Destin Conrad, once a teen star on Vine, has received his first Grammy nomination for best progressive R&B album with his debut 'Love on Digital.' Released in April 2025, the album marked a shift from his social media fame to serious music artistry. He followed it with a jazz project titled 'wHIMSY,' both climbing the charts ahead of the February 1 Grammy Awards.
Destin Conrad's journey from internet sensation to Grammy nominee highlights his artistic growth. As a teenager, he gained over one million followers on the now-defunct app Vine, where he posted quirky jokes and clips of himself singing samples. In an interview with NPR's All Things Considered, Conrad reflected on the challenges of transitioning from that viral fame to being taken seriously as a musician.
"I thought people were always going to view me as a kid on the internet, and they wouldn't be able to detach that [from] what I did now," Conrad said.
His professional evolution began as a songwriter for other artists before he decided to create music for himself. Conrad never learned to read or write music, preferring to keep the process "free and flowing" rather than treating it like "math." This approach shines through in his 2025 releases: the R&B album Love on Digital in April, followed months later by the jazz album wHIMSY. Both projects achieved chart success, with Love on Digital earning him a nomination in the best progressive R&B category—his first as a solo artist.
Now touring major stages worldwide, Conrad spoke to host Ailsa Chang about embracing this personal evolution. The interview is part of NPR's series on first-time Grammy nominees, building anticipation for the awards ceremony on February 1.
Conrad's story underscores the potential for social media stars to build lasting music careers, blending past playfulness with mature artistry.
