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| {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2021}} | |||
| {{Short description|American rapper and singer |
{{Short description|American rapper and singer (born 1981)}} | ||
| {{pp-pc1}} | {{pp-pc1}} | ||
| {{Infobox musical artist | {{Infobox musical artist | ||
| | |
| image = Travis McCoy (Schleprok).jpg | ||
| | |
| caption = McCoy in 2005 | ||
| | |
| birth_name = Travis Lazarus McCoy | ||
| | |
| alias = {{flatlist| | ||
| ⚫ | | |
||
| *Schleprok | *Schleprok | ||
| *Bernie Allen}} | *Bernie Allen}} | ||
| | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1981|08|05|mf=yes}} | | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1981|08|05|mf=yes}} | ||
| | birth_place = ], U.S. | | birth_place = ], U.S. | ||
| ⚫ | | genre = {{flatlist| | ||
| | residence = ], U.S. | |||
| ⚫ | * ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/travie-mccoy-mn0002450407|title=Travie McCoy|publisher=]}}</ref> | ||
| | genre = {{flatlist| | |||
| * ]<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/5-things-with-travie-mccoy-955496/ | title=5 Things with Travie McCoy | magazine=] }}</ref> | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | * ] | ||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spin.com/2010/05/pete-wentz-brendon-urie-travie-mccoy-video/|title=Pete Wentz in New Travie McCoy Video|last=Paine|first=Kelsey|work=]|publisher=]|date=May 6, 2010|access-date=May 9, 2016}}</ref> | |||
| ⚫ | * ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/travie-mccoy-mn0002450407|title=Travie McCoy|publisher=]}}</ref> | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| | occupation = {{flatlist| | | occupation = {{flatlist| | ||
| * Rapper | * Rapper | ||
| * singer | * singer | ||
| * songwriter | * songwriter | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| | years_active = 1997–present | | years_active = 1997–present | ||
| | label = {{flatlist| | | label = {{flatlist| | ||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | * ] | ||
| * ] | * ] | ||
| Line 33: | Line 29: | ||
| * ] | * ] | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| | |
| current_member_of = {{flatlist| | ||
| *] | *]}} | ||
| {{Infobox person | |||
| *Tequila Mockingbird | |||
| | child = yes | |||
| *] | |||
| | children = 2 | |||
| *]}} | |||
| | website = {{URL|traviemccoy.com}} | | website = {{URL|traviemccoy.com}} | ||
| }} | }}}} | ||
| '''Travis Lazarus "Travie" McCoy''' (born August 5, 1981)<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.allmusic.com/artist/travie-mccoy-mn0002450407/biography | title= Travie McCoy Biography| website= ]}}</ref> is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. He is the co-founder and |
'''Travis Lazarus''' "'''Travie'''" '''McCoy''' (born August 5, 1981)<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.allmusic.com/artist/travie-mccoy-mn0002450407/biography | title= Travie McCoy Biography| website= ]}}</ref> is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. He is the co-founder and lead vocalist of the ] band ], which he formed in 1997 with then-fellow teenager ], after the two became acquainted with the East Coast ] scene. After releasing their debut album independently, the group signed with ], a subsidiary of ], to release their second album, '']'' (2005). | ||
| During the band's hiatus, McCoy shifted focus onto his solo work and signed with the aforementioned label in a joint venture with ]'s ] to release his debut studio album, '']'' (2010).<ref>{{Citation |title=Lazarus by Travie McCoy |date=2010-06-07 |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/lazarus/374384305 |access-date=2023-04-18 |language=en-US}}</ref> Its lead single, "]" (featuring ]), peaked at number four on the ] and number three on the ], while the album was met with moderate critical and commercial response. In 2022, he signed with ] to release his second studio album, ''Never Slept Better'', in July of that year.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> | |||
| In 2007, McCoy launched the record label BatSquad Records to sign then-unknown American rapper ] and release his debut studio album, '']'' (2008).<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/391032-travie-mccoy-opens-up-about-tyga-giving-lil-wayne-credit-for-discovering-him-news|title=Travie McCoy Opens Up About Tyga Giving Lil Wayne Credit For Discovering Him|date=September 22, 2022|website=HotNewHipHop.com}}</ref> | |||
| ==Early life== | ==Early life== | ||
| McCoy was born and raised in ].<ref name="allmusic.com">{{cite web|last=Heaney |first=Gregory |url= {{ |
McCoy was born and raised in ].<ref name="allmusic.com">{{cite web|last=Heaney |first=Gregory |url= {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p2153890|pure_url=yes}} |title=Travis McCoy > Overview |publisher= Allmusic |access-date=September 24, 2010}}</ref> His father is ] and his mother is of ] and ] descent.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2008/09/gym-class-heroes-high-rollers/ |title=Gym Class Heroes: High Rollers |last= Diehl| first=Matt|publisher=SPIN.com |date=September 2, 2008 |access-date=September 24, 2010}}</ref> As a child, McCoy used a wheelchair for four months after a skateboarding accident; his lack of mobility allowed him to focus on art.<ref name="17Travie">{{cite web| url= http://www.seventeen.com/entertainment/features/travis-mccoy-qa|title=Travis McCoy Q & A| last= Spencer| first= Ashley|work=]|date=July 29, 2008 }}</ref> When he was 15, McCoy worked in a ] parlor as an apprentice, and shortly after, he began tattooing his friends.<ref name="Inked">{{cite web| url= http://www.inkedmag.com/article/new-friend-request-gym-class-heroes/page/1/|title=New Friend Request – Gym Class Heroes| last= Bayer| first= Jonah| work= Inked Magazine|publisher=Inked Media Group|access-date=December 27, 2010}}</ref> As a teenager, McCoy was a fan of ] bands such as ] and ], as well as underground rap acts such as ] and the ]. He says of his musical tastes "I was never a typical hip-hop kid. I didn't want to be pigeonholed."<ref name="NY Times">{{cite news| url= https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/10/arts/music/10gym.html?hp=&pagewanted=all|title=Following a New Route to Crossover Gold |last= Caramanica| first= Jon| date= September 10, 2008|work=] |access-date=December 28, 2010}}</ref> McCoy frequently took buses down to ], throughout high school to participate in ]s at the indie rap club Fat Beats.<ref name="NY Times"/> | ||
