Travie McCoy

Travie McCoy, born on August 5, 1981, is a prominent American rapper, singer, and songwriter, best known as the co-founder and lead vocalist of the influential rap rock band Gym Class Heroes. The band was established in 1997 when McCoy and his classmate Matt McGinley connected through their shared passion for the East Coast punk rock scene.

Initially recording independently, Gym Class Heroes made a significant breakthrough after signing with Fueled by Ramen, leading to the release of their second album, The Papercut Chronicles, in 2005. This partnership paved the way for their major label debut, As Cruel as School Children, in 2006, which featured hit singles like 'Cupid's Chokehold' and 'Clothes Off!!'. In 2007, McCoy ventured into the music industry by launching his own label, BatSquad, where he signed the then-unknown rapper Tyga.

After the release of their album The Quilt in 2008, Gym Class Heroes took a hiatus, allowing McCoy to focus on his solo career. He signed with Decaydance in collaboration with T-Pain's Nappy Boy Entertainment to release his debut studio album, Lazarus, in 2010. The album's lead single, 'Billionaire' featuring Bruno Mars, achieved remarkable success, peaking at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning quadruple platinum certification from the RIAA.

In 2015, McCoy released the single 'Golden' featuring Sia, which received platinum certification from the Australian Recording Industry Association. In 2022, he signed with Hopeless Records to unveil his second solo album, Never Slept Better. The legacy of Gym Class Heroes was further solidified when they were inducted into the Rochester Music Hall of Fame in 2025.