Don Toliver on Musical Inspiration and the Dangers of Social Media
Don Toliver revealed in an interview published by Rolling Stone that he finds his musical inspiration through Instagram rather than active searches on streaming platforms. Rolling Stone reported that the conversation, part of the magazine’s Musicians on Musicians cover series, pairs Toliver with pop singer Malcolm Todd.
Where Don Toliver Finds Obscure Music Online
During the discussion with Todd, Toliver explained his shifting approach to discovering new sounds for his production. When Todd asked if he browses Apple Music for obscure earworms, Toliver offered a different method.
“I don’t really go out there to search too much anymore, but where I find the craziest music is Instagram. Stories, Reels, photos. I’m like, ‘Damn, thanks. Give me that,’” Toliver said, according to Rolling Stone. He added that he follows pages dedicated to retro music videos and songs, noting that older tracks hitting his feed often spark ideas for blending genres like house and drum-and-bass.
How Toliver and Malcolm Todd Connected Over Social Media
Rolling Stone detailed how the two artists formed a working relationship before meeting in person. Toliver first discovered Todd’s music by hearing snippets of the L.A. singer’s tracks on social media. Without a formal introduction, Toliver sampled Todd’s song “Chest Pain (I Love)” for his track “E85.”
“Every time I used to hear fragments of it on the internet, I’d be like, ‘Bro, this is hard,’” Toliver told Rolling Stone regarding the sample. The song eventually became the opening track on Toliver’s chart-topping 2026 album, Octane, which features production from Travis Scott and Aaron Paris.
Todd released his self-titled debut album in 2025 following pandemic-era bedroom recordings, and followed it with the project Do That Again. His earlier mixtape track “Earrings” has also gained renewed traction online.
Disconnecting From Online Visibility and Public Pressure
Beyond musical discovery, the two musicians discussed the toll of digital exposure. Todd admitted to feeling the anxiety of public profile growth while managing his touring schedule across Asia, Europe, and Australia.
“Everyone has an opinion, and everything’s on the internet. How much did you stay in and out of that? I’ve learned to disconnect from it, but reading sh*t about yourself is the most unhealthy thing,” Todd said in the Rolling Stone interview.
Toliver shared a similar sentiment regarding social media fatigue. “When I got to a point in my career, bro, I just hated everything. I hated whatever somebody said. I just disconnected. I stopped getting on those apps. All I got is Instagram, literally,” Toliver said.
Touring Schedules and Career Milestones in 2026
The conversation coincides with a major career period for Toliver. In 2026, the Houston-bred artist secured his first No. 1 album with Octane, made his mainstage debut at the BET Awards, and sold out the first leg of the OCTANE Tour.
“Whatever feels the most authentic to me,” Toliver told Rolling Stone about crafting the project. “I’ve been making music for a little while now. I kind of know what my fans react to and what I react to, so I try to stay in that world.”
Meanwhile, Todd continues his international tour dates in support of Do That Again, balancing new music releases with the realities of growing public attention.