Photo courtesy of Yung Gravy.
On Sept. 12, Yung Gravy is performing in Town Square Park to conclude the “Summer Concert Series.” Ahead of the concert, The Northern Light interviewed the rapper via email to discuss all things Gravy.
Yung Gravy, whose real name is Matthew Hauri, said his stage name came from a freestyle. He said he rapped “something like ‘so smooth you can call me Yung Gravy,’” and decided it sounded like a good stage name.
“I felt like it really encapsulated my essence so I stuck with it,” he said.
At the start of his career, Yung Gravy had never attempted making or producing music. Now, with a catalog of over 100 songs and seven years of experience behind him, he said, “I know way more about how music works and got a lot more tricks up my sleeve in the studio.”
Hailing from Minnesota, the rapper loves Arctic wonderland scenery, with Alaska being at the top of his list. Yung Gravy was a camp counselor and professional skier before rapping, so he feels he fits in great in Alaska.
Yung Gravy said the experience of performing at the Alaska State Fair in 2023 was amazing. “The energy of the people was just totally different from anywhere else, in the best way,” he said. That experience was a major reason the rapper decided to return to Alaska.
Yung Gravy said “Super Smash Bros.” is one of his personal favorite underrated songs of his. He didn’t expect “Hot Tub” to blow up, and didn’t like the song until T-Pain featured on it.
Yung Gravy said he doesn’t really get stuck when writing music, since he doesn’t rush things. He said more often than not that songs come quickly. He said, “I just say my spicy, provocative lil riddles ridden with sauced out sayings and put em out!”
Known for having a larger than life persona, Yung Gravy said that persona is not an act. “I’m totally me 100%, maybe 98% when I’m hungover and have to take pictures with fans,” he said. He said it is much easier to be genuine than to put up a facade.
Yung Gravy’s music is known for being humorous, leading to criticism that his music is unserious. He said that the criticism doesn’t bother him at all. “It says alot about you if you can’t just have fun and enjoy good, fun music,” he said.
Yung Gravy said if he could collaborate with anyone — dead or alive — he’d collaborate with Frank Sinatra, who he described as a huge inspiration that he could learn a lot from. For a dream venue, he said he would want to perform in the Swiss Alps flanked by two giant fondue fountains.
Well known for his taste in women, Yung Gravy ranked his top five MILFs of all time. “Number 1, Sofia Vergara. Number 2, Halle Berry. Number 3, Salma Hayek. Number 4, Penelope Cruz. Number 5, my girlfriend Ariel, she has a dog,” he said.
Yung Gravy said his next album would be a true return to form that his fans should be on the lookout for.
“I did a lot of creative exploration the last year or so, it’ll be nice to get back to the classic Gravy,” he said.
Signing off the interview, Yung Gravy said, “Love you all! Even if you don’t fwm. See y’all at the show.”
His show will feature local acts Evil Wizard, Flow Lounge, Blxin, Scarface Tubby and Brother Buffalo.
.jpg)
