GRAMMY-nominated artist DESTIN CONRAD expands his sonic universe with “NERVOUS,” the first single from his upcoming reggae album, out now via ABOVE GROUND/EMPIRE. Produced by longtime collaborator Louie Lastic, the track blends the smoothness of R&B with a syncopated, multi-layered dancehall groove. Brimming with playfulness and charisma, DESTIN rides the riddim with effortless vocals and slick wordplay, delivering a high-energy summer record powered by the kind of confidence that makes everyone else nervous.
Alongside the track, DESTIN drops a sultry visual directed by Zev York, bringing the record’svibrant spirit to life. Styled in bold colors and statement prints, DESTIN and a crew of friends flow naturally through a collective rhythm of bubbling waistlines and sharp footwork, offering an open invitation into a world that is entirely his own.
“Flowing between R&B and jazz inspired me to keep being curious about how far I can expand my sound,” DESTIN shares. “‘NERVOUS’ carries that same off-the-cuff freedom, so it was an opportunity to really stand in and own that part of me. It feels good to honor my Jamaican roots and make something fun that completely challenges what people might expect.”
Fresh off selling out Sony Hall for the Blue Note Jazz Festival, DESTIN hits the Montreal Jazz Festival on July 1. On July 17, he launches the second leg of his wHIMSY! tour in St. Louis, stopping in Nashville, Orlando, and Raleigh. After completely selling out the tour’s first leg, which included multiple nights in Los Angeles and New York City, plus dates in Boston and Philadelphia, his summer run expands to massive festival stages, including Lollapalooza, Outside Lands, Japan’s Summer Sonic, then Broccoli City this fall. Tickets for all dates are available at destinconrad.com.
DESTIN CONRAD is cementing his status as one of modern music’s most vital vanguards, continuously redefining boundaries through pure artistic autonomy. This visionary approach anchored his critically acclaimed alt-jazz album wHIMSY! earlier this year, which featured collaborations with Terrace Martin, James Fauntleroy, Keyon Harrold, Vanisha Gould, and Ambré. The project debuted at No. 1 on Apple Music’s Jazz Chart and No. 3 on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Chart, with VIBE naming it “one of the best albums of the year” and The Los Angeles Times calling it “a masterclass.” This follows a defining 2025 run for his debut albumLOVE ON DIGITAL, which earned a solo GRAMMY nomination for Best Progressive R&B Album, was named the #1 R&B Album of the year by Billboard, and surpassed 60 million global streams. Dictating the culture on his own terms with every release, DESTIN continues to solidify himself as an undeniable multi-genre authority that turns his next sonic evolution into a testament to pure artistic freedom.
DESTIN continues to extend his presence across both stage and studio, pushing his artistry far beyond the boundaries of any single genre. From a global headlining tour to standout performances for NPR Tiny Desk, COLORS, and the BETX Fan Fest, his fluid sound has made him a highly sought-after collaborator across the international landscape. Recently, he amplified his global footprint by teaming up with Latin superstar Young Miko on “no debo 🙁”, joining UK standout kwn on “all fours” for her new album all pride aside, collaborating with Kehlani on “BAD BITCHES,” and appearing in PinkPantheress’ “Romeo” music video. This momentum carried into the 2026 BET Awards, where DESTIN earned a Best New Artist nomination and a career-defining co-sign from music icon Janet Jackson, fresh off being named BET Amplified’s Artist of the Month in June. While NME declares he “has become a key voice in contemporary R&B,” DESTIN’s multi-dimensional influence transcends fashion and culture, evident through partnerships with Dr. Martens, Who Decides War, D’USSE, and NYX Cosmetics. Widely featured across Billboard, Essence, V Magazine, MTV, GENIUS, Wonderland, Rolling Stone/VIBE, ABC News Live, and The Travis Mills Show, he has also covered NME, Numéro Netherlands, Gay Times, NOTION, and YAMS Magazine. Blending intimacy, experimentation, and storytelling, CONRAD stands as one of modern music’s most adventurous voices, actively shaping the sound and direction of the global landscape.
Moving seamlessly between R&B, jazz, and now reggae, DESTIN CONRAD augments his evolving trajectory with a raw, emotional honesty. Artistically liberated, he charts his path entirely by his own rules, commanding his craft as a definitive cultural force.
