Eight-Time GRAMMY®-Nominated Singer GIVĒON Calls on Leon Thomas and Teddy Swims for BELOVED: ACT II
“The music…is nothing short of intense”
—NPR
Just off last year's GRAMMY® nomination for BELOVED, GIVĒON extends the story with BELOVED: ACT II, adding a new collaborative dimension to the album’s rich, orchestral R&B world. Among the standouts is “JEZEBEL,” which picks up the pace while leaving plenty of room for that unmistakable baritone to do its work. Its accompanying music video, directed by Loris Russier, continues the romantic storyline threaded through GIVĒON’s recent visuals and gives the song its own sleek, cinematic setting. “DON’T LEAVE,” with its beautiful arrangement, brings the focus back to the emotional push and pull that GIVĒON handles so well, balancing restraint with the kind of vulnerability that has become central to his songwriting.
The expanded project also opens the door to collaborations that feel right at home in the BELOVED universe. “KEEPER,” featuring Teddy Swims, pairs two instantly recognizable voices, adding a new dynamic to one of the original album’s highlights. On “FOOL ME ONCE,” GIVĒON joins Leon Thomas for a thoughtful look at the frustration—and self-recrimination—that can follow a complicated relationship. Rather than simply adding extra tracks to an already complete album, BELOVED: ACT II gives GIVĒON room to revisit its themes of love, regret and emotional accountability from a few different angles.
Long Beach native GIVĒON has built his career around a voice that needs little introduction: deep, warm and immediately recognizable. The eight-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated singer-songwriter emerged as one of contemporary R&B’s distinctive voices through projects including TAKE TIME, When It’s All Said and Done, and Give or Take, leading into 2025’s GRAMMY®-nominated BELOVED. His approach draws from classic soul and R&B traditions while maintaining a modern sense of intimacy, with live instrumentation and careful arrangements playing an increasingly important role in his sound. With BELOVED: ACT II, GIVĒON adds another layer to an already significant chapter in his catalog, proving there’s still more to say after you think the story is finished.
For more information on GIVĒON, visit GiveonOfficial.com.
REVIEWS
“Pushes his sound into new textures” —Ebony
“Stepping outside of his comfort zone” —Ebony
“Act II widen[s] the frame” —Ebony
“GIVĒON is still in motion” —Ebony
“A deeply felt R&B album rooted in heartbreak, solace and hope” —Billboard
“GIVĒON unabashedly pokes at all our vulnerabilities” —NPR
“The music…is nothing short of intense” —NPR