| McCoy played the drums in high school and created a rap group with his father and his brother called "True Life Playas", and says of the experience, "It was so bad! The tapes exist somewhere but hopefully they'll never be found."<ref name="Crossfire">{{cite web|url=http://www.caughtinthecrossfire.com/music/interviews-2/gym-class-heroes-interview/|title=Gym Class Heroes Interview|last=Reay|first=Cathy|work=Crossfire|date= |
McCoy played the drums in high school and created a rap group with his father and his brother called "True Life Playas", and says of the experience, "It was so bad! The tapes exist somewhere but hopefully they'll never be found."<ref name="Crossfire">{{cite web|url=http://www.caughtinthecrossfire.com/music/interviews-2/gym-class-heroes-interview/|title=Gym Class Heroes Interview|last=Reay|first=Cathy|work=Crossfire|date=October 23, 2006|access-date=December 28, 2010}}</ref> In high school, he met future bandmate ] in his gym class and the two bonded over a common interest in music, in particular ], ], and ]. They decided to start a band and played with other musicians until ] was formed in 1997.<ref> Allmusic.com, July 15, 2007</ref> After graduating from ], McCoy attended art school at ] in ] and majored in fine arts and illustration.<ref name="17Travie"/><ref name="Crossfire"/><ref name=SeventeenBio>{{cite web|url=http://www.seventeen.com/entertainment/celebrity-scene/feeds/travis-mccoy/news-travis-mccoy|title=Travis McCoy Bio|work=Seventeen|access-date=January 23, 2011|archive-date=January 9, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110109100354/http://www.seventeen.com/entertainment/celebrity-scene/feeds/travis-mccoy/news-travis-mccoy|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, he dropped out at age 20 to focus on his tattoo work and his musical career.<ref name="Inked"/> At one time, McCoy was working at a tattoo parlor, teaching art at a ] in the daytime, and working at a gas station at night.<ref name="17Travie"/> He decided to quit all three jobs and work on art full-time, opening an art show with his friend. He lived off of the money he made from selling paintings before Gym Class Heroes became successful.<ref name="17Travie"/> | ||
| ==Career== | ==Career== | ||
| {{BLP sources section|date=November 2014}} | {{BLP sources section|date=November 2014}} | ||
| McCoy made his ] debut in the summer of 2002, as he appeared on stage at the beach house, winning a standard nationwide MC battle that was held on the MTV show '']''.<ref>{{cite web | date= 2003| url= http://www.cutinc.org/UnityFest/bands.html | title= Musician Bios| website= cutinc.org| publisher= UnityFest| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20050929150615/http://www.cutinc.org/UnityFest/bands.html |archive-date= September 29, 2005 }}</ref> | |||
| ===Gym Class Heroes=== | ===1997–2011: Early work with Gym Class Heroes=== | ||
| McCoy and ] became friends at their local high school's ] in ninth grade in ].<ref name="Crossfire"/> They officially formed the group |
McCoy and ] became friends at their local high school's ] in ninth grade in ].<ref name="Crossfire"/> They officially formed the group in 1997.<ref name="Inked"/> The band originated when bassist Ryan Geise and drummer McGinley were performing at a party in a band with no vocals. McCoy, who was in attendance at the party, took the microphone onstage and started rapping.<ref name="TheTrades">{{cite web| url= http://www.the-trades.com/article.php?id=3129| title= Interview: Travis McCoy from Gym Class Heroes| last= Pascarella| first= Tony| date= April 19, 2005|work=The Trades| access-date= December 27, 2010| url-status= dead| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110527002614/http://www.the-trades.com/article.php?id=3129|archive-date=May 27, 2011}}</ref> A week later, the group came together and started making music. A prominent opening act for Gym Class Heroes was the critically acclaimed hip-hop group "ModifiedBlockStyle." After the addition of guitarist Disashi Lumumba-Kasongo and bassist Eric Roberts, Gym Class Heroes was signed to ] and ], ]'s independent record label. | ||
| On the label, the band released the gold-selling album '']''. Since that release, the band's single "]" reached #3 on the ] and #4 on the ]. "]" and "]" peaked at #5 and #6 on the ]. They have collaborated with ]'s ] on numerous occasions, notably for providing backing vocals on the song "]". Stump also produced the majority of their album '']'', which was released on September 9, 2008, and peaked at #14 on the U.S. ] chart and #41 on the ]. In 2009, McCoy remixed the ] song "]" for their remixes album, '']''. McCoy and ] released a new album, '']'', in November 2011.<ref> ''MTV News.''</ref> | On the label, the band released the gold-selling album '']''. Since that release, the band's single "]" reached #3 on the ] and #4 on the ]. "]" and "]" peaked at #5 and #6 on the ]. They have collaborated with ]'s ] on numerous occasions, notably for providing backing vocals on the song "]". Stump also produced the majority of their album '']'', which was released on September 9, 2008, and peaked at #14 on the U.S. ] chart and #41 on the ]. In 2009, McCoy remixed the ] song "]" for their remixes album, '']''. McCoy and ] released a new album, '']'', in November 2011.<ref> ''MTV News.''</ref> | ||
| ===2010–2014: "Billionaire" and ''Lazarus''=== | |||
| ===Solo career=== | |||
| ] | ] | ||
| McCoy began a solo career in 2010. He denied rumors that Gym Class Heroes had broken up, asserting that "Since the inception of Gym Class in 1997, every member has had another musical outlet, if not three or four. This is just another one of those."<ref name="Rising">{{cite |
