Destin Conrad Is More Ready Than Ever

Following the release of his latest single, the Tampa-born singer talks life on the road and the record he’s most proud of.

In 2025, Destin Conrad ticked off a debut album release, rebrand, sophomore record and left the year with a Grammy nomination in tow. Following April first LP Love on Digital – the one that scored the Recording Academy nod – he tried his hand at alt jazz for its August follow-up wHIMSY.  A month later, he was on a 47-date world tour that would sprawl across the year’s final quarter. 

There’s a confidence and self-assurance that radiates from the 25-year-old, evident in his genre-hopping of last year and his recent Tiny Desk Concert debut, as he seamlessly weaves between his two albums and sounds on the iconic live platform. He even reimagined tracks with new melodies and cadences, from hit tracks like “KISSING IN PUBLIC” to deep cuts like “LOVE!”. 

However, as 2026 takes hold, Conrad is an artist reluctant to rest on his wins gone by. He dropped his first single of the year only 13 days in (Terrace Martin team-up “NOTHING IS REAL”), proving the next 12 months are simply more space to ease into that groove he’s already turning heads for.

Below, Conrad tells Man About Town about refining his new sound, working with more instrumentalists and his most unexpected collaborator. 

You tapped into some alt jazz for your album “wHIMSY”. What was the thought process behind that move?

I’ve been a fan of jazz forever. I was even in jazz band in high school. Once I started making music, I knew it was something I would want to do.

How did you find your creative process differed when tackling a new sound?

I worked with a lot more instrumentalists than other projects. Before “wHIMSY”, there were a lot more digital influences.

Congratulations on your Grammy nomination! Could you paint the picture of the moment you found out?

I was on my tour bus at the end of the US run for the album. My team found out and came back to wake me up and surprise me. It was a crazy moment because I had just been very sick and was in a daze when it all happened. Then we all took a shot of tequila at 8 am to celebrate. 

What’s the song you’re most proud of on the record?

“KISSING IN PUBLIC” because it’s such a feel-good song. It’s also the first song I made while I was working on another project. I knew it felt bigger and was meant to be saved for my album. 

You were on a hectic 47-date international tour last year. What was your favourite and least favourite thing about life on the road?

My favourite thing was seeing people and all the different faces of my fans. It makes everything real for me. My least favourite thing is being away from home and my cat, Smudge.

Could you give us some tour essentials?

My tour essentials are lots of vitamins and water to keep myself healthy because it’s such a long process. I also need a lot of tequila and really good people around me. 

With features with Kehlani, Lil Nas X and even a cameo on PinkPantheress’s music video – nailing a collaboration seems like second nature to you. What’s the linkup that you’ve done that you didn’t expect would happen?

Definitely Musiq Soulchild. Shout out to Spotify for putting that together for their Spotify Singles project. It was a dream come true. 

Now that you’ve tried your hand at jazz, what can we expect from your next project?

I want to continue with more genre-bending music. I look forward to exploring and studying music to try new things and see what works for me. 

Photography by @ryd.der