Gupi | |
Alias: | Spencer Hawk/ Spenny |
Birth Name: | Spencer Anthony Hawk |
Birth Date: | 26 March 1999 |
Birth Place: | Encinitas, California, U.S. |
Father: | Tony Hawk --> |
Occupations: | Musician |
Years Active: | 2016–present |
Label: | Dog Show Records |
Associated Acts: | 100 Gecs, Fraxiom, A. G. Cook, Food House |
Spencer Anthony Hawk (born March 26, 1999), also known by their stage name Gupi, is an American electronic musician. Gupi is the child of skateboarder Tony Hawk.[1]
As a child, Hawk's mother encouraged them to learn the guitar, which started their interest in music. In school, they played in a rock band with several of their friends. When they discovered artists like Skrillex and Deadmau5, Hawk decided to pursue electronic music instead. They worked on electronic music throughout middle school and high school, and connected with other producers through SoundCloud. Hawk originally made music under the name W3N, but began releasing music as Gupi in 2016, when they were 17. It originally stood as an acronym for Guilty Until Proven Innocent.[2]
In 2018, Hawk released their second EP, All, through the record label RORA Team. Charli XCX heard their EP and asked them to do a session with her for her 2019 album, Charli. The work that they did was not released on her album, but Hawk had the opportunity to meet and work alongside A. G. Cook and Dylan Brady. In February 2020, Hawk released their debut album, None, through Dog Show Records, a record label owned by Brady. In October 2020, Hawk and Fraxiom released Food House under the Food House name, through the same label.[3]
Though their father is supportive of their work, Hawk says that they "[try] to make a very large point of not at all involving [their] dad" so that their accomplishments are considered to be their own.
Hawk has a degree in electronic production at Berklee, and graduated in 2021.
Ben Mangelsdorf of Underground Underdogs describes Gupi's music as experimental pop and compares it to the music of Sophie and Skrillex. Kyle Whiting of 34th Street Magazine calls Gupi's album None an "exhilarating thrillride of maximalist club tracks" that draw elements from genres like bubblegum bass, house, and dubstep. Matt Moen of Paper notes that the lead single from None, "Thos Moser", includes lyrics with multiple "irreverent non-sequiturs and pop culture shout outs".
Hawk states their musical influences as PC Music, System of a Down, Britney Spears, and a picture of Sonic the Hedgehog. They make all of their release artwork in the default Mac application Preview.
Year | Title | Album | |
---|---|---|---|
2020 | "Thos Moser" (with Fraxiom) | None | |
2020 | "Ride" (with Fraxiom as Food House) | Food House | |
2020 | "Mos Thoser" (with Fraxiom as Food House)[14] | Food House | |
2021 | "What's Known Now" | you're it | |
2021 | "Body Horror" | you're it | |
2021 | "Butterfly Knife" (with Fraxiom as Food House) | Non-album single | |
2021 | "Ongoing" | you're it | |
2022 | "1P-747 Chopped" | paper eater | |
2022 | "Master Builder 1999" | paper eater | |
2022 | "Foreverial" | paper eater |