McCoy began a solo career in 2010. He denied rumors that Gym Class Heroes had broken up, asserting that "Since the inception of Gym Class in 1997, every member has had another musical outlet, if not three or four. This is just another one of those."<ref name="Rising">{{cite magazine| url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/958511/travis-mccoy-is-rising-with-lazarus-solo-debut|title=Travis McCoy Is Rising With 'Lazarus' Solo Debut |last= Graff| first=Gary|date=April 23, 2010| magazine= ] |access-date=January 23, 2011}}</ref> McCoy had originally prepared to record an introspective album of "sad and somber" acoustic songs reflective of his state of mind following his breakup with ] and his addiction to ].<ref name="Demons">{{cite magazine| url= https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/travie-mccoy-beats-his-demons-crafts-bumping-summer-solo-debut-20100507| title=Travie McCoy Beats His Demons, Crafts Bumping Summer Solo Debut| last=O'Donnell|first=Kevin|date=May 7, 2010|access-date=January 23, 2011| magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref> However, he decided to scrap his early material and start over, calling the early material "too personal." He explained, "I didn't want that to be my first look as a solo artist," and compared the album to ]'s '']''.<ref name= "Rising"/><ref name="Demons"/> | ||
| He relocated to ], ], to record new material and recover from his addiction, which helped him to create a more upbeat album because he "want to do something positive."<ref name= "Demons"/> McCoy decided to officially call himself "Travie" instead of Travis; he explained that he has been called Travie by friends and family for "as long as can remember."<ref name="New Direction">{{cite web |
He relocated to ], ], to record new material and recover from his addiction, which helped him to create a more upbeat album because he "want to do something positive."<ref name= "Demons"/> McCoy decided to officially call himself "Travie" instead of Travis; he explained that he has been called Travie by friends and family for "as long as can remember."<ref name="New Direction">{{cite web|url= http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2010/05/02/entertainment/doc4bdb1872a3b2c437143381.txt?viewmode=default|title= Travie McCoy: New Name, New Direction|last= Graff|first= Gary|work= ]|date= May 2, 2010|access-date= January 22, 2011|archive-date= March 28, 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120328165122/http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2010/05/02/entertainment/doc4bdb1872a3b2c437143381.txt?viewmode=default|url-status= dead}}</ref> He believes that the new name allows listeners to become "that much closer" to him and to "feel much more comfortable with calling me Travie and being part of the family."<ref name= "New Direction"/> | ||
| In early May 2010, McCoy released the hit single "]" with ], which has been successful in Europe and the U.S. since its release. McCoy released his first solo album, '']'' on June 8, 2010, after being in the works for a year and a half. He calls the album "The longest, I think, I've spent on a record in my whole career."<ref name="Rising"/> He stated that he wanted to keep the number of collaborations on the album "kinda tight," but he plans to work with other artists on remixes of the album.<ref name= "Rising"/> Producers on the album include Bruno Mars, ], ], The Stereotypes, ], Oligee and ]; Mars, T-Pain and ] provide guest vocals. | In early May 2010, McCoy released the hit single "]" with ], which has been successful in Europe and the U.S. since its release. McCoy released his first solo album, '']'' on June 8, 2010, after being in the works for a year and a half. He calls the album "The longest, I think, I've spent on a record in my whole career."<ref name="Rising"/> He stated that he wanted to keep the number of collaborations on the album "kinda tight," but he plans to work with other artists on remixes of the album.<ref name= "Rising"/> Producers on the album include Bruno Mars, ], ], The Stereotypes, ], Oligee and ]; Mars, T-Pain and ] provide guest vocals. | ||
| ⚫ | The album debuted at number 25 on the U.S. ] chart with sales of 15,000 copies.<ref>{{cite web |last=Jacobs |first=Allen |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.11493/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-6-13-2010 |title=Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 6/13/2010 |website= Hiphopdx.com |date=June 18, 2010 |access-date=November 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927210940/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.11493/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-6-13-2010 |archive-date=September 27, 2012 |url-status= dead }}</ref> On August 21, 2010 ''Lazarus'' was released in ] and entered the ] at number 69, its peak position thus far.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.officialcharts.com/artists/ |title=Travie McCoy |publisher=] |date=August 21, 2010 |access-date=September 24, 2010 }}</ref> "Need You" was the second single from the album in the U.S, released in September 2010. "]" was released on October 25, 2010, as the second single in the UK. It was featured in the movie trailer of '']''.<ref name= "traviemccoy.com"/> In July and August 2010, McCoy supported ] on some of the North American dates of her ].<ref name="traviemccoy.com">{{cite web| url=http://www.traviemccoy.com |title=Travie McCoy | Official Website: Updates, Interactive and more |publisher= Travie McCoy| website= TravieMcCoy.com |access-date= September 24, 2010}}</ref> McCoy and Bruno Mars embarked on a 13-date tour of Europe throughout October and November. They played five dates in the United Kingdom, four in ] and one each in the ], ], ] and ].<ref name= "traviemccoy.com"/> McCoy performed at the 2010 MTV VMAs on September 12, 2010, on the main stage before the program cut to a performance by ]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/travie-mccoy/306038 |title= Travie McCoy |date=September 9, 2010| website= TVGuide.com }}</ref> In November 2010, McCoy performed on the Australian ] tour alongside ], ] and ]. "Billionaire" was performed on the September 21, 2010, episode of '']''.<ref>{{cite web| url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Pv-YkhlzBw |title=Broadcast Yourself |via= YouTube |access-date= November 11, 2010}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead Youtube links|date=February 2022}}</ref> McCoy was a guest star on the sitcom "Shell Games", the third episode of '']'', and sang with ]. | ||
