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In a special Driven by Legacy episode of Billboard Presents, presented by Lexus, eight-time Grammy nominee GIVĒON takes Billboard’s Carl Lamarre on a nostalgic ride through his beloved hometown of Long Beach, California, revisiting the people, places and memories that shaped his journey to stardom.
From bringing a student to tears during a surprise visit to his alma mater, Long Beach Poly High School, to returning to Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., GIVĒON reflects on his humble beginnings. He also stops by Fingerprints Records, the local record store where his own albums now line the shelves — a full-circle moment years in the making.
From teenage dreams of stardom to performing at Madison Square Garden, the hometown hero reveals a more personal side of himself, celebrating the roots that shaped his sound, the community that raised him and the West Coast legacy that continues to drive him forward.
Carl Lamarre:
Long Beach has always been a city that writes its own rules when it comes to West Coast hip-hop and R&B. I’m Carl Lamarre, executive editor of R&B/hip-hop at Billboard, and today, in the first ever 2027 Lexus TZ, I’m exploring how building a lasting legacy isn’t just about where you’re headed; it’s about the intentional roots and human connections that have paved the way. GIVĒON has made it through real emotion and songs that people can connect with. He’s taking me through his hometown of Long Beach to show me the culture, places and memories that shaped him and the legacy that continues to drive him forward. GIVĒON, my brother.
GIVĒON:
What’s up, man?
How you doing?
It’s good. Always nice to see you.
Yeah, it’s always a pleasure, man. This looks like a special location. Tell us where we are.
So we are at Long Beach Poly High School, my high school. Class of 2013.
2013. Why are we here?
I don’t know. No, I’m just playing. I just wanted to just like a like a victory lap.
Right.
Pay homage. Any chance I get to put a spotlight on Long Beach, I want to do that. I want to do it a little more too. So I think it’s going to be special for the kids that go here as well.
I mean, listen, being in these hallways, like what instant memories pop out for you?
I mean, I tried to stay out the office, but sometimes I was just sleeping because I was I would do morning practice as well.
OK.
What wrestling?
Oh, we gon’ talk about that.
So we’d have to get here before school. Practice, shower, and then go to class.
That’s pretty nuts. I don’t know why the hell I was doing all that. What the hell? Oh my God!
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