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

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!

Carl Lamarre: We are here at the Paycom Center here in Oklahoma City. First and foremost, we are here celebrating our sports and music issues with the cover stars. I first want to address this to Shai and Giv. Obviously, you guys come from two different worlds, sports and music. I would love for y’all to touch on how Simon has been able to help y’all think long term about success and longevity and what that looks like under his watch.

GIVĒON: I mean, for me, when I met them, I was still a server. I was kind of antsy about everything when it comes to deals. I wanted to do everything right away. And like, the biggest thing he taught me about longevity was building up your leverage, and that comes with quality, that comes with being patient, and it’s just like having some business acumen too. I think that’s the biggest, one of the biggest takeaways.

I remember you were dog walking too back in the day.

GIVĒON: Yeah, I always had a little entrepreneurial spirit. 

I was gonna say you got the hustler spirit in you. 

GIVĒON: I hated that s*** though. I miss the dogs, though, but I’d rather be doing this.

I ain’t mad at that. What about you Shai?

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Yeah, for me, he came into my, like, my life as a friend at first, and our relationship was just organic. I had an approach on the court that I had really honed in on and, like, understood, like you said, longevity, being a professional and those types of things. But he really showed me how to, like take that approach in the business side of life in the world, and from there, everything skyrocketed. He unlocked a bunch of doors I’d never even seen. He changed my life, for sure.

GIVĒON: And he is a wizard. He really is a wizard.

I mean, brother man. Brother man. I mean, listen, you know, we’re here obviously, before the sports and music issue, you’re at the heart of it with two superstars. Why do you think now, more than ever, sports and music is so like, tightly conjoined. The worlds, why are they like so close together right now?

Keep watching for more!