| ⚫ | ], ], ].]] | ||
| ⚫ | ], ].]] | ||
| ⚫ | The album debuted at number 25 on the U.S. ] chart with sales of 15,000 copies.<ref>{{cite web |last=Jacobs |first=Allen |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.11493/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-6-13-2010 |title=Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 6/13/2010 |website= Hiphopdx.com |date= |
||
| ⚫ | McCoy is featured on the remix of ] singer Jessica Jarrell's debut single "Up and Running," on the singer's upcoming debut album on ].<ref>{{cite web|author=maria |url=http://thehypefactor.com/jessica-jarrell-up-and-running-and-remix-feat-travie-mccoy/ |title=Jessica Jarrell – Up And Running + (Remix) feat. Travie McCoy Lyrics MP3 Song Download |website= thehypefactor.com |date=August 2, 2010 |access-date=November 11, 2010}}</ref> McCoy is also featured on Livin's '']'' album, scheduled to be released in early 2011 on 700 Level Entertainment. The track "When I Approach" features Livin, McCoy and ], and is produced by Sev-One. A video released on ] showed McCoy recording the song. In mid-2010 he worked with producer ] and British singer ] for her upcoming album. He is featured on the track "Yeah Yeah" of Cole's album '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://popdash.com/news/2062/cheryl-cole-announces-full-album-details |title=Cheryl Cole Announces Full Album Details |publisher=PopDash |date=October 7, 2010 |access-date=November 11, 2010}}</ref> In November 2010, McCoy collaborated with English ] artist ] on Cruz's single "]". He performed "]" with ] of ] on November 5, 2011, on '']''. Gym Class Heroes performed the song with Levine at the ] as well. In January 2012, McCoy collaborated with English Girl Group ] with their single ]. On April 24, 2012, McCoy's song with ex ] singer, ], was released on Deuce's album '']''. The title of the track is "]". | ||
| ⚫ | In 2013, McCoy released "Rough Water", a single with ]. On March 23, 2014, McCoy released the single "Keep On Keeping On" with ] lead singer ]. The music video for the song premiered on ] and YouTube on March 24.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://freeonsmash.com/music/travie-mccoy-keep-on-keeping-on-feat-brendon-urie/ |title=Travie McCoy - Keep On Keeping On (feat. Brendon Urie) |publisher=OnSMASH| website= freeonsmash.com|date=March 24, 2014 }}</ref> He features on ]' hit single "]", released in October 2014. | ||
| ⚫ | McCoy is featured on the remix of ] singer |
||
| === 2014–present: Hiatus and ''Never Slept Better'' === | |||
| ⚫ | In 2013, |
||
| After a long hiatus speculated to have been due to McCoy focusing on his personal life, he signed with ] in 2021. On July 15 of the following year, he released his second studio album, ''Never Slept Better''.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Milligan |first=Shaun |date=2022-08-14 |title=Travie McCoy - "Never Slept Better" |url=https://everythingisnoise.net/reviews/travie-mccoy-never-slept-better/ |access-date=2023-04-18 |website=Everything Is Noise |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Citation |title=Travie McCoy discography |date=2023-04-18 |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/search/?title=Travie_McCoy_discography&oldid=1150510278 |work=Misplaced Pages |access-date=2023-04-18 |language=en}}</ref> The album was supported by two singles, "A Spoonful of Cinnamon" and "Loved Me Back to Life", which were also given accompanying music videos.<ref>{{Citation |title=Travie McCoy discography |date=2023-04-18 |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/search/?title=Travie_McCoy_discography&oldid=1150510278 |work=Misplaced Pages |access-date=2023-04-18 |language=en}}</ref> Despite releasing to mainly positive reviews, neither the album nor any of its singles charted in the United States or Europe. | |||
| ==Other ventures== | |||
| {{BLP unsourced section|date=March 2016}} | |||
| McCoy runs his own music imprint called The Bat Squad, which consists of Tim William, Nicholas Scimeca, Tequila Mockingbird, The Lazarus Project and himself. McCoy and Nicholas Scimeca formed the duo Tequila Mockingbird which is also signed under ], and they are working on a project. They recently released the songs "Brooklyn Basement" and "Snowglobe", a track that ended in Mic Terror's mixtaper "The Late Pass Volume 2". | |||
| ==Personal life== | ==Personal life== | ||
| In |
In March 2007, McCoy opened up about his battle with addiction to ]s. He stated that he had been addicted to ] since he was 15 years old.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://traviesblog.com/post/28264148/baby-im-a-blur-so-ive-had-a-little-time-on-my |date= March 7, 2008 |work= Travis McCoy blog |title= Friday March 7th, 2008 |access-date= June 23, 2008 |archive-date= March 11, 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090311042742/http://traviesblog.com/post/28264148/baby-im-a-blur-so-ive-had-a-little-time-on-my |url-status= dead }}</ref> The death of his best friend in 2007 led McCoy to retreat further into his addiction, leading him to "dive into drugs face-first." He went through his second stint in a detox program, and claimed that his ] had been cleaned. He said of the experience, "I feel like a layer of shit has been peeled off of my brain." On his blog, he also stated that "I felt an enormous amount of guilt for glorifying drug use in our music."<ref name="MTV Blog">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1583063/travis-mccoy-blogs-about-drug-addiction.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110403020337/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1583063/travis-mccoy-blogs-about-drug-addiction.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 3, 2011|title=Gym Class Heroes' Travis McCoy Blogs About His Drug Addiction, Rehab|date=March 10, 2008|access-date=January 20, 2011|work=MTV News|last=Kaufman|first=Gil}}</ref> | ||
