was a dream come true. I loved the nostalgia of it all.
It was a dream come true to visit Paris with Chanel for the first time. The experience was filled with nostalgia, and I cherished every moment of it.
23) To have the sound I have, to pretty much close out a festival, it's something I didn't see much of in school. It was always pop singers and rappers. It's so cool to see that space for R&B getting bigger.
Having a unique sound and closing out a festival is rare, especially in schools where pop singers and rappers dominate. It's exciting to witness R&B music gaining more recognition and finding its place in the spotlight.
24) I think if you go back to the '60s and '70s, that music felt newer, you were hearing stories told for the first time.
In the '60s and '70s, the music felt fresh and exciting because it told stories that hadn't been heard before. It was like discovering something new and different, making the experience special and memorable.
25) I have such a personal life history with R&B - it's the first music I remember hearing, and it feels like a family tradition.
R&B music holds a special place in my heart because it's the first music I ever listened to. It feels like a part of my family's heritage, and it brings back cherished memories from my personal history.
26) In the studio, I like to have the music first: I'll sit with the music for like an hour, on a loop, and just let it tell me what it feels I should do.
When I'm in the studio, I prefer starting with the music. I listen to it repeatedly for an hour, letting it guide me on what I should do. The music tells me how it wants to be expressed.
27) I would hope the first heartbreak anniversary is the only time you feel it, and then after that, you don't really even notice.
The first time your heart gets broken is tough, but I hope it's the only time you feel that pain. As time goes on, you'll gradually stop noticing it and move on to happier things.
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