Destin Conrad is The “DADAMAN” FT KWN
GRAMMY-nominated multi-hyphenate DESTIN CONRAD releases the video for “DADAMAN” featuring breakout singer/songwriter/producer kwn, ROADRUNNER’s sultry focus track built on a heavy riddim and driving bassline. Directed by Zev York, the visual puts DESTIN in the role of Mr. E, the boss with the money, confidence, and charisma to run the room. Set in an office where the rules are his own, DESTIN and kwn bring the song’s self-assured energy to life alongside some of the finest whines in the room, with a special appearance by Justine Skye.
DESTIN CONRAD recently released ROADRUNNER via ABOVE GROUND/EMPIRE, an ode to his Jamaican heritage that brings reggae and dancehall into his ever-evolving approach to contemporary R&B. Drawing from the sounds and culture that shaped him, ROADRUNNER explores identity, desire, and discovery while reflecting the freedom DESTIN has always given himself to follow his instincts. Featuring kwn, Amanda Reifer, and Stalk Ashley, the project debuted at No. 1 on Apple Music’s Reggae chart, with “CHI CHI” appearing on The Guardian’s playlist of the week’s best new tracks. The FADER sat down with DESTIN to discuss the making of ROADRUNNER, including his work with kwn and the process of clearing legendary dancehall samples. Forbes describes the project as “both like a homecoming and a new beginning,” while Billboard honored DESTIN as the 2026 R&B Rising Star and praised him for approaching “R&B as merely a starting point” and highlighting his “own inimitable star quality.”
Across ROADRUNNER, DESTIN moves between airy R&B melodies and reggae-inflected rhythms, with “FAVORITE LOVER” giving a lighter touch through its syncopated bassline and Jamaica-shot visual, which moves through intimate vignettes and coastal landscapes. “I LOVE YOUR BODY” brings a flirtatious charge, while “NERVOUS,” produced by longtime collaborator Louie Lastic, leans into a syncopated groove sampling the viral “Midu Mountain Song.”
ROADRUNNER follows a strong run for DESTIN, including the critically acclaimed wHIMSY!, which debuted at No. 1 on Apple Music’s Jazz chart and No. 3 on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Albums chart, and LOVE ON DIGITAL, which earned a GRAMMY nomination for Best Progressive R&B Album, was named Billboard’s No. 1 R&B Album of the year, and surpassed 60 million global streams. DESTIN will perform at RNB X Live in Dallas on Sunday, November 1, 2026, Spotify’s first standalone R&B concert event, following recent appearances at Billboard R&B Hip-Hop Live at Brooklyn Steel, Broccoli City, Lollapalooza, Outside Lands, and Japan’s Summer Sonic. Earlier this summer, he sold out Sony Hall for the Blue Note Jazz Festival and performed at the Montreal Jazz Festival, following the sold-out wHIMSY! tour, which included multiple nights in Los Angeles and New York City.
From a global headlining tour to standout performances on NPR Tiny Desk, COLORS, and BETX Fan Fest, DESTIN has continued to move between music, fashion, and culture on his own terms. He joined Young Miko on “no debo 🙁,” earning a Latin GRAMMY nomination for his songwriting work on Young Miko’s Do Not Disturb: Late Checkout, collaborated with kwn on “all fours” and on Ambré’s “Destin’s Interlude,” teamed up with Kehlani on “BAD BITCHES,” and appeared in PinkPantheress’ “Romeo” music video. The recognition continued at the 2026 BET Awards, where DESTIN earned a Best New Artist nomination and received a co-sign from Janet Jackson, following his recognition as BET Amplified’s Artist of the Month in June. Declared “a key voice in contemporary R&B” by NME, DESTIN has also partnered with Dr. Martens, Who Decides War, D’USSE, and NYX Cosmetics, and was included in GQ’s September Music Portfolio. He has also been featured across Billboard, Essence, V Magazine, MTV, GENIUS, Los Angeles Times, Wonderland, Rolling Stone/VIBE, ABC News Live, Gay Times, NOTION, Numéro Netherlands, and YAMS Magazine.
For DESTIN CONRAD, R&B, jazz, reggae, and dancehall are all part of the same conversation, with each project revealing another side of an artist who trusts his own instincts.
PC: Ryder