| McCoy dated singer ] for over two years. After they split up in December 2008,<ref name="TravieSplit">{{cite web|title=Katy Perry And Travis Split|url=https://www.mtv.co.uk/news/wcu5o5/katy-perry-and-travis-split|publisher=MTV|date=January 5, 2009}}</ref> they briefly reconciled before Perry ended their relationship via email due to his drug addiction in 2009.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=October 16, 2012|title=Travie Travis Mccoy Still Hurt About Katy Perry Split Email|url=https://www.contactmusic.com/news/travie-mccoy-still-hurt-about-katy-perry-split-email_3327876|access-date=2022-01-11|website=Contactmusic.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Dennis|first=Alicia|date=April 27, 2009|title=Katy Perry and Travis McCoy: Back Together|url=https://www.zimbio.com/Travis+McCoy/articles/33/Katy+Perry+Travis+McCoy+Back+Together|access-date=2022-01-11|website=Zimbio|language=en}}</ref> In late November 2006, she played his love interest in the music video for "Cupid's Chokehold".<ref name="Cupid">{{cite web|author=Gym Class Heroes|title=Cupid's Chokehold|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiiU-Fky18s |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/eiiU-Fky18s |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|publisher=]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> McCoy is allegedly the subject of Perry's song "]" from her 2010 album '']''.<ref>{{cite news|author=Wenn.Com |url=http://www.torontosun.com/entertainment/music/2010/10/03/15564406-wenn-story.html |title=Ex bites back at Katy Perry diss |newspaper= Toronto Sun |date= October 3, 2010 |access-date=November 11, 2010}}</ref> In 2012, McCoy took responsibility for the relationship's failure, stating that he "chose drugs over our relationship... I started to doubt my role in her life. There were times I felt like a stepping ladder."<ref name=":0" /> | |||
| ===Legal issues=== | |||
| On July 2, 2008, McCoy was arrested after hitting a man on the head with his microphone. The man had been in the crowd at a concert in St. Louis when he shouted racial slurs at McCoy.<ref name= RollingStone20080702>{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2008/07/02/gym-class-heroes-singer-arrested-for-assault-after-racial-slur/|title=Gym Class Heroes Frontman Arrested For Assault After Reacting to Racial Slur| last= Michel| first= Dan| date= 2008-07-02| work= Rolling Stone|access-date=2008-07-07}}</ref> McCoy asked the man, "What did you just call me?" As security was removing the man from the venue, McCoy brought the man on stage to call him out in front of the crowd. 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. McCoy was later charged with third-degree assault and a warrant issued for his arrest.<ref name="RollingStone20080702"/> On October 28, 2010, McCoy was arrested again while on tour in ] for ] the ]. He was later released on €1,500 bail ($2,081), and continued on his European tour in ].<ref name="Graffiti">{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/952311/travie-mccoy-arrested-in-berlin-for-spraying-graffiti|title=Travie McCoy Arrested in Berlin for Spraying Graffiti| last= Roxborough| first= Scott|work=Billboard|date=2010-10-29|access-date=2011-01-08}}</ref> He later posted a picture of the artwork on his ] account.<ref name="Graffiti"/> | |||
| On July 2, 2008, McCoy was arrested for aggravated assault after hitting a man on the head with his microphone. The man had been in the crowd at a concert in St. Louis when he shouted racial slurs at McCoy. McCoy asked the man, "What did you just call me?" In a statement, McCoy's publicist said that the man had hit McCoy's knee, which was in a brace after he had suffered a recent strain. McCoy was later charged with third-degree assault and a warrant issued for his arrest. | |||
| On October 28, 2010, McCoy was arrested again while on tour in ], ] for ] the ].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Doyle |first=Patrick |date=2010-10-29 |title=Travie McCoy Arrested for Spraying Berlin Wall With Graffiti |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/travie-mccoy-arrested-for-spraying-berlin-wall-with-graffiti-69955/ |access-date=2023-04-18 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref> He was later released on €1,500 bail ($2,081), and continued on his European tour in ]. He later posted a picture of the vandalism on his ] account.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Berlin wall. I'm def gettin up on this before we leave tonight!!! |url=https://twitter.com/TravieMcCoy/status/28929379851 |access-date=2023-04-18 |website=Twitter |language=en}}</ref> | |||
| McCoy dated singer ] for two years, with their relationship ending in December 2008.<ref name=TravieSplit>{{cite web|title=Katy Perry And Travis Split|url=http://www.mtv.co.uk/katy-perry/news/katy-perry-and-travis-split|publisher=MTV|date=January 5, 2009}}</ref> In late November 2006, she played his love interest in the music video for "Cupid's Chokehold".<ref name="Cupid">{{cite web|author=Gym Class Heroes|title=Cupid's Chokehold|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiiU-Fky18s|publisher=]}}</ref> He later said of the relationship: "I'm over it. There's no bad blood. I wish her nothing but the best in her future endeavors." and "We both have gone our separate ways so it is what it is."<ref name="Associated Press">{{cite news|url=http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/37569782/ns/today-entertainment/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100611013335/http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/37569782/ns/today-entertainment|url-status=dead|archive-date=2010-06-11|title=From negative to positive for Travie McCoy|last=Fekadu|first=Mesfin|agency=Associated Press| date= 2010-06-08| access-date= 2011-01-08}}</ref> McCoy is allegedly the subject of Perry's song "]" from her 2010 album '']''.<ref>{{cite web|author=Wenn.Com |url=http://www.torontosun.com/entertainment/music/2010/10/03/15564406-wenn-story.html |title=Ex bites back at Katy Perry diss |work= Toronto Sun |date= 2010-10-03 |access-date=2010-11-11}}</ref> | |||
