ERIE, Pa. — Six billion streams ago, Matthew Raymond Hauri was a student at the University of Wisconsin, working toward a marketing degree. He found a niche ― a goofy mix of doo-wop, trap beats and Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up” ― and emerged as Yung Gravy, a rapper who sly-eyes moms and throws Lunchables from the stage.
“I just wanted to be a rapper so bad,” he told Her Campus in 2025. “I was doing all digital marketing classes, and I just submitted my Yung Gravy work for everything. It was cool because I got to teach myself everything and then learn how other people did it and hone-in on my sauce.”
He graduated a semester early. The Gravy brand already was getting traction: The video for “Mr. Clean,” shot for $50, led to a contract with Republic Records. Today, Gravy has 3.9 million monthly listeners on Spotify.
His “Joyrider Tour” stops at Penn State Behrend on Friday, Aug. 28. The concert, which also will feature DJ Nugget, is a highlight of the college’s Welcome Week programming. The concert is free but open only to Behrend students. Gates open at 7 p.m. at the soccer complex.
The concert is an encore of sorts: Yung Gravy headlined the fall concert at Behrend in 2022. More than 1,600 students attended. The setlist included “Betty (Get Money),” “Oops!” and “Rotisserie.”
In April, Gravy signed with BMG. He has since teased out two singles, “HBO” and “My B!tch.” A full album is in the works.
His catalog now includes six albums, eight EPs and one mixtape. He has collaborated with Lil Wayne, Chief Keef, bbno$ and Juicy J.
The exclusive-to-students fall concert has become a tradition at Behrend. Previous concerts featured Waka Flocka Flame, All-American Rejects and the Dare. Spring events at the college have included concerts by Ludacris, Lee Brice, Hoodie Allen and Panic! At the Disco.
To learn more about activities and student organizations at Behrend, visit Discover West.