Yung Hurn: The Austrian Cloud Rap Pioneer

Yung Hurn is an Austrian rapper, singer, and producer who became a defining voice in German-language cloud rap and pop. Hailing from Vienna, his 2018 album 1220 achieved gold certification in Germany, cementing his status as a cult figure with mainstream success.

Early career

Born Julian Sellmeister in 1995, Yung Hurn began his musical journey in Vienna's diverse underground scene. His early work, characterized by lo-fi production and melancholic, often absurdist lyrics, was initially shared on platforms like SoundCloud and YouTube around 2015.

These DIY releases, including the mixtape Y, quickly garnered a dedicated online following. His distinctive blend of auto-tuned singing, trap beats, and a deliberately nonchalant style set him apart from traditional German hip-hop.

Breakthrough

Yung Hurn's national breakthrough arrived in 2016 with the viral single Nein. The track's catchy, repetitive hook and minimalist video became an internet phenomenon, propelling him beyond the niche cloud rap audience.

This success led to a major label deal with Universal Music and the release of his debut studio album, I Love You Yung Hurn, in 2017. The album debuted in the top 10 of the Austrian charts and entered the German album charts, confirming his commercial viability.

Key tracks

Nein — This viral 2016 hit broke Yung Hurn into the mainstream and remains his signature song.

Ok Cool — A quintessential cloud rap track from his early mixtape Y, defining his signature melancholic and detached style.

Bianco — A key track from the gold-certified album 1220, showcasing his evolution into a more polished pop-rap sound.

Wiener Schnitzel — This 2023 single marked a energetic comeback and demonstrated his enduring influence on the scene.

Later Developments and Influence

Following his debut album, Yung Hurn released the critically and commercially successful 1220 in 2018, which earned a gold award for over 100,000 sales. He has collaborated with prominent figures like RIN, Ski Aggu, and the producer Luciano, further expanding his reach.

In a surprising move in 2019, he announced his retirement from music, only to return actively in 2023. His work with the collective K.R.U.76 and his own label, Yung Hurn Records, underscores his role as an independent trendsetter within Austrian pop music.

Artists with a similar genre-blending and atmospheric approach include RIN, who also merges trap and pop melodies. Ski Aggu shares a playful, internet-savvy approach to German rap. The melodic style can also be heard in the work of badmómzjay.

Yung Hurn's music is a staple on German-language alternative and hip-hop radio stations, particularly those focusing on new wave and internet-born sounds. His tracks are regularly featured in the rotations of online radio streams dedicated to contemporary urban music from Central Europe.

Listeners can discover the unique cloud rap and pop sound of Yung Hurn through the various radio stations available on onairium.com, where his influential tracks are frequently broadcast.