
The Musicians Behind 'Bump This' Talk Titties and Tequila
By Sandra Song
Jan 10, 2020Last week, the PAPER team fell in love with a little song called "Bump This," which we promptly dubbed the "queer 2020 version of The Ying Yang Twins' 'Wait (The Whisper Song).'"
A wild trip of a track that features a cameo from viral star Rachel Sennott (whose "Come on, it's LA" quip is at the beginning of the song), "Bump This" tells the story of a crazy, substance-fueled bender, which may or may not have helped facilitate our own weekend spirals.
But after playing "Bump This" on repeat, we couldn't help but wonder what was up with the club kids responsible for the banger itself. So, naturally, we hit up Michael Medrano, Jake Germain, and Michete, to chat about the making of the song, which apparently was the product of a good old-fashioned hangover.
That said, the back story is just as good. According to Medrano — who produced the track alongside frequent collaborators Shiftee and Zak Leever — "Bump This" was created after a hectic night out in LA that entailed some visiting drag queen friends and "some shit I'd never tried before."
"On the surface, 'Bump This' is a purely fun, tongue-in-cheek going-out anthem, but I think it's important to really cherish our nights out in queer spaces," Medrano adds. "To put it in Michete's words, 'I take partying very seriously.'"
Just in case you needed proof of the trio's commitment to partying though, we got them to share their most memorable after party spirals with us. And yes, there's definitely tequila and titties in the mix.
Check out their stories, below.
Michael Medrano
I have a good amount of after party stories, but my favorite would probably be a Pride after party last summer where I ended up at some rich dude's table with three full bottles of tequila. I felt guilty at first, but after awhile of no one touching the liquor I said, "Fuck it", and reached down for the bottles. Killed 'em with my friends. Next thing I know, I'm standing on the couch shirtless, making out with God-knows-who. I hate to say it, I hope I don't sound ridiculous, [but] I still don't know who this man is. Sorry (but not sorry) to this man!
Photos courtesy of Michael Medrano, Jake Germain, and Michete
MORE ON PAPER
Music
Yungblud Reclaims Rock Stardom
Story by Georgia Evans / Photography by Ellen von Unwerth / Styling by Mike Adler / Grooming by Luca Tullio / Set design by Caylah Jean
Story by Georgia Evans / Photography by Ellen von Unwerth / Styling by Mike Adler / Grooming by Luca Tullio / Set design by Caylah Jean
02 July
Music
Reneé Rapp Trusts Herself
Story by Erica Campbell / Photography by Yasmine Diba / Styling by Valeria Semushina / Makeup by Loren Canby / Hair by Marissa Marino / Nails by Anna Wesolowska / Set design by Kelly Infield
Story by Erica Campbell / Photography by Yasmine Diba / Styling by Valeria Semushina / Makeup by Loren Canby / Hair by Marissa Marino / Nails by Anna Wesolowska / Set design by Kelly Infield
26 June
Film/TV
'Overcompensating' Hits Where It Heals
Story by Joan Summers / Photography by Kenyon Anderson / Styling by Marissa Pelly / Set design by Liz Mydlowski / Makeup by Rommy Najor, Mollie Gloss / Hair by Akihisa Yamaguchi, Sergio Estrada / Grooming by Kennedy Trisler
Story by Joan Summers / Photography by Kenyon Anderson / Styling by Marissa Pelly / Set design by Liz Mydlowski / Makeup by Rommy Najor, Mollie Gloss / Hair by Akihisa Yamaguchi, Sergio Estrada / Grooming by Kennedy Trisler
05 June
Entertainment
The 2025 Tonys: 'Give It Everything Or Die Trying'
Story by Michael Musto / Photography by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders / Jewelry by Alexis Bittar
Story by Michael Musto / Photography by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders / Jewelry by Alexis Bittar
05 June
Film/TV
Coolest Person in the Room: Stephanie Suganami
Story by Andrew Nguyen / Photography by Diego Villagra Motta / Styling by Angelina Cantú / Hair by Stefano Greco / Makeup by STOJ
Story by Andrew Nguyen / Photography by Diego Villagra Motta / Styling by Angelina Cantú / Hair by Stefano Greco / Makeup by STOJ
30 May