Smooth-yet-irreverent rapper Yung Gravy was born Matt Hauri in Rochester, Minnesota in 1996. While attending college in Madison, Wisconsin, Hauri began rapping for fun at parties and in other low-key social situations, inspired by both old school and newer rappers. In 2016, he quit his job and spent months self-recording his first songs, uploading his first song "Karen" and finding quick online buzz. His first EP release Mr. Clean was released later that year. The doo wop-samples and trap rhythms of his song "Mr. Clean" inspired multiple fan videos, some of which went viral. He followed up with his own video for the song in October of 2017 and it also went viral, racking up millions of views in months. That year saw plenty of new music from Yung Gravy, including three EPs — Thanksgiving's Eve, Young Gravity, and Baby Gravy. He began 2018 with the release of single "1 Thot 2 Thot Red Thot Blue Thot" a song with his increasingly signature lyrics and beats built on retro-sourced samples. His fame grew and early tours resulted in completely sold-out shows for legions of new fans.