GIVĒON, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander & Simon Gebrelul On the Intersection of Sports & Music

Billboard cover stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and GIVĒON sit down with manager Simon Gebrelul to talk about the sports and music connection and what it takes to build real longevity. From pressure and accountability to discipline, creativity and business, the trio breaks down how they navigate two worlds at the highest level. Shai opens up about MJ comparisons, his interest in music, motivation and what’s in heavy rotation on his playlist. GIVĒON talks about his next goals, his growth trajectory, how he met SGA and Simon, and more! 00:00 Intro 00:22 Setting the scene: Paycom Center + Sports & Music Issue 00:49 How Simon Gebrelul pushes longevity + leverage 01:25 Shai on friendship, business mindset & “wizard” Simon 02:06 Why sports and music are closer than ever 02:45 Discipline, touring, and athletes vs. musicians 03:48 Shai’s bars + love of music 04:41 Managing pressure across sports vs. music 06:36 GIVĒON’s next goals: arena tour + Grammy 07:23 How Shai and GIVĒON first met 09:23 GIVĒON’s growth (live shows, festivals, creative control) 09:27 Shai on motivation after winning it all 10:13 Shai on MJ comparisons and building his own legacy 11:15 GIVĒON on ranking himself + “garden” analogy 12:03 Simon on R&B’s resurgence 13:31 Shai’s 2025 playlist 13:55 Balancing tour life + playoff runs 16:06 Managing producers behind the scenes 17:47 Internal battles: impostor syndrome, saying no, complacency 21:15 What accountability looks like: “the truth” 22:53 GIVĒON on sensitivity in songwriting 23:52 Shai on thick skin + no-excuses upbringing 24:55 Simon on keeping AILA “family,” not a big-box company 27:42 One word for this chapter: consistency, growth, balance 30:00 Wrap ►► Subscribe for more music news: http://blbrd.cm/Proracf ►► See our latest videos: http://blbrd.cm/xOgw6VQ About: Billboard is the world's most influential music media brand, with an unmatched authority among artists, fans and the industry. Billboard powers the ultimate global music destination and magazine, featuring unrivaled reporting on music news, issues and trends, the industry’s definitive charts, encompassing the most complete and well respected database of charts across all music genres, and elite conferences and events which regularly convene the industry and consumers around important conversations. Connect with Billboard Online: Visit the website: http://blbrd.cm/s5w4vTm Likes us on Facebook: http://blbrd.cm/ks26yg5 Follow us on Twitter: http://blbrd.cm/uRNqRoN Follow us on Instagram: http://blbrd.cm/6QaTrhn #GIVEON #shaigilgeousalexander #SimonGebrelul #InConversation #BillboardCover GIVĒON, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander & Simon Gebrelul On the Intersection of Sports & Music | In Conversation Billboard https://youtube.com/billboard

Added 8 May 2026