GIVEON continues his impressive start to 2020 with the release of his acoustic performance video for “THE BEACH,” a sultry ode to his hometown of Long Beach, to which he attributes much of his demeanor.
The video, directed by TKTK, is an intimately minimal feature, as GIVEON ambles about a parked car as he and his guitarist serenade an empty parking lot due to COVID-19 quarantine closures. The parking lot, which is beside Long Beach Polytechnic High School, wasn’t selected randomly.
“Anyone from Long Beach recognizes that Poly is responsible for many NBA players, NFL players and Entertainers; Most notable being Snoop Dogg,” says GIVEON about the historical centerpiece of his new video. “For that reason I take pride in being an alumni of LBP. I’m excited to be a part of moving the culture forward in the city and shining light on what LB is. It’s honestly iconic.”
Furthermore, GIVEON was forced to execute his art in the midst of COVID-19 complications.
“It was interesting filming during these times,” he recalls. “Trying to navigate while wearing masks and staying 6 feet away was tricky. We were fortunate enough to make it work.”
After stealing the show on Drake’s surprise release “Chicago Freestyle” earlier this year, curiosity about the somber brilliance of GIVEON rose quickly. He responded earnestly with the eight-track Take Time EP, which includes “The Beach,” and now has the R&B scene brimming with enthusiasm over his potential.
As the critics at Teen Vogue put it, “Mellow music is always in high demand and GIVEON is keenly aware of this. The Long Beach-bred singer releases his debut EP Take Time today with the intention of showcasing his calming, baritone vocals but also storytelling.”