The Amsterdam-based queer pop artist turns gay slang into a 148 BPM hyperpop romp,
the fourth single from his upcoming LP Sinners & Lovers
AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS – November 2, 2026. Swiss-born, Italian-raised and
Amsterdam-based queer pop artist Stemin returns with “Backpack”, out on all streaming
platforms on Friday, November 20, 2026.
The title comes straight from queer slang: a “backpack” is a top who is a lot shorter than his
partner. Stemin takes the term and runs with it, turning a wink-wink inside joke into a bouncing,
unashamedly camp pop anthem. Over a 148 BPM beat, he sings the praises of his pocket-sized
lover with a chorus built to be shouted back on the dancefloor: “He’s my backpack / And when
he sleeps I call him nap sack.” The verses keep the double meanings coming, from “Fanny
packs can’t do that / Backpacks are for real” to a bridge that begs to “Run that bass track /
Unzip my desire.”
“‘Backpack’ is my love letter to the short kings,” says Stemin. “Queer culture has always had its
own language, and some of the best words are the funniest ones. I wanted to make something
cheeky, a little filthy and completely fun: a song that makes you laugh, blush and dance at the
same time.”
Written by Stefano Minder and Pim van Amerongen, produced by longtime collaborator Dyan
Tai and mastered by Ryan Schumer, “Backpack” leans further into the playful, club-ready side of
Stemin’s sound, in the lineage of camp pop provocateurs like Slayyyter, Lynks and Miss
Bashful. It follows “Flip Flop” (feat. Dyan Tai), “Hush” and “Love Me Right”, released earlier this
year, and is the fourth single from his upcoming LP Sinners & Lovers.
2026 has been Stemin’s biggest year on stage so far, with performances at Sziget Festival in
Budapest, the Pride Amsterdam Mainstage, WorldPride 2026 in Amsterdam and Pride
Nürnberg. Canadian pop artist and Juno Award nominee Mathew V has described him as
“exuding undeniable star power and unmistakable talent.”
“Backpack” will be available on all major streaming platforms on November 20, 2026. Please
note: the track contains explicit lyrics.
