Westside Gravy

Noah Shufutinsky
Also known asWestside Gravy
Young Gravy
Born1999 (age 26–27)
U.S.
GenresHip hop, rap
OccupationsRapper, activist
Years active2015–present

Noah Shufutinsky (born 1999), known by the stage name Westside Gravy (formerly Young Gravy), is an African-American Jewish rapper and activist.

Biography

Shufutinsky was raised in San Diego, California by an African-American Sephardi Jewish mother and an Ashkenazi Russian-Jewish father. His father Anton served in the US Navy, leading to the family frequently moving, and he has an older brother Dmitri who made aliyah and served in the IDF. He attended Jewish day schools growing up, and studied Judaic Studies at George Washington University, from which he graduated in 2021, after which he moved to Hadera, Israel.

He cites reggae, soul, California oldies, hip-hop, and jazz, all of which he grew up listening to, as musical influences. Shufutinsky's music speaks about his lived experiences as a Black and Jewish man, and against racism and antisemitism. In his song "Stereotypes", he mocks the antisemitic and anti-Black stereotypes and prejudice he has to deal with. Shufutinsky has spoken about using music as a tool to educate about racism, antisemitism, and Jewish identity. He frequently sings multilingually, switching between English and Hebrew, and occasionally other languages like Russian and Spanish, in the same song.

Shufutinsky has been vocal about his support for Zionism and Israel, being the president of GW for Israel during college. In 2020, Shufutinsky performed for the AIPAC Policy Conference in Washington, and in 2021 for the Jewish National Fund-USA. His song "Diaspora" speaks out against BDS-led efforts to attack and delegitimize Israel.

Discography

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Esensten, Andrew (October 12, 2021). "SoCal rapper Westside Gravy's next career move: Israel". J. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "'Don't 'All Lives Matter' My Zionism': Meet Young Gravy, The Next Great Jewish Rapper". The Forward. February 4, 2019. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 Pennisi-Glaser, Leah (June 7, 2021). "Rapping my identity". www.thejc.com. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  4. ↑ ""Westside Gravy" is spreading Jewish identity through Hip-Hop". The Jerusalem Post. March 3, 2022. ISSN 0792-822X. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  5. 1 2 Ghermezian, Shiryn (June 5, 2020). "Black Jewish Rapper Addresses Antisemitism, Racism and Dual Identity in His Music - Algemeiner.com". www.algemeiner.com. Retrieved August 21, 2023.