Travie McCoy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Travie McCoy |
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McCoy in 2007
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Travis Lazarus McCoy |
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| Born | August 5, 1981 Geneva, New York, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1997–present |
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Travis Lazarus "Travie" McCoy, born on August 5, 1981, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. He is best known as a co-founder and the lead singer of the rap rock band Gym Class Heroes. He started the band in 1997 with his friend Matt McGinley.
Gym Class Heroes first recorded music on their own. Later, they signed with Fueled by Ramen and released The Papercut Chronicles in 2005. They then signed with Decaydance for their next album, As Cruel as School Children (2006). This album featured popular songs like "Cupid's Chokehold" and "Clothes Off!!." In 2007, McCoy started his own music label called BatSquad. After the band's album The Quilt came out in 2008, Gym Class Heroes took a break. McCoy then focused on his solo music.
He signed with Decaydance and T-Pain's Nappy Boy Entertainment. His first solo album, Lazarus, was released in 2010. The first song from the album, "Billionaire" featuring Bruno Mars, became a huge hit. It sold millions of copies in the U.S. In 2015, his song "Golden" featuring Sia also became very popular in Australia. In 2022, McCoy signed with Hopeless Records and released his second solo album, Never Slept Better. Gym Class Heroes were honored in 2025 when they were inducted into the Rochester Music Hall of Fame.
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Early Life and Education
Travis McCoy grew up in Geneva, New York. His father is of Haitian background, and his mother has Native American and Irish roots. When he was a child, McCoy had a skateboarding accident. He had to use a wheelchair for four months. This time helped him focus on his art.
At 15, McCoy started working as an apprentice at a tattoo parlor. Soon after, he began tattooing his friends. As a teenager, he enjoyed hardcore punk bands and underground rap music. He said he was "never a typical hip-hop kid" and didn't want to be put into one category. During high school, McCoy often traveled to Manhattan, New York, to take part in rap battles.
In high school, he played the drums. He even formed a rap group with his father and brother. He said it was "so bad!" and hoped the recordings would never be found.
McCoy met his future bandmate, Matt McGinley, in gym class. They became friends because they both loved music, especially punk rock, indie rock, and hip hop. After finishing Geneva High School, McCoy went to art school. He studied fine arts and illustration. However, he left school at age 20 to focus on tattooing and his music career.
Music Career Highlights
Forming Gym Class Heroes
Travis McCoy and Matt McGinley became friends in ninth grade gym class in Geneva, New York. They officially started Gym Class Heroes in 1997. The band began when Matt McGinley and bassist Ryan Geise were playing at a party without a singer. McCoy, who was at the party, grabbed the microphone and started rapping. A week later, the group decided to make music together.
Before Gym Class Heroes became famous, McCoy worked many jobs. He worked at a tattoo parlor, taught art at a Boys & Girls Club, and worked at a gas station. He decided to quit these jobs to focus on art full-time. He sold his paintings to make a living until the band became successful.
In the summer of 2002, McCoy appeared on MTV for the first time. He won a nationwide MC battle on the show Direct Effect.
Mainstream Success with Gym Class Heroes
Fueled by Ramen, a record label, signed Gym Class Heroes in 2003. This happened after guitarist Disashi Lumumba-Kasongo and bassist Eric Roberts joined the band. They later signed with Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz's Decaydance Records. The band worked with Fall Out Boy's singer, Patrick Stump, many times. Stump sang backup on their song "Cupid's Chokehold" from their album As Cruel as School Children. This album had two big hit songs: "Cupid's Chokehold," which reached No. 3 in the UK and No. 4 in the U.S., and "Clothes Off!!," which was a top ten hit in the UK.
McCoy also appeared in Cobra Starship's song "Snakes on a Plane (Bring It)." This helped make Gym Class Heroes even more popular. In 2007, Gym Class Heroes won the "Best New Artist" award at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards. Fans voted for this award.
In 2007, McCoy discovered a 17-year-old rapper named Tyga. McCoy started his own label, BatSquad, to sign Tyga and release his first album, No Introduction (2008). McCoy was Tyga's mentor and was featured on his song "Coconut Juice" in 2008.
The band's next album, The Quilt, was released on September 9, 2008. It reached No. 14 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart. The main song from the album, "Cookie Jar," reached No. 6 in the UK.
