IN CONVERSATION WITH CORBYN BESSON

interview by JANA LETONJA

Pop heartthrob Corbyn Besson is known best as one-fifth of the multi-billion streaming and arena headlining boy band Why Don’t We. He's embarking on a new era as a solo artist with the release of his new singles ‘Tied Up’ and 'Summer.' Later in 2025, Corbyn will also be releasing his highly anticipated debut EP, a sonically daring body of work that brings his sublimely smooth vocals to a feel-good form of R&B-pop, both warmly nostalgic and irresistibly forward-thinking. 

You just launched your new solo single. What does ‘Tied Up’ represent for you, both musically and personally?

‘Tied Up’ marks the start of a new era for me and my fans. I wrote this song with writer/producer Tenroc back in August of last year, and it became the creative breakthrough that inspired the rest of the music I’ll be releasing this year. The day we met to start writing for my project, Tenroc and I had a long conversation about who I thought I was and who I wanted to be as an artist, and we decided to experiment and push outside of my comfort zone just to see what happened. That day, ‘Tied Up’ was born and I realized all it took was being a little uncomfortable for a moment to find out what I was really capable of musically. This song means a lot to me because it was the beginning of something really special for me both personally and musically.

This track has such a confident, laid-back energy. Can you take us inside the creative process, what was the vibe in the studio?

The day we wrote ‘Tied Up’, we were listening to a bunch of old R&B records and a bunch of the early Justin Timberlake songs that launched his career. In particular, the songs ‘My Love’ and ‘Summer Love’, which happen to be two of my favorite songs of his. We decided we wanted to try something that lived in the same world as those records, but also felt modern and fresh. A lot of the drums and synth work is inspired by those tracks.

You collaborated with some serious heavyweights, like Hit-Boy, Tenroc, Trevor Muzzy. What did you learn from working with them, and how did they help you elevate your sound?

They are some of the most talented creatives I’ve had the pleasure of working with in my career thus far. They brought out something I didn’t know I had in me and really helped shape the overall sound of my upcoming project. I’m super grateful for all of these guys. 

You said ‘Tied Up’ was a breakthrough moment. What shifted for you while creating it?

This record was a lot more soulful and sonically aggressive than anything I have tried before, so it was new territory for me. After writing and recording the vocals on it, I realized this record felt so much more like the real me than I thought it would. That’s when the epiphany happened.

R&B-pop is clearly where you’re heading. What drew you to that blend, and how does it reflect who you are today?

R&B/Pop music is literally all I listen to. I’ve been a massive fan of artists like SZA, Justin Timberlake, Chris Brown, Justin Bieber, etc. for years, but I didn’t immediately feel like R&B/Pop was the right path for me, especially since Why Don’t We’s music was pretty straightforwardly pop for most of our career. After the group went on hiatus, I felt like there was an expectation for me to create music similar to the group’s sound, mostly out of fear that Why Don’t We fans wouldn’t connect to the “real me” if the music sounded completely different. Boy, was I wrong. It’s been extremely special to finally make music that I truly connect with, and even more special to watch my fans fall in love with it.

Next up, you have ‘Summer’ coming out. Tell us more about “Summer” and what fans can expect from it.

‘Summer’ is the first song I worked on with Tenroc. The day we met, he came to my home studio straight from the airport and this was the first song he played me on his computer. I was like “Bro, you have to let me cut that.” On the first listen, I knew this song was special, and getting Jeremih to feature on this record made it even more special. His legacy in R&B music is legendary and I’ve been a fan of his for years, so to be dropping a record with him is a really cool moment for me. I hope this song becomes the anthem of the summer for our fans.

Later this year, you’ll also release a six-song EP. What can fans expect in terms of sound, themes, and stories?

The EP will definitely have a lot of feel-good records and love songs, but also some topics and more “adult” conversations I haven’t really spoken about in music before. Overall, I hope the EP makes my fans want to turn their rooms into a dance floor.

What’s something on this EP that would surprise longtime Why Don’t We fans?

I think what will be most surprising for longtime Why Don’t We fans are the topics of conversation and the overall sonic palette of the EP. It’s super different than anything I did with Why Don’t We, but could not be truer to who I am today. I’m a Pop/R&B kid at heart and I hope they’re able to feel that through the music. 

You’ve talked about a major period of self-discovery after the band. What were some of the biggest realizations that came out of that?

The two biggest things I learned during my period of self-discovery after the band were to trust my instincts and to not be afraid to push outside of my comfort zone. Experimenting and not being afraid to fail led me to the creation of some of my favorite records.

How did reconnecting with instruments like piano and guitar influence your songwriting this time around?

In my opinion, the greatest songs ever written are just as good with full production as they are stripped down to keyboard or guitar, so using those instruments to create the foundation for a song has become step number one in my creative process. Great songs stem from great chord progression.

You’ve said you’re finally making music that feels like “you.” What defines that “you” today?

The “me” today is the same kid I was growing up, but with an entirely new outlook on music and life in general. I’ve grown so much the last few years through my early twenties, and can’t wait to show the “real me” to the world in a real, vulnerable way for the first time.

The industry is in a moment where authenticity is everything. How do you stay grounded and true to yourself in an industry built on image?

To be honest, I’m still learning how. I think it really just comes down to trusting my gut and working hard to be a better person and artist than I was yesterday, every day.

Tell us more about your plans for 2025, besides the upcoming EP.

I’m hoping to tour later this year and finally get back out into the world to see my fans in person again. It’s been way too long. Be ready for a party, because I’m bringing the heat.

CREDITS
photography SHERVIN LAINEZ