For iann dior, storytelling is everything. “My music’s more storytelling, and it’s hard to tell a story if you haven’t lived it,” he tells Playboy. With the release of his new album CYCLES, the genre-defying artist is reflecting on how far he’s come since dropping the original EP at 19—and how much more confident he sounds now. From freestyling in the studio to bringing his PlayStation on tour, iann dior opens up about his creative process, live shows, and staying grounded while chasing evolution.

PLAYBOY: If music didn’t exist, what would you be doing?

iann dior: Man. That’s a crazy question out the gate. I’d probably get into business. I think music and business go hand in hand, so I’d be in that world for sure.

PLAYBOY: How much of your world is music versus the business around it?

iann dior: For me, it’s 60/40. But for some people, it’s 50/50. If you want to climb, there’s politics—that’s the business side. I don’t like to be too involved. I know what’s going on, and I have my say, but I try not to stress over that and just focus on the music. When I started, it was 100% music. I didn’t know anything about the industry. I had to learn there’s a whole other side to it.

PLAYBOY: When you make music, are you chasing a feeling or running from one?

iann dior: Depends on the day. Most days I feel like I’m running, but then there’s days where I’m thinking about the future and what I want, that’s when I’m chasing something new.

PLAYBOY: Do those feelings come from inside or outside of you?

iann dior: Some days I go in knowing what I need to say. Other days, it’s the production that brings something out of me. When a producer makes a beat, he’s already telling a story. I hear what they’re trying to give off. That’s where it starts. I’m big on freestyling, punching in takes. It comes from somewhere else, and I just go with it.

PLAYBOY: The TikTok era demands content constantly. Does that pace work for you or do you need time to live first?

iann dior: Yeah, I need to live. My music’s more storytelling, and it’s hard to tell a story if you haven’t lived it. Some days I can make a song in 15 minutes, others take two days. And those longer ones, those are the valuable ones.

PLAYBOY: What’s the story behind Nothing’s Ever Good Enough Pt. 2?

iann dior: I was 19 when I made the first one. It’s been about six years. I’ve changed. I knew I needed to be around my roots again, so I flew two of my homies out. We locked in for a week, made a bunch of cool stuff. It was seamless and fun. You can hear the evolution. It sits in the same world but feels different.

PLAYBOY: How many tracks didn’t make the cut?

iann dior: Maybe 10 didn’t make it. Some songs take 15 minutes if you catch the vibe. That EP was fun, just talking about the future, where I want to be, how I’m feeling, more confident. The album’s a whole different entity.

PLAYBOY: What was that process like for the album you just released — more songs, more cuts?

iann dior: Probably closer to 200 songs for the album. I experiment a lot. One week it’s pop, next week alternative, next week indie. All that went into one thing. I got nitpicky with the tracklist. A lot didn’t make it.

PLAYBOY: When you get nitpicky, are you looking at the individual song or the bigger picture?

iann dior: Cohesiveness and sonics. Once songs are picked, they might not flow. That’s when I add transitions, little things that tie it all together. It gets confusing when you’re mixing genres. I’ve gotten lost in it. That’s when I took a step back and said, “Let me put this EP out, feed the fans, then come back to the album.” That’s where we’re at now.

PLAYBOY: Do you get frustrated by genre labels?

iann dior: I just don’t like the term “rapper.” It feels like I’m getting boxed in. To me, I’m an artist. I can make any genre, so I don’t classify myself.

PLAYBOY: Your album uses live instruments. How do you bridge the gap between the flatness of streaming and the dynamic energy of live shows?

iann dior: The album’s all live instruments, so you get both — onstage and off. Hip-hop’s more electronic, but this album is a whole different world.

PLAYBOY: Are you touring with a live band?

iann dior: I didn’t for the recent EP, but for the album and festivals, 100% — live band. That’s the only way to do it.

PLAYBOY: Does having the right people on stage affect the energy?

iann dior: Depends on the music. If it’s jazzy, Bruno Mars vibes, I bring Brody Brown. If it’s punk pop, I bring Thrasher. It depends on the vibe.

PLAYBOY: What helps you stay grounded on tour?

iann dior: Having the right people. It doesn’t feel as long when the vibe is right. I enjoy touring, so it flies by—but there’s always that last stretch where I’m like, I can’t wait to be home.

PLAYBOY: What do you miss the most?

iann dior: My dog. My motorcycle. Just the normal stuff, anything I do at home, I miss on the road.

PLAYBOY: Do you bring a console with you?

iann dior: Yes. We’re running PlayStation only. Xbox is like Android. I bring it to play 2K with the boys, but service isn’t the best. I also have the PlayStation Portal so I can play in bed. But nothing too crazy. I’m more focused on soaking in where I’m at.

PLAYBOY: Can fans challenge you to 2K at meet and greets?

iann dior: They can, but I’m scared. I don’t want to lose a fan over a 2K match. That game can destroy friendships.

PLAYBOY: What can fans expect at your shows?

iann dior: High energy. I have trouble sitting still. A lot of jumping around, good vibes, and some conversation. I love talking between songs.

PLAYBOY: You also stream on Twitch. Are those fans different from your social media audience?

iann dior: Yeah. I don’t promote Twitch much. It’s for my core fans to connect. It’s different from Instagram. Twitch has a cool algorithm — people cycle in and out, so I meet new people and connect with my base. That’s why I love it.

PLAYBOY: Do you feel pressure in online spaces, or is it easy to be yourself?

iann dior: It goes in cycles. The more I’m on camera, the more comfortable I am. But after breaks, it takes a second to adjust. Still, being myself is what matters most. That’s all I care about.

Check out iann dior’s new album CYCLES — out now — and keep an eye on his tour page for his next installment of shows full of “jumping around, good vibes and some conversation.”