Today, singer, songwriter, and producer Quinn XCII drops his new single “Backpack” on Republic Records—listen HERE. The end-of-summer anthem is accompanied by the tongue-in-cheek official video co-starring Yung Gravy, Zach Sang, YouTuber Kevin Langue, and more out now—watch HERE.
On “Backpack,” Quinn XCII’s soulful high register rises with acoustic guitar before a head-nodding beat. With a little reggae and a lot of roots flare, he tells a different kind of coming-of-age story as he croons, “She pulled out a backpack with some drugs I never done before, but I still told her, ‘Pass that’. I only said it because I’m trying get lucky like a four-leaf clover.”
Quinn XCII says, “‘Backpack’ is a basic everyday term we throw around, but I’d never heard it in a song. I crafted this fictional story around the word. It’s about being with a girl and seeing she’s a lot cooler and more experienced than you are. It comes down to how you react to the situation. Do you put your pride aside and fake it until you make it, so to speak? I’ve been in situations like that. I decided to be an alter ego of myself, and I realized it’s not a healthy way of getting into a relationship.”
“Backpack” sets the stage for new music to come this year from the Michigan artist. Prior to this release, Quinn XCII dropped his 2021 album Change of Scenery II, which debuted #1 on the Apple Pop Charts and Spotify’s US Debut Album Chart. His catalogue has amassed over 2.5 billion global streams to date and includes 1 RIAA Platinum and 6 RIAA Certified Gold Singles. Not to mention, he has sold out countless tours, including shows at the iconic Radio City Music Hall in New York City, The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, and many more.
ABOUT QUINN XCII
Quinn XCII (pronounced Quinn Ninety-Two) is the kind of person you root for. He’s a very grateful husband and an endlessly loyal friend. He goes through shitty days and good days (just like the rest of us do), but he writes about them both in his music without filter or pretense. Despite “making it” (he hates that turn-of-phrase, by the way!), he doesn’t put himself on a pedestal whatsoever. Rather, he acts, speaks, and sings with the approachability of the guy who just gave you his spot in the checkout line or waited for the next elevator. Back in 2015, Quinn XCII emerged with a disarmingly catchy and dynamic personal style of his own punctuated by alternative nuances and unexpected (yet undeniable) pop prowess. He has earned successive Platinum singles, including “Kings of Summer” with ayokay, “Straightjacket,” and “Love Me Less” with MAX. In addition, he has a handful of Gold singles, including “Flare Guns” feat. Chelsea Cutler, “Another Day In Paradise,” “Stacy,” and “Always Been You.” During 2021, his album Change of Scenery II captured #1 on the Apple Pop Chart and #1 on the Spotify US Debut Album Chart. Simultaneously, he ignited anthems alongside Logic, blackbear, Chelsea Cutler, Jeremy Zucker, Ashe, Louis The Child, Gryffin, Illenium, and more. Not to mention, he has sold out headline tours coast-to-coast, selling over 350,000 tickets as a headliner, and graced the stages of festivals such as Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, Firefly, Governors Ball, Summerfest, and Electric Forest. Beyond applause from Billboard, Rolling Stone, Paper Magazine, and Interview Magazine, he lit up television shows, including Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Late Late Show with James Corden, Live with Kelly and Ryan, The Today Show, and more. Now, he kicks off his next chapter with his debut single for Republic Records, “Backpack.”
LISTEN TO “BACKPACK” HERE
WATCH THE MUSIC VIDEO HERE
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