Quinn XCII

Quinn XCII blends pop, hip-hop, reggae, and EDM into a distinctive style as a vocalist and songwriter based in Detroit. Although his lyrics often explore failed relationships and heartbreak, he typically delivers them over upbeat, radiant instrumentals that soften the underlying emotional tone. His first album-length project, The Story of Us, appeared in late 2017, generated considerable attention, and reached number 25 on Billboard’s Top R&B Albums chart. That momentum carried into 2019’s From Michigan with Love and 2020’s A Letter to My Younger Self, both of which entered the Billboard 200. He broadened his palette further on the 2021 ayokay-produced Change of Scenery II and the 2023 release The People’s Champ. In 2024 he issued a set of three meal-themed EPs that were later assembled into the full-length Quinn XCII Presents Mustard Mike’s Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Born Mikael Temrowski in 1992, the artist steeped in Motown influences began creating music while still in high school. During his time at Michigan State University he started collaborating with his friend ayokay, who was based in nearby Ann Arbor. His 2013 hip-hop mixtape Shlup marked an early milestone, yet wider notice arrived once his material shifted toward pop. After the spring 2015 arrival of the Change of Scenery EP, Atlantic’s Taste and Tone imprint released the single “Stung” later that year. Early 2016 brought the ayokay collaboration “Kings of Summer” along with the EP Bloom. Two more singles followed—“Straightjacket” in late 2016 and “Make Time” in early 2017—before Columbia Records issued The Story of Us in September 2017; the project reached the top 30 of the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart.

In 2018 Quinn signed with Visionary Music Group and put out a deluxe edition of his debut that added a second disc containing the Kailee Morgue duet “What the Hell Happened to Us.” That same year he teamed with Phoebe Ryan for “Middle Finger” and released the solo track “Panama.” His second album, From Michigan with Love, arrived in February 2019 and featured “Werewolf” with Yoshi Flower, “Tough” with Noah Kahan, and “Life Must Go On” with Jon Bellion. After an international tour he returned in January 2020 with the standalone single “Two 10s.”

July 2020 saw the release of his third album, A Letter to My Younger Self, which included the Marc E. Bassy collaboration “Coffee” and peaked at number 56 on the Billboard 200. He closed the year with “Stay Next to Me” featuring Chelsea Cutler, the opening track of his fourth album, Change of Scenery II. Recorded at ayokay’s home studio in Rhode Island, the 2021 project reached number 69 on the Billboard 200 and also included work with Jeremy Zucker and Alexander 23. Quinn followed quickly with the 2023 full-length The People’s Champ, led by the single “Backpack” and featuring “Common” with Big Sean, “Let Me Down” with Chelsea Cutler, and “Too Late” with AJR. The 2024 EP Breakfast, which included appearances by KYLE and Allen Stone, was succeeded by Lunch and Dinner; the three were subsequently packaged together as Quinn XCII Presents Mustard Mike’s Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.