| ==Discography== | ==Discography== | ||
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| {{See also|Gym Class Heroes discography}} | {{See also|Gym Class Heroes discography}} | ||
| * '']'' (2010) | * '']'' (2010) | ||
| * ''Never Slept Better'' (2022) | |||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
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| ==External links== | ==External links== | ||
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Latest revision as of 10:29, 13 December 2024
American rapper and singer (born 1981)
| Travie McCoy | |
|---|---|
.jpg) McCoy in 2005 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Travis Lazarus McCoy |
| Also known as |
|
| Born | (1981-08-05) August 5, 1981 (age 43) Geneva, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1997–present |
| Labels | |
| Member of | |
| Children | 2 |
| Website | traviemccoy |
Travis Lazarus "Travie" McCoy (born August 5, 1981) is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. He is the co-founder and lead vocalist of the rap rock band Gym Class Heroes, which he formed in 1997 with then-fellow teenager Matt McGinley, after the two became acquainted with the East Coast punk rock scene. After releasing their debut album independently, the group signed with Fueled by Ramen, a subsidiary of Warner Music Group, to release their second album, The Papercut Chronicles (2005).
During the band's hiatus, McCoy shifted focus onto his solo work and signed with the aforementioned label in a joint venture with T-Pain's Nappy Boy Entertainment to release his debut studio album, Lazarus (2010). Its lead single, "Billionaire" (featuring Bruno Mars), peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and number three on the UK singles chart, while the album was met with moderate critical and commercial response. In 2022, he signed with Hopeless Records to release his second studio album, Never Slept Better, in July of that year.
In 2007, McCoy launched the record label BatSquad Records to sign then-unknown American rapper Tyga and release his debut studio album, No Introduction (2008).
Early life
McCoy was born and raised in Geneva, New York. His father is Haitian and his mother is of Native American and Irish descent. As a child, McCoy used a wheelchair for four months after a skateboarding accident; his lack of mobility allowed him to focus on art. When he was 15, McCoy worked in a tattoo parlor as an apprentice, and shortly after, he began tattooing his friends. As a teenager, McCoy was a fan of hardcore punk bands such as Snapcase and Earth Crisis, as well as underground rap acts such as Company Flow and the Arsonists. He says of his musical tastes "I was never a typical hip-hop kid. I didn't want to be pigeonholed." McCoy frequently took buses down to Manhattan, New York, throughout high school to participate in battle raps at the indie rap club Fat Beats.
McCoy played the drums in high school and created a rap group with his father and his brother called "True Life Playas", and says of the experience, "It was so bad! The tapes exist somewhere but hopefully they'll never be found." In high school, he met future bandmate Matt McGinley in his gym class and the two bonded over a common interest in music, in particular punk rock, indie rock, and hip hop. They decided to start a band and played with other musicians until Gym Class Heroes was formed in 1997. After graduating from Geneva High School, McCoy attended art school at Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute in Utica, NY and majored in fine arts and illustration. However, he dropped out at age 20 to focus on his tattoo work and his musical career. At one time, McCoy was working at a tattoo parlor, teaching art at a Boys & Girls Club in the daytime, and working at a gas station at night. He decided to quit all three jobs and work on art full-time, opening an art show with his friend. He lived off of the money he made from selling paintings before Gym Class Heroes became successful.
Career
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McCoy made his MTV debut in the summer of 2002, as he appeared on stage at the beach house, winning a standard nationwide MC battle that was held on the MTV show Direct Effect.
1997–2011: Early work with Gym Class Heroes
McCoy and Matt McGinley became friends at their local high school's gym class in ninth grade in Geneva, New York. They officially formed the group in 1997. The band originated when bassist Ryan Geise and drummer McGinley were performing at a party in a band with no vocals. McCoy, who was in attendance at the party, took the microphone onstage and started rapping. A week later, the group came together and started making music. A prominent opening act for Gym Class Heroes was the critically acclaimed hip-hop group "ModifiedBlockStyle." After the addition of guitarist Disashi Lumumba-Kasongo and bassist Eric Roberts, Gym Class Heroes was signed to Fueled by Ramen and Decaydance Records, Pete Wentz's independent record label.
On the label, the band released the gold-selling album As Cruel as School Children. Since that release, the band's single "Cupid's Chokehold" reached #3 on the UK Singles Chart and #4 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Clothes Off!!" and "Cookie Jar" peaked at #5 and #6 on the UK Singles Chart. They have collaborated with Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump on numerous occasions, notably for providing backing vocals on the song "Cupid's Chokehold". Stump also produced the majority of their album The Quilt, which was released on September 9, 2008, and peaked at #14 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart and #41 on the UK Albums Chart. In 2009, McCoy remixed the Bring Me the Horizon song "Chelsea Smile" for their remixes album, Suicide Season: Cut Up!. McCoy and Gym Class Heroes released a new album, The Papercut Chronicles II, in November 2011.
