Russell Horning first hit the national spotlight with his appearance in Katy Perry's "Swish
Swish" performance on SNL.
After that, the kid known as "Backpack Kid" and his signature move, flossing, became an
internet sensation.
Horning has since appeared at professional sports games, charity events, and more.
Always in a backpack, of course.
But is there more to Horning than swinging arms and a stone-faced glare?
Here's everything you don't know about Backpack Kid.
End zone floss
Take a knee, Tebowing, because the Backpack Kid has intercepted the end zone spotlight
for the time being.
As "flossing" reached dizzying heights in the fall of 2017, a few NFL players adopted
Russell Horning's signature move to celebrate touchdowns.
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Mack Hollins busted out the shimmy after a 64-yard touchdown
in a game against the Washington Redskins.
Hollins later revealed that he was actually known as "Backpack Mack" in college, because
he always used to wear one.
He didn't even make the connection to Horning's famous nickname until after he repeated the
dance.
But hang on, because Horning has placed his NFL allegiance elsewhere.
In a video for ESPN, Horning chats with New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram, who
also adopted "flossing" in the end zone after learning the dance from a kid in the Bahamas.
Horning not only enjoyed the tribute, he also has a lot of faith in the power of his signature
dance.
"I mean if they do it for the rest of the season, they're going to the Super Bowl and
they're going to win.
Guaranteed one hundred percent."
Well, the Saints didn't make the Super Bowl, but then again, Flossing doesn't help you
cover wide receivers either….
He's 2 Litt
Horning hasn't just been resting on his laurels since he flossed his way to internet stardom.
On top of constantly doing press for outlets like the NBA and Inside Edition, Horning has
already released two original songs.
The first, naturally, was "Flossin," a remix by DJ Suede The Remix God.
"I'll be flossins,"
"I'll be flossins,"
Horning's second track was "2 Litt," a decidedly more polished effort by producer Red Drum,
who's worked with up-and-coming hip-hop stars such as Kodak Black and Smokepurpp.
The video was directed by Dallas Corsmeier, an animator who definitely gave it a unique
feel.
"I'm so lit You're so not.
Ballin' so hard, look at my shot."
If Horning keeps climbing the hip-hop collab ladder like this, it won't be long before
he's all the way at the top.
Oh, wait — he's already there.
"Me and my team, we're at the top."
Backpack squad
In a 2018 profile for Vice, Horning introduced the world to his crew.
Often featured dancing alongside Horning in his videos, Jaden , Frederick, Jordan, and
Nyreese round out the Backpack Kid's loyal squad.
"They have been my friends forever since before… waway before I started doing this."
Crew member Nyreese laid out what could essentially be the group's motto, saying:
"I see the squad as just a bunch of friends that love to have fun and just turn it up
everywhere we go, wherever we can go, and just breaking the rules."
And don't worry, Horning's mom approves.
She told Vice:
"They are so much fun, and they just enjoy each other, and they enjoy dancing, and they
enjoy the city, and it's just really fun to be a part of this."
But for Horning, it's actually more than just fun — he says his crew keeps him grounded:
"I value true friendship, because that is what keeps me sane and not becoming all stingy
and being like famous people are these days.
I think that true friends keep that from happening.
I'm never leaving them.
If they don't leave me, I'm not leaving them."
Philanthropic floss
Horning doesn't just "floss" for viral fame and the chance to rub elbows with celebrities.
He also sometimes uses his powers for good, like when he showed up at the 10th Annual
Zumba Instructors Convention to throw down his sick moves alongside some other kid dancers
in support of CARE Elementary, a Miami charter school.
In an Instagram post about the event, Horning said he was inspired by the experience, so
there's no reason to think we won't see more of Backpack Kid's philanthropic efforts in
the future.
Flossin' for dental hygiene awareness, maybe?
Rap dreams
As fans may have guessed after the release of "Flossin" and "2 LITT," Horning has big
plans for a career in the music industry.
As he described in an interview with Nicki Swift, he told us the internet sensation hopes
to become a bonafide rapper one day — possibly, one day soon.
Horning revealed that he and "2 LITT" collaborator Swag Hollywood are "making a lot of music
that will be released in the future."
Even though he has a passion for music, don't expect to see Backpack Kid head off to college
in pursuit of a degree in the field.
Though he understands the importance of an education, college might not be for him — and
he's not convinced a degree would help him become a successful rapper or musician.
Instead, he'd rather get hands-on experience working with people in the industry.
Backpack sponsorship
In the wake of capturing the hearts and minds of America with his SNL performance, Horning
almost immediately started fielding business opportunities.
And by "almost immediately," we mean the next day.
His mom and manager, Anita Redd, told the Gwinnett Daily Post:
"I've just been managing my phone, responding to emails and setting up times for interviews
and now I'm collaborating with people on designing a backpack based on him, designing socks based
on him, T-shirts, hoodies (and) caps all since Sunday."
Has that backpack money started rolling in yet?
According to Horning, he's got his eye on a particular brand.
He told Complex:
"Yeah, I am trying to stay loyal to one brand, it's called Sprayground.
I'm trying to get more from their business.
[...] I've known Sprayground for a very long time and I'm trying to only wear their book
bags."
It seems like Sprayground is definitely down to cash in on the Backpack Kid phenomenon
as well.
In this clip posted to YouTube by Sprayground, Katy Perry chats with a DJ who just so happens
to have a Sprayground backpack handy for a segment.
Called "Spray it Out Loud," the pop star had to answer random questions tucked into different
compartments of the backpack.
"There's questions in this backpack.
Which zipper do you want?"
If that's not some synergistic cross promotion right there, we don't know what is.
Unfollowed
While Katy Perry may have helped launch Backpack Kid into online superstardom, the pop singer
doesn't even follow him on Instagram.
That's surprising, considering both her collaboration with Horning and her public endorsement of
his Instagram page.
"That's his Instagram you should check it out he is… honestly he is phenomenal I love
him."
But don't feel bad for the young man — he's totally okay with the situation.
In our interview, Hourning told us:
"She's done so much for me that I don't really need a follow from her.
I mean, if she does, yeah, that'd be very much appreciated, but I appreciate everything
that she's already done for me."
Still, we can't help but wonder why Perry doesn't follow Horning.
Is she over flossing?
Grooving at games
Given his debut on the court in Perry's basketball-themed music video for "Swish Swish," it makes sense
that Horning would gravitate toward performances at NBA games.
Since gaining near-overnight fame, he's appeared on the dance cam at a Charlotte Hornets game
and showed off his signature move during a dance number for the Sacramento Kings.
But Horning may soon become a staple at sporting events.
After describing a future performance with comedic basketball team the Harlem Globetrotters,
he told us that he hopes to continue entertaining crowds at basketball games because he believes
his brand goes "well with the family-friendliness of the NBA."
Forever flossing
Though you might expect Horning to gradually expand his repertoire of signature dance moves,.
When asked if he was working on any other choreography, Horning expressed doubt that
he'll ever create another hit as massive as flossing.
He explained:
"I tried making other moves in the past, but making more moves just isn't what it's supposed
to be.
Flossing is the one that really got big so I'm just gonna stick with it."
Cookin' up beats
If you take a look at Horning's YouTube channel, you'll find everything you'd typically expect
to find within a teenager's social media presence, like playing video games, eating fast food,
and just general silliness.
But you can also find him making beats, like in this video where Horning puts together
some digital loops in less than 10 minutes and freestyles a few lyrics:
"This beat is fly.
I watched family guy.
I'm not telling no lies"
Okay, Horning may not be headed to the Grammys with that one, but kudos to him for trying.
So, keep it up kid, you're doing something right.
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