IN CONVERSATION WITH DESTIN CONRAD
interview by VERONICA TLAPANCO SZABÓ
Today’s cover star is Grammy-nominated artist Destin Conrad, captured by the lens of Rogier Alexander. Grounded in R&B while drifting seamlessly through alternative and jazz-inflected references, his work is shaped by vulnerability and control, qualities explored in our intimate conversation.
Looking back, what were the key pillars in your life that led you toward music?
My family is a huge reason why I like the music that I like. More specifically, my sister Janique, is responsible for my love of R&B music. She was a teenager when I was born, and helped shape my taste in music.
With two projects LOVE ON DIGITAL and wHIMSY released in the past year, how are you feeling right now creatively and physically?
I feel amazing and I’m very excited to continue to push myself creatively and challenging myself.
jacket JAMIE AIRMOUNTAIN
bracelet WOUTERS & HENDRIX
earrings THE POOL JEWELRY
pink coat JADEN LI
necklace and earrings THE POOL JEWELRY
sunglasses MIU MIU by ESSILOR LUXOTICA
If you had to describe your sound in just three words, what would they be?
Fun, ever-changing, and whimsy.
trousers JADEN LI
hat MARIANNE JONGKIND
rings, necklace and 1 of the bracelets THE POOL JEWELRY
one of the bracelets TWICE AS NICE
LOVE ON DIGITAL was initially conceived as a nod to the digitalisation of R&B in the early 2000s, but it evolved into something more. Can you walk us through that shift?
It became something else naturally because I started to perceive it differently by living and creating it in real time.
Alongside the evolution of the sound, your visuals have levelled up too especially with Kissing In Public! Have you always been a confident dancer, or did you train for it?
I’m still not a confident dancer, but I’m learning how to be confident with moving my body in ways that feel true to me. And I definitely trained for it and will continue to train for more dancing moments.
top ALEXIA POPA
pants THE GANG IS BEAUTIFUL
jewelry THE POOL JEWELRY
Zooming out a bit, what are some things you wish humans would do more of or maybe less of?
I think humans should care more and I’d like to see less hate.
trousers JADEN LI
bracelets and necklace WOUTERS & HENDRIX
earrings and rings THE POOL JEWELRY
hat ULKUHAN
trousers JADEN LI
boots THE GANG IS BEAUTIFUL
ring and bracelet left arm WOUTERS & HENDRIX
ring right hand THE POOL JEWELRY
Who is Mr. E and how did he first appear as a character in your work?
Mr. E was created in London while I was working on LOVE ON DIGITAL, and he took on a life on his own and began to character build with him and playing with the idea of having an alter-ego.
wHIMSY really struck a chord, the project feels incredibly rich and textural, yet it was written in two weeks, what was that like?
It was intense, but really fun. I went to the studio every day with some very talented collaborators and we delivered something I’m proud of.
top and shawls SELECTED GEMZ
trousers JAMIE AIRMOUNTAIN
jewelry THE POOL JEWELRY
There are so many wonderful collaborators on wHIMSY, how do you navigate working with that many people on one project?
It kind of happened naturally. It constantly felt like a jam session, and I’m friends with most of them so it was smooth.
motorjacket SELECTED GEMZ
trousers VINCE REECE HALE
sunglasses PRADA by ESSILOR LUXOTICA
rings THE POOL JEWELRY
GLORY, the poem by Bay Davis, adds such a beautiful layer to your work. What drew you to that piece, and how did it fit into the wider narrative of the project?
I knew I wanted to have some spoken word on there and we’ve been friends for a long time and always wanted to do something together. I told her about the project and she sent me the poem and I loved it, so I knew I had to include it on the project.
Finally, if there were ever a museum dedicated to you, what would we find in the gift shop?
Dried mangos, wired ear phones, and jewelry.
fur coat STYLIST’S OWN
jeans THIJS DE JONG
necklace and flat bracelet WOUTERS & HENDRIX
circle bracelet TWICE AS NICE
TEAM CREDITS:
talent DESTIN CONRAD
photography ROGIER ALEXANDER
ep, creative direction, and styling JOSEPHINE HERFST at EE Agency
concept JOSEPHINE HERFST and ROGIER ALEXANDER
videographer and polaroids YOMI RABIU
hair YASMIN ARION
makeup CARMELITA BIANCA
producer VERA DE BODE
art direction PLEUN VAN BAREN
colour grading video DENZEL MÖHLMANN
dalmatian LIZZY THE DALMATIAN
styling assistant WOLFIE SANDY
location SISTERSJANSSEN in Hotel De L’Europe
editor TIMOTEJ LETONJA
interview VERONICA TLAPANCO SZABÓ
cover design ARTHUR ROELOFFZEN