2010–2014: "Billionaire" and Lazarus
.jpg)
McCoy began a solo career in 2010. He denied rumors that Gym Class Heroes had broken up, asserting that "Since the inception of Gym Class in 1997, every member has had another musical outlet, if not three or four. This is just another one of those." McCoy had originally prepared to record an introspective album of "sad and somber" acoustic songs reflective of his state of mind following his breakup with Katy Perry and his addiction to painkillers. However, he decided to scrap his early material and start over, calling the early material "too personal." He explained, "I didn't want that to be my first look as a solo artist," and compared the album to Kanye West's 808s & Heartbreak.
He relocated to Miami, Florida, to record new material and recover from his addiction, which helped him to create a more upbeat album because he "want to do something positive." McCoy decided to officially call himself "Travie" instead of Travis; he explained that he has been called Travie by friends and family for "as long as can remember." He believes that the new name allows listeners to become "that much closer" to him and to "feel much more comfortable with calling me Travie and being part of the family."
In early May 2010, McCoy released the hit single "Billionaire" with Bruno Mars, which has been successful in Europe and the U.S. since its release. McCoy released his first solo album, Lazarus on June 8, 2010, after being in the works for a year and a half. He calls the album "The longest, I think, I've spent on a record in my whole career." He stated that he wanted to keep the number of collaborations on the album "kinda tight," but he plans to work with other artists on remixes of the album. Producers on the album include Bruno Mars, T-Pain, The Smeezingtons, The Stereotypes, Lucas Secon, Oligee and Josh Abraham; Mars, T-Pain and Cee Lo Green provide guest vocals.
The album debuted at number 25 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart with sales of 15,000 copies. On August 21, 2010 Lazarus was released in Europe and entered the UK Album Charts at number 69, its peak position thus far. "Need You" was the second single from the album in the U.S, released in September 2010. "We'll Be Alright" was released on October 25, 2010, as the second single in the UK. It was featured in the movie trailer of Yogi Bear. In July and August 2010, McCoy supported Rihanna on some of the North American dates of her Last Girl on Earth Tour. McCoy and Bruno Mars embarked on a 13-date tour of Europe throughout October and November. They played five dates in the United Kingdom, four in Germany and one each in the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and France. McCoy performed at the 2010 MTV VMAs on September 12, 2010, on the main stage before the program cut to a performance by N.E.R.D. In November 2010, McCoy performed on the Australian Summerbeatz tour alongside Flo Rida, Jay Sean and Soulja Boy. "Billionaire" was performed on the September 21, 2010, episode of Glee. McCoy was a guest star on the sitcom "Shell Games", the third episode of Malibu Country, and sang with Reba McEntire.
McCoy is featured on the remix of teen-pop singer Jessica Jarrell's debut single "Up and Running," on the singer's upcoming debut album on Island Records. McCoy is also featured on Livin's City of Brotherly Love album, scheduled to be released in early 2011 on 700 Level Entertainment. The track "When I Approach" features Livin, McCoy and Joe Budden, and is produced by Sev-One. A video released on YouTube showed McCoy recording the song. In mid-2010 he worked with producer Starsmith and British singer Cheryl Cole for her upcoming album. He is featured on the track "Yeah Yeah" of Cole's album Messy Little Raindrops. In November 2010, McCoy collaborated with English R&B artist Taio Cruz on Cruz's single "Higher". He performed "Stereo Hearts" with Adam Levine of Maroon 5 on November 5, 2011, on Saturday Night Live. Gym Class Heroes performed the song with Levine at the American Music Awards of 2011 as well. In January 2012, McCoy collaborated with English Girl Group Stooshe with their single Love Me. On April 24, 2012, McCoy's song with ex Hollywood Undead singer, Deuce, was released on Deuce's album Nine Lives. The title of the track is "I Came to Party".
In 2013, McCoy released "Rough Water", a single with Jason Mraz. On March 23, 2014, McCoy released the single "Keep On Keeping On" with Panic! at the Disco lead singer Brendon Urie. The music video for the song premiered on Idolator and YouTube on March 24. He features on Olly Murs' hit single "Wrapped Up", released in October 2014.
2014–present: Hiatus and Never Slept Better
After a long hiatus speculated to have been due to McCoy focusing on his personal life, he signed with Hopeless Records in 2021. On July 15 of the following year, he released his second studio album, Never Slept Better. The album was supported by two singles, "A Spoonful of Cinnamon" and "Loved Me Back to Life", which were also given accompanying music videos. Despite releasing to mainly positive reviews, neither the album nor any of its singles charted in the United States or Europe.
Personal life
In March 2007, McCoy opened up about his battle with addiction to opioids. He stated that he had been addicted to pharmaceuticals since he was 15 years old. The death of his best friend in 2007 led McCoy to retreat further into his addiction, leading him to "dive into drugs face-first." He went through his second stint in a detox program, and claimed that his opiate receptors had been cleaned. He said of the experience, "I feel like a layer of shit has been peeled off of my brain." On his blog, he also stated that "I felt an enormous amount of guilt for glorifying drug use in our music."
McCoy dated singer Katy Perry for over two years. After they split up in December 2008, they briefly reconciled before Perry ended their relationship via email due to his drug addiction in 2009. In late November 2006, she played his love interest in the music video for "Cupid's Chokehold". McCoy is allegedly the subject of Perry's song "Circle the Drain" from her 2010 album Teenage Dream. In 2012, McCoy took responsibility for the relationship's failure, stating that he "chose drugs over our relationship... I started to doubt my role in her life. There were times I felt like a stepping ladder."
