2024 was a big year for Finneas O’Connell, 27. “Who?” I hear you ask. Finneas is the older brother of chart-topping singer-songwriter Billie Eilish, 23, and the mastermind behind much of her success. Alongside Billie, he made waves globally in 2020, but his influence in the music industry extends far beyond their collaborations.

Billie and Finneas dominated the 62nd Grammy Awards in 2020 with When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?, setting multiple records. Billie became the youngest artist ever to win all four major categories in one night: Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist. She was also the first female artist to achieve this. Meanwhile, Finneas took home Producer of the Year, Non-Classical, and Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical, cementing himself as one of the industry’s top producers. Their success was nothing short of groundbreaking.

Fast forward to 2024, and the siblings released Billie’s third album, Hit Me Hard and Soft. Billie called it the project she has “never ever ever loved more,” while Finneas described it as his “favourite thing” he’s ever worked on. However, despite its critical and commercial success, the album failed to repeat their 2020 Grammy triumph. Neither Billie nor Finneas won any of the awards they were nominated for, despite securing seven nominations between them.

Does that mean their influence is waning? Hardly. Awards or not, both artists continue to push boundaries, evolve creatively, and shape modern pop music.
Finneas’ talents aren’t just limited to his work with Billie. He’s also had a hand in some of the biggest songs in recent years. He co-produced Selena Gomez’s chart-topping ballad Lose You to Love Me and co-wrote Lonely, performed by Justin Bieber and Benny Blanco. His production style—intimate, cinematic, and emotionally charged—has become one of the most sought-after in the industry.

And as if being a Grammy-winning producer and songwriter wasn’t enough, Finneas is also a successful recording artist in his own right. His second studio album dropped on 4th October 2024, led by the title track, which was released as a single on 8th August. While his work with Billie often overshadows his solo career, his music has carved out its own dedicated following, showcasing his introspective songwriting and signature production style.

Finneas may not always be centre stage, but his influence on modern music is undeniable. Whether he’s crafting haunting ballads, producing radio hits, or performing his own material, one thing is clear—he’s far more than just Billie Eilish’s brother.