Solo Career and Lazarus Album
In 2010, Travis McCoy started his solo music career. He clarified that Gym Class Heroes had not broken up. He explained that band members often work on other music projects. McCoy had planned to release a different solo project at first. However, he decided to create something more positive. He moved to Miami, Florida, to record new music. He also decided to use the name "Travie" for his solo work. He said his friends and family had called him Travie for a long time.
In May 2010, McCoy released the very successful song "Billionaire" with Bruno Mars. This song has been certified four times platinum in the U.S. McCoy's first solo album, Lazarus, came out on June 8, 2010. He said it was the longest he had ever worked on a record. The album featured guest vocals from Bruno Mars, T-Pain, and Cee Lo Green.
Lazarus debuted at No. 25 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart. In August 2010, it was released in Europe and reached No. 69 on the UK Album Charts. "Need You" was the second song released from the album in the U.S. "We'll Be Alright" was released in the UK and was featured in the movie trailer for Yogi Bear.
In July and August 2010, McCoy joined Rihanna on some of her "Last Girl on Earth Tour" dates in North America. McCoy and Bruno Mars also toured Europe together in October and November 2010. McCoy performed at the 2010 MTV VMAs. In November 2010, he performed on the Australian Summerbeatz tour. The song "Billionaire" was also performed on an episode of Glee. McCoy was a guest star on the TV show Malibu Country and sang with Reba McEntire.
McCoy was featured on a remix of Jessica Jarrell's song "Up and Running." He also appeared on Livin's City of Brotherly Love album. In 2010, he worked with British singer Cheryl Cole on her album Messy Little Raindrops, appearing on the track "Yeah Yeah." In November 2010, McCoy collaborated with Taio Cruz on his song "Higher."
Gym Class Heroes released a new album, The Papercut Chronicles II, in November 2011. The song "Stereo Hearts" reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. McCoy performed this song with Adam Levine of Maroon 5 on Saturday Night Live and at the 2011 American Music Awards.
In 2012, McCoy worked with the English girl group Stooshe on their song "Love Me." On April 24, 2012, McCoy's song "I Came to Party" with former Hollywood Undead singer Deuce was released. In 2013, McCoy released "Rough Water" with Jason Mraz.
In March 2014, McCoy released "Keep On Keeping On," featuring Panic! at the Disco frontman Brendon Urie. This song was meant to be from McCoy's second solo album. The music video for the song came out on March 24. McCoy was also featured on Olly Murs' hit song "Wrapped Up" in October 2014. In 2015, McCoy released the song "Golden" featuring Sia, which became very popular in Australia.
Recent Years: Never Slept Better
After a break, McCoy signed with Hopeless Records in 2021. On July 15, 2022, he released his second solo album, Never Slept Better. The album included two singles, "A Spoonful of Cinnamon" and "Loved Me Back to Life," both with music videos. The album received good reviews.
In April 2025, Gym Class Heroes were inducted into the Rochester Music Hall of Fame.
Personal Life
Travis McCoy is good friends with Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz. McCoy was signed to Wentz's record label, Decaydance Records. He is also the godfather to Wentz's son, Bronx Mowgli Wentz.
McCoy is a big fan of collecting sneakers. In 2009, it was reported that he owned over 200 pairs of sneakers.
Relationships
Travis McCoy had a relationship with singer Katy Perry for several years. She appeared in his music video for "Cupid's Chokehold" in 2006. They were in a relationship for some time before breaking up in 2009.
On November 14, 2022, McCoy married Jessica Phillips McCoy.
Philanthropy
In November 2008, while at the MTV Europe Music Awards, McCoy became involved with MTV's Staying Alive Foundation. This group works to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and supports youth-led projects. McCoy was named the foundation's ambassador in 2009. In June 2009, he traveled to South Africa, India, and the Philippines with the Staying Alive Foundation. For World AIDS Day in 2009, MTV networks showed The Unbeaten Track, a documentary about his journey. McCoy also released a charity song called "One At A Time," with all money going to Staying Alive.
In December 2008, McCoy and Pete Wentz held an art exhibition in Los Angeles. The art was sold to benefit Invisible Children, a group that helps children in need.
Discography
- Lazarus (2010)
- Never Slept Better (2022)
