DESTIN CONRAD is an artist in motion, both literally and creatively. Raised in Tampa and first recognised for his viral humour on Vine, he has since evolved into one of R&B’s most magnetic new voices. Now based in Los Angeles and speaking to us from Paris during Men’s Fashion Week, DESTIN finds himself at a pivotal moment defined by visibility, reinvention, and artistic clarity. His debut album, Love on Digital, features standout collaborations with Kehlani, serpentwithfeet, Lil Nas X, and Teezo Touchdown, and dives deep into themes of intimacy, queer love, and vulnerability in a hyper-connected world shaped by FaceTime, voice notes, and digital longing. As part of this exclusive, DESTIN also appears in a visual collaboration with G-SHOCK, sporting the GA-V01 watch, one of the brand’s signature bold timepieces.
From the playful choreography of Kissing in Public to the emotional pull of Dellusional and the unapologetic energy of Bad Bitches, Love on Digital offers a cinematic, diaristic look at love in the digital age. In our conversation, DESTIN reflects on his creative evolution, from co-writing on Kehlani’s It Was Good Until It Wasn’t, to playing sold-out headline shows across Europe and the U.S., and releasing back-to-back projects Submissive and Submissive 2. DESTIN CONRAD isn’t just reshaping the genre; he’s claiming his space in it, unapologetically and entirely on his own terms.
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Hi DESTIN! How have you been lately, and where are you checking in from today?
I’m great, I’m in Paris right now for Men’s Fashion Week.
How did the shoot go? Did you feel at ease and able to fully express yourself?
Yes, I did. Everyone was so sweet.
Fashion clearly plays a big role in your life. How does it influence your artistry and creative expression?
I love fashion. It’s a key component of my creative expression.
Do you feel you’ve always expressed yourself through clothing, or have you ever used it to hide yourself?
It’s all about my mood. Some days I want to feel more comfortable, and some days I want to dress up, high fashion.
In January, you attended the KidSuper fashion show in Paris. How was that experience?
Beautiful! Colm is an absolute genius.
With so many exciting projects lined up for 2025, do you feel like you’re living the most exciting moment of your career? How does that energy feel?
Yes, and I feel like I’m constantly topping it. Every day, it gets better.
Two months ago, you released your debut album, Love on Digital, which has received great feedback from both the audience and the media. What does this release mean to you?
It’s the thing that I’m most proud of. It’s my first full body of work, so it’s been transcending for me.
Blending early Y2K nostalgia with next-gen production, the album captures both the thrill and fragility of intimacy in the digital age. What was the starting point for this project?
The starting point was being in Mexico and making Kissing in Public and having a clearer vision of what I wanted the album to sound like.
Do you remember the moment you felt you had completed it?
Yes, and it was very relieving.
Throughout the record, you explore intimacy, digital connection, and queer love in the modern age. What do you feel queer love is like in today’s society?
Queer love is beautiful and everywhere.
What is it like to be queer in the R&B scene?
It’s a nuance, and I feel like I wear it well.
You've mentioned that this album is a nod to the digital age of R&B (the early 2000s), when new software allowed music to move from fully instrumental to more digital sounds. What inspires you most about that era?
Just how different it was for that time, and it challenged how R&B was viewed.
Do you feel the music scene of the early 2000s was more exciting than it is today?
Yes, but there are also some newcomers, like myself, who are killing it.
The album features collaborations with serpentwithfeet, Kehlani, Teezo Touchdown, and Lil Nas X. Could you tell us more about how these creative alliances came about?
I’m friends with all of them, as well as a fan of their work. I was very intentional about having people involved who I admire and know in real life.
Do these creative partnerships come together smoothly, or is there a lot of back-and-forth to find the right vibe?
I feel like most of my collaborations have been pretty easy.
What has been the most important lesson you've learned since releasing your debut project, Colorway, back in 2021?
How different music feels when you perform it live.
The nine-track album, which included songs like Bill$, Lazy (featuring Swavay), and your hit In the Air, surpassed 120 million streams. Why do you think it resonated so well with the audience?
I think a lot of younger people could relate to what I was talking about. It was very honest.
How did you feel when you realised your music was being heard all over the world while your community of followers continued to grow?
I feel amazed and so shocked that it has travelled and continues to travel globally.
If we travel back in time a bit more, before you fully transitioned into music, we must talk about Vine, where you gained over a million followers. How do you remember that time?
It was my first experience of understanding how my career could expand as a talent.
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Why do you think you succeeded so much on Vine?
Because I was a hilarious little kid who did whatever.
What has changed since then, and what has remained intact?
I’m still funny, but I’m a grown man now who’s come into my own.
Have you ever felt impostor syndrome in your career? Have you ever feared not being taken seriously?
Yes, especially in the early stages of my career. I’m glad that’s not the case anymore.
Music is allowing you to travel around the world. 2023 marked your first headlining tour across Europe and the UK, with sold-out stops in Amsterdam, Paris, and three consecutive nights in London. How did you live that experience?
I really enjoyed it because I was unsure if people would buy tickets to see me as a headliner.
In 2024, you followed up with the dual projects Submissive and Submissive 2, playing almost fifty shows across the US, Europe, and the UK. How do you combine your professional and personal life? Is it difficult?
My personal life is intertwined with my professional life, and I’ve learned how to manage both pretty well.
What do you like to do in your free time to reconnect with yourself?
Go to the gym, meditate, treat myself to a nice meal, or go on a solo trip.
And what music do you listen to when travelling? Who are your favourite artists lately?
I listen to all music when I travel. Lately, I’ve been very into jazz.
You wrote on an album that was nominated for a Grammy. How did you, your family, and friends react?
We were all so happy. We celebrated and got drunk!
You've said that music videos are very important to you. What's that process like?
I brainstorm with a creative team and the director.
Which music video are you most proud of?
Kissing in Public.
Have you faced hate speech in the last few years?
Not really, no. If I have, then I’m not aware.
What's the best way to combat hatred?
Living life happily.
Do you feel the world is becoming more hostile and scary lately?
Yes, it is, and it’s really unfortunate what people are going through.
What message would you like to send to everyone who might not feel sure about what direction they should take, who might feel lost?
Identify what makes you happy and stick to it, and don’t let anyone steer you in another way.
And what advice would you give to your fifteen-year-old self?
Stop being so scared of the world and get out of your own head.
What is your biggest dream?
To buy my mom a house.
Last question, what can you tell us about your next projects for this year?
It’s a genre shift and a different world. It will be short and sweet.
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