Legal issues
On July 2, 2008, McCoy was arrested for aggravated assault after hitting a man on the head with his microphone. The man had been in the crowd at a concert in St. Louis when he shouted racial slurs at McCoy. McCoy asked the man, "What did you just call me?" In a statement, McCoy's publicist said that the man had hit McCoy's knee, which was in a brace after he had suffered a recent strain. McCoy was later charged with third-degree assault and a warrant issued for his arrest.
On October 28, 2010, McCoy was arrested again while on tour in Berlin, Germany for tagging the Berlin Wall. He was later released on €1,500 bail ($2,081), and continued on his European tour in Amsterdam. He later posted a picture of the vandalism on his Twitter account.
Discography
Main article: Travie McCoy discography See also: Gym Class Heroes discography- Lazarus (2010)
- Never Slept Better (2022)
References
- "Travie McCoy". AllMusic.
- "5 Things with Travie McCoy". Billboard.
- "Travie McCoy Biography". AllMusic.
- Lazarus by Travie McCoy, June 7, 2010, retrieved April 18, 2023
- ^ Milligan, Shaun (August 14, 2022). "Travie McCoy - "Never Slept Better"". Everything Is Noise. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
- ^ "Travie McCoy discography", Misplaced Pages, April 18, 2023, retrieved April 18, 2023
- "Travie McCoy Opens Up About Tyga Giving Lil Wayne Credit For Discovering Him". HotNewHipHop.com. September 22, 2022.
- Heaney, Gregory. "Travis McCoy > Overview". Allmusic. Retrieved September 24, 2010.
- Diehl, Matt (September 2, 2008). "Gym Class Heroes: High Rollers". SPIN.com. Retrieved September 24, 2010.
- ^ Spencer, Ashley (July 29, 2008). "Travis McCoy Q & A". Seventeen.
- ^ Bayer, Jonah. "New Friend Request – Gym Class Heroes". Inked Magazine. Inked Media Group. Retrieved December 27, 2010.
- ^ Caramanica, Jon (September 10, 2008). "Following a New Route to Crossover Gold". The New York Times. Retrieved December 28, 2010.
- ^ Reay, Cathy (October 23, 2006). "Gym Class Heroes Interview". Crossfire. Retrieved December 28, 2010.
- Allmusic.com Gym Class Heroes Biography Allmusic.com, July 15, 2007
- "Travis McCoy Bio". Seventeen. Archived from the original on January 9, 2011. Retrieved January 23, 2011.
- "Musician Bios". cutinc.org. UnityFest. 2003. Archived from the original on September 29, 2005.
- Pascarella, Tony (April 19, 2005). "Interview: Travis McCoy from Gym Class Heroes". The Trades. Archived from the original on May 27, 2011. Retrieved December 27, 2010.
- Travis McCoy Says Gym Class Heroes Are Getting Back To Basics. MTV News.
- ^ Graff, Gary (April 23, 2010). "Travis McCoy Is Rising With 'Lazarus' Solo Debut". Billboard. Retrieved January 23, 2011.
- ^ O'Donnell, Kevin (May 7, 2010). "Travie McCoy Beats His Demons, Crafts Bumping Summer Solo Debut". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 23, 2011.
- ^ Graff, Gary (May 2, 2010). "Travie McCoy: New Name, New Direction". The Oakland Press. Archived from the original on March 28, 2012. Retrieved January 22, 2011.
- Jacobs, Allen (June 18, 2010). "Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 6/13/2010". Hiphopdx.com. Archived from the original on September 27, 2012. Retrieved November 11, 2010.
- "Travie McCoy". Official Charts Company. August 21, 2010. Retrieved September 24, 2010.
- ^ "Travie McCoy | Official Website: Updates, Interactive and more". TravieMcCoy.com. Travie McCoy. Retrieved September 24, 2010.
- "Travie McCoy". TVGuide.com. September 9, 2010.
- "Broadcast Yourself". Retrieved November 11, 2010 – via YouTube.
- maria (August 2, 2010). "Jessica Jarrell – Up And Running + (Remix) feat. Travie McCoy Lyrics MP3 Song Download". thehypefactor.com. Retrieved November 11, 2010.
- "Cheryl Cole Announces Full Album Details". PopDash. October 7, 2010. Retrieved November 11, 2010.
- "Travie McCoy - Keep On Keeping On (feat. Brendon Urie)". freeonsmash.com. OnSMASH. March 24, 2014.
- "Travie McCoy discography", Misplaced Pages, April 18, 2023, retrieved April 18, 2023
- "Friday March 7th, 2008". Travis McCoy blog. March 7, 2008. Archived from the original on March 11, 2009. Retrieved June 23, 2008.
- Kaufman, Gil (March 10, 2008). "Gym Class Heroes' Travis McCoy Blogs About His Drug Addiction, Rehab". MTV News. Archived from the original on April 3, 2011. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
- "Katy Perry And Travis Split". MTV. January 5, 2009.
- ^ "Travie Travis Mccoy Still Hurt About Katy Perry Split Email". Contactmusic.com. October 16, 2012. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
- Dennis, Alicia (April 27, 2009). "Katy Perry and Travis McCoy: Back Together". Zimbio. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
- Gym Class Heroes. "Cupid's Chokehold". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021.
- Wenn.Com (October 3, 2010). "Ex bites back at Katy Perry diss". Toronto Sun. Retrieved November 11, 2010.
- Doyle, Patrick (October 29, 2010). "Travie McCoy Arrested for Spraying Berlin Wall With Graffiti". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
- "The Berlin wall. I'm def gettin up on this before we leave tonight!!!". Twitter. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
External links
| Travie McCoy | |
|---|---|
| Studio albums | |
| Singles |
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| Featured singles |
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| Tours |
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| Related articles | |
| