Yung Gravy, an American hip hop artist, burst onto the scene in 2017 with his viral hit song “Mr. Clean”. His unique style of rapping and references to iconic pop culture quickly earned him an ardent fanbase. However, after a meteoric rise, Yung Gravy seemed to disappear from the public eye in 2022.
So what exactly happened to Yung Gravy? Where did he go and why did he step back from the spotlight at the peak of his popularity? In this article, we’ll explore Yung Gravy’s background, his rapid rise to fame, the controversies that surrounded him, and the reasons behind his sudden retreat from public life.
Yung Gravy’s Background
Yung Gravy was born Matthew Raymond Hauri on March 19, 1996 in Rochester, Minnesota. He had a very normal suburban upbringing and was an avid hockey player in his youth. However, in his teenage years, inspired by pop rappers like Lil B, he began experimenting with writing and rapping his own songs.
He adopted the stage name Yung Gravy while still in high school in reference to his fondness for gravy and mashed potatoes. After graduating high school in 2015, Hauri enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He began recording songs in his college dorm room and releasing them on Soundcloud.
Yung Gravy’s Rise to Fame
In 2016, Yung Gravy released his breakout single “Mr. Clean” on Soundcloud. Mixing clever wordplay with references to the bald cleaning mascot Mr. Clean, the song quickly went viral within internet meme culture. The success of “Mr. Clean” led Yung Gravy to drop out of college and focus on music full time.
Riding the momentum, Yung Gravy released his debut EP Mr. Clean in 2017 followed by his first album Sensational in 2018. Fueled by catchy beats and hilarious lyrics, songs like “1 Thot 2 Thot Red Thot Blue Thot” and “Alley Oop” became huge hits, racking up millions of streams.
Yung Gravy’s unique style resonated with younger listeners who appreciated his melding of absurdist humor and pop culture into hip hop. By 2019, Yung Gravy was performing at major music festivals like Lollapalooza and selling out headlining tours across the country. He had the internet’s attention and seemed poised to remain one of hip hop’s rising stars.
Controversies
However, controversy was brewing as Yung Gravy’s popularity skyrocketed. As a white rapper, he faced accusations of appropriating hip hop culture and profiting off of black art forms. Critics claimed he relied too heavily on crude sexual humor and memes in place of substantive lyricism.
Yung Gravy also faced backlash in 2019 when he orchestrated a publicity stunt where he sent a “prom proposal” to celebrity Sheri Nicole Easterling, who was in her 40s at the time while Yung Gravy was only 23. Many found this inappropriate given the large age difference.
While Yung Gravy dismissed most criticism as jealousy over his success, the controversies kept piling on. Some began questioning if his raunchy frat boy persona was just an act, while serious allegations were levied at associates within his crew.
Stepping Away from Fame
By late 2021, Yung Gravy had noticeably withdrawn from social media and the public eye. He stopped releasing new music or announcing any tours. His last single “Betty” dropped quietly in June 2021.
Fans speculated what had happened to their once omnipresent star. Theories ranged from Yung Gravy wanting to take a mental health break, fear of cancel culture, disillusionment with fame, or legal troubles behind the scenes.
However, Yung Gravy and his management have yet to make any official statements explaining his disappearance from the spotlight. His social accounts remain active but devoid of major updates.
In August 2022, he resurfaced briefly to announce a new album Marvelous coming in November 2022. But other than that, the usually brash and over-the-top rapper has been unusually quiet for over a year now.
Theories on His Disappearance
So what exactly happened to Yung Gravy? Why did he abruptly retreat from public life at the peak of his stardom? Here are some leading theories:
Burnout from Fame
Rising to fame in his early 20s, going from a college dorm room to sold-out arena tours likely took a toll on Yung Gravy. The constant touring, promotion, and online scrutiny may have led to mental and physical exhaustion. Stepping back could have been a way to preserve his mental health.
Fear of Cancel Culture
As a controversial white rapper accused of appropriation, Yung Gravy was a prime target for cancellation. After other stars like Doja Cat faced intense backlash, Yung Gravy may have felt the need to lay low and avoid any damaging piles-on that could derail his career permanently.
Focusing on New Music
Yung Gravy may have retreated so he could fully focus on developing new music. With the rap game constantly evolving, taking time to reinvent his style and expand his artistry may have necessitated staying out of the public glare for a while.
Legal Issues
While no criminal charges have been announced, it’s possible Yung Gravy is dealing with behind-the-scenes legal troubles that prompted him to take time away from the spotlight. Sexual assault allegations circled his inner circle, so it’s plausible he’s addressing private litigation.
The Future of Yung Gravy
It remains ambiguous when or if Yung Gravy plans to fully return to the spotlight. However, his recently announced new album indicates he does intend to make a musical comeback on some scale. Still, it appears his days of courting widespread controversy and saturation are over.
Perhaps Yung Gravy recognized that his loud, internet-driven antics were drowning out his actual music. Or maybe the controversies and pressures of fame simply wore him down. Regardless, the days of Mr. Clean dominating viral conversation have passed.
Yung Gravy finds himself at a crossroads in his career. Does he attempt to reinvent himself as a more serious artist? Does he wrestle with past appropriation accusations? Or does he dive back into his goofy persona to win back fans? How he navigates this inflection point will determine if Yung Gravy is here for the long haul or just a fleeting meme.
For now, the curtain remains drawn on the rapper’s next act. But when he does step back into the spotlight, one thing is certain – internet buzz around Yung Gravy will erupt once again.
Conclusion
Yung Gravy’s disappearance from public life remains shrouded in mystery. However, the controversy, legal issues, and pressures surrounding his meteoric rise likely prompted his need to retreat. While his future is uncertain, Yung Gravy still retains a devoted cult fanbase eagerly awaiting his next move.
But the days of his uncontrolled viral antics are probably over. Moving forward, expect to see a more matured Yung Gravy focused squarely on his musical craft if he plans to sustain a long-term career. One thing is for certain – Yung Gravy shook up the hip hop world once before. Don’t be surprised if he does it again upon his awaited return.