Gym Class Heroes | |
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 Gym Class Heroes inBerlin, 2008 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Geneva, New York, U.S. |
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| Years active |
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| Labels | |
| Members | Travie McCoy |
| Past members |
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Gym Class Heroes is an Americanrap rock band fromGeneva, New York. The group formed in 1997 whenTravie McCoy met drummerMatt McGinley during their high schoolgym class. The band's music displays a wide variety of influences, includinghip hop,rock,funk, andreggae.
Gym Class Heroes released their debut album independently, and after the addition of guitarist Disashi Lumumba-Kasongo and bassist Eric Roberts in 2003, they signed toFueled by Ramen, and released the albumThe Papercut Chronicles (2005). They later signed toDecaydance Records (Fall Out Boy bassistPete Wentz's independent record label), on which they released the album,The Papercut Chronicles. The group gained a strong fanbase while promoting the album, appearing at festivals such asThe Bamboozle andVans Warped Tour.
In 2006, the group released thegold-selling albumAs Cruel as School Children. They crossed over into mainstream with the single "Cupid's Chokehold." which peaked at No. 4 on theBillboard Hot 100, and reached the top ten of the charts in various countries, including the United Kingdom. Their next single "Clothes Off!!" also peaked within the top ten of the charts in the United Kingdom. In 2007, they won theMTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist.
In 2008, Gym Class Heroes released their third album,The Quilt, and then they went on hiatus in 2009, a time in which the members pursued various side projects. McCoy released his solo debut albumLazarus in 2010. Lumumba-Kasongo has been working on his side-project Soul, while McGinley now drums in the rock groupKill the Frontman. The group releasedThe Papercut Chronicles II in 2011; its lead single, "Stereo Hearts", peaked at No. 4 on theBillboard Hot 100. Gym Class Heroes were inducted into the Rochester Music Hall of Fame in 2025.[1]
RapperTravie McCoy and drummerMatt McGinley became friends at their local high school in ninth grade in Geneva, New York.[2] They officially came together in 1997.[3] The band formed when bassist Ryan Geise and drummer Matt McGinley were performing at a party in an instrumental band with no vocals. McCoy, who was in attendance at the party, took the microphone onstage and started rapping.[4] A week later, the group came together and started making music.[citation needed]
The original group began playing college parties and BBQs, birthday parties, clubs, and festivals which eventually led to larger venues throughout the northeast, including four years onWarped Tour (2003, 2004, 2006, 2008). McCoy wonMTV's Direct Effect MC Battle and as a prize, appeared inStyles P's video "Daddy Get That Cash".[5] The group had three more releases from 1999 to 2004:Hed Candy,Greasy Kid Stuff, and...For the Kids.
In 2003 the band recorded the albumThe Papercut Chronicles while on tour. The members were not even finished working on the album, as it caught the attention ofFall Out Boy's bassistPete Wentz, who signed the group to his offspringFueled By Ramen label,Decaydance Records.[5] At this time, guitarist Milo Bonacci (who went on to formRa Ra Riot[6]) parted ways with the band and was replaced with current guitarist Disashi Lumumba-Kasongo (brother of the rapperSammus), who was attendingCornell University at the time.[7] On the first day the band began to rehearse with Lumumba-Kasongo, "Cupid's Chokehold" was written, which would become the album's first single.[7] McGinley recalled, "We just had intentions of working him in on old songs, but we ended up jamming on thisSupertramp thing for a minute and got carried away and wrote a song."[8] The group released the four-songPapercut Chronicles EP before finally releasingThe Papercut Chronicles in February 2005. After Eric Roberts replaced Ryan Geise on bass, the group toured constantly throughout 2005, appearing at the year'sSXSW,The Bamboozle, andWarped Tour festivals. They filmed a music video for the song "Taxi Driver."
