Noah Shufutinsky (born 1999), [1] [2] known by the stage name Westside Gravy (formerly Young Gravy), is an African-American Jewish rapper and activist.
Shufutinsky was raised in San Diego, California by an African-American Sephardi Jewish mother and an Ashkenazi Russian-Jewish father. [1] [3] His father Anton served in the US Navy, leading to the family frequently moving, [2] and he has an older brother Dmitri who made aliyah and served in the IDF. He attended Jewish day schools growing up, [2] and studied Judaic Studies at George Washington University, [3] 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. [3] [4] 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. [5] Shufutinsky has spoken about using music as a tool to educate about racism, antisemitism, and Jewish identity. [5] He frequently sings multilingually, switching between English and Hebrew, and occasionally other languages like Russian and Spanish, in the same song. [1]
Shufutinsky has been vocal about his support for Zionism and Israel, being the president of GW for Israel during college. [2] In 2020, Shufutinsky performed for the AIPAC Policy Conference in Washington, [1] and in 2021 for the Jewish National Fund-USA. [1] His song "Diaspora" speaks out against BDS-led efforts to attack and delegitimize Israel.