GIVĒON started his year with a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Album. Though he didn’t take home the trophy, the acknowledgement was proof that the Up Next alum was already making his presence known even as his career was still blossoming. In 2020, he’d released two EPs—TAKE TIME, which earned him the nod, and When It’s All Said and Done. Both showcased his buttery smooth baritone and a preternatural ability to transmit the tenderness and pain of love; in particular, single “Heartbreak Anniversary” has continued to tug at our heartstrings for nearly two years. The stirring ballad got a new life on TikTok around March, as fans ran up the streams and made it a viral sensation. At the time, it looked to be on track to become his most commercially successful release, peaking at No. 16 on the Hot 100, but another feature took him higher. He joined Justin Bieber and Daniel Caesar on “Peaches” to earn his first No. 1 single and his first award, Best Pop at the VMAs. In all, GIVĒON has accumulated over 600 million streams, and we’re proud to crown him 2021’s R&B breakout artist of the year. Revisit his catalogue—including his latest, “For Tonight”—as well as other standout R&B from the past year.