In May 2006,WXSS, a radio station inMilwaukee, began playing "Cupid's Chokehold" shortly before the release of the band's second full-length album,As Cruel as School Children. The group's manager, Scott Nagelberg stated "As more stations added it, it became undeniable: This was the chance for this band to make it happen."[9] Although the band intended to promote a different song, "The Queen and I" as the album's lead single, the label shifted its focus to "Cupid's Chokehold". The group became frustrated with its association with the song after its scheduled performance of "The Queen and I" onJimmy Kimmel Live! was changed to "Cupid's Chokehold" last minute.[9] However, McGinley later stated, "Eventually, we saw the rationale. It's a little awkward, but it's still Gym Class Heroes. At the end of the day, it's a good song we all believe in, so we're happy it's getting a lot of attention."[9] It became the band's most successful single, peaking at No. 4 on theBillboard Hot 100.[10] On July 25, 2006, Gym Class Heroes releasedAs Cruel as School Children. The record contained guest appearances byPatrick Stump of Fall Out Boy andWilliam Beckett fromThe Academy Is.... The album marked a departure in the band's sound, with the band utilizingdrum machines andsynthesizers as opposed to the band's typical live instrumentation.
The band also gained popularity when McCoy was featured in theCobra Starship song "Snakes on a Plane (Bring It)", which was featured on thesoundtrack to the film.[11] Their next single "Clothes Off!!" peaked at No. 46 on theBillboard Hot 100 in 2007. In Europe, it reached the top ten of the charts in Finland, the Republic of Ireland, and the United Kingdom. Gym Class Heroes won the fan-votedBest New Artist award at the2007 MTV Video Music Awards.[12][13]
After headlining a seven-week U.S. tour called the "Daryl Hall for President Tour '07", the group returned to the studio to record new material. The resulting material becameThe Quilt, which was released on September 9, 2008. The album featured numerous collaborations with other artists, including Daryl Hall (fromHall & Oates),The-Dream,Estelle, andBusta Rhymes. Guitarist Disashi Lumumba-Kasongo said of the album:
"I would definitely say that this is the most collaborative album I've played on with the band. I remember the very first day we started jamming out and working on the songs. I thought, Man, I haven't felt like this since I was in high school jamming out in a garage.So it's kind of cool, 'cause it was that same feeling, except we were recording for a major album."[3]
Their single "Cookie Jar" featuring The Dream peaked at No. 59 on theBillboard Hot 100 and No. 6 on theUK Singles Chart.[14]
Gym Class Heroes co-headlined the 2008 Warped Tour along with Fueled by Ramen label matesParamore.[15] While the band was performing onstage inSt. Louis on July 2, 2008, McCoy was arrested after hitting a man from the crowd who had shouted racial slurs at him.[16] In a statement, McCoy's publicist said that the man hit McCoy's knee, which was in a brace after he had suffered a recent strain.[16]
Gym Class Heroes andthe Roots co-headlined a one-month US tour beginning in October 2008.[17][18]
Travie McCoy has pursued a solo career. In 2010, he released a hit single "Billionaire" withBruno Mars, which has been successful since its UK release in early May 2010 and also featured in Taio Cruz's single "Higher". He released his first solo album,Lazarus, on June 8, 2010. Lumumba-Kasongo created the side-project Soul in 2008, which he has currently been focusing on during Gym Class Heroes' break.[citation needed] The songs "Live a Little" and "No Place Left to Run" fromThe Quilt were originally intended to be used strictly for his side project, but McCoy heard the songs and convinced Lumumba-Kasongo to let Gym Class Heroes use the songs.[7] McGinley has been drumming in the rock groupKill the Frontman.[19]
McCoy had discussed the band's new album,The Papercut Chronicles II, "We're about 12 demos deep. All I got to say is it's definitely going back to the essence of Gym Class Heroes, which is four dudes sitting in a room, vibing off each other and making organic, dark metal."[20] On June 9, 2011, Gym Class Heroes released a song entitled "Stereo Hearts" which featuresAdam Levine fromMaroon 5. It was the first single to be released fromThe Papercut Chronicles II. It became available for download on iTunes on June 14, 2011. It peaked at No. 4 on theBillboard Hot 100. On October 18, 2011, Gym Class Heroes released a song entitled "Life Goes On" which featuresOh Land. It is the first and only promotional single to be released fromThe Papercut Chronicles II. On October 31, the band released their second single of the album, "Ass Back Home", featuringNeon Hitch viaiTunes.[21] The third single "The Fighter" featuresRyan Tedder fromOneRepublic and was released on November 8, 2011,[22] one week before the album's release on November 15. On November 20, 2011, Gym Class Heroes performed "Stereo Hearts" withAdam Levine on theAmerican Music Awards of 2011. The video for the fourth single, "Martyrial Girls", premiered on Fueled by Ramen's YouTube channel on August 27, 2012. Following the release of the single, the group ceased activity and entered a hiatus.
In 2018, the band returned to playing live, opening for311 andThe Offspring on their Never Ending Summer Tour. They were set to perform on the Vans Warped Tour 25th Anniversary Show in Atlantic City before abruptly breaking up again.[23][better source needed] In 2019, McCoy stated in an interview that Gym Class Heroes was still on a hiatus, with an uncertain duration.[24]
On October 11, 2022,When We Were Young Festival announced the band as part of the line-up for the 2023 edition of the festival.[25] In April 2023, the band was announced to be touring withAll Time Low, for the latter'sThe Sound of Letting Go on Tour.[26]
In April 2025, Gym Class Heroes were inducted into the Rochester Music Hall of Fame.[27][28]
AllMusic describes them as a "unique alternative-funk-rap outfit" and also states that their sounds melds elements ofrap,rock,R&B, andfunk into one cohesive and melodic sound.[5] Their sound has also been described as a mix ofalternative hip hop andpop-rap.[29] McCoy says of the band's musical style, "We've been the proverbial sore thumb our entire career. Even before we got signed toFueled by Ramen, we were playing shows withdeath metal and hardcore bands and whoever would let us play with them. I wouldn't even consider us a hip-hop band. Musically, it's just all over the place."[3] The band acknowledges '80sfunk-influenced R&B acts such asPrince andReady for the World as major influences on its sound.[30] Each member draws from different types of music for inspiration, with drummer Matt McGinley saying "there aren't many [types of music] we agree on."[2] McCoy cites 1970sblue-eyed soul groupHall & Oates as his biggest musical influence.[31]
Guitarist Disashi Lumumba-Kasango is mainly influenced by rock music, citingJimi Hendrix andMuse as an inspiration for his guitar playing.[2][32] Bassist Eric Roberts incorporates elements ofreggae into his playing, as well as styles influenced by metal bands such asThe Dillinger Escape Plan andMeshuggah.[32] McGinley favors funk and rock stylistics inspired by groups such asGreen Day,Red Hot Chili Peppers, and311.[2] Additionally, the band is noted for not usingsamples in its music, a practice commonly used in hip-hop. McCoy states that "It's more fun and organic in the live show. There's definitely a lot of acts that can pull off a DJ/MC thing but then a lot that can't. Also I guess it's all we know."[2] However,As Cruel as School Children does contain samples, with McGinley commenting, "We've always been a band and we never did sampling at all before but within the last couple of years we've embraced it more. In the songs we did with Patrick Stump we used it."[2]
| Year | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | MTV Video Music Awards | Best Group | Nominated |
| Best New Artist | Won | ||
| MTV European Music Awards | Ultimate Urban | Nominated | |
| 2012 | MuchMusic Video Awards | International Video of the Year - Group (Stereo Hearts) | Nominated |
| Most Streamed Video of the Year (Stereo Hearts) | Nominated | ||
| Teen Choice Awards | Choice Music: Group | Nominated | |
| Choice Music Single by a Group (Ass Back Home) | Nominated | ||
| Choice Summer Music Star Group | Nominated | ||
| MTV Video Music Awards | Best Video with a Message (The Fighter) | Nominated |
Interviews
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