Multi-platinum seven-time GRAMMY® nominee GIVĒON continues his sophomore chapter with the release of his new single and video, “Rather Be.” The new single and its Loris Russier-directed music video are available now.
“Rather Be” is GIVĒON at his most comfortable: vulnerable, confident and unafraid to let his vocal range do some heavy lifting. The ballad is produced by Sevn Thomas, Maneesh, Matthew Burnett, jeff gitty and jahaan sweet and incorporates the bells and whistles fans have come to love from the Long Beach native, from the horns peppered throughout its instrumental to the intimacy and dashing fashion of its music video. Following the release of the cathartic lead single from his new campaign, “Twenties,” GIVĒON is generating impressive momentum, and pouring his heart into each lyric along the way.
The Russier-directed cut is an elegant montage of GIVĒON and his sleek troupe adorning airy spaces with a live rendition of the new song, as GIVĒON, the protagonist, tries to get comfortable with his love interest. Russier deftly plays with planes of space and symmetry to create a unique backdrop for the singer and his suit-clad crew.
“This song is a reflection on acceptance. The idea of seeing someone’s flaws and choosing to stay,” GIVĒON said about “Rather Be. “It’s about loving someone not for who they could be, but for who they are, and realizing that real connection isn’t about starting over, it’s about holding on.”
As fans eagerly anticipate his sophomore project, GIVĒON’s 2025 has already been one to remember. He celebrated the five-year anniversary of his breakout project, 2020’s TAKE TIME EP, with an intimate performance earlier this year in Los Angeles, attended by the likes of Epic Chairwoman Sylvia Rhone, Lena Waithe, Amerie and Jimmy Jam.
Shortly afterwards, “Twenties” notched a slot within the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart and went on to achieve a Top 20 position on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart. The song’s music video has already surpassed 12 million YouTube views and earned GIVĒON the fourth Hot 100 hit of his solo career.
Earlier this month at Prada’s prestigious annual pre-Met Gala event, GIVĒON took the stage to perform “Twenties” live for a crowd that included Tracee Ellis Ross and Hunter Schafer. This summer, GIVĒON is up for a 2025 BET Award, ‘Best Collaboration,’ for his collaboration with Teddy Swims, “Are You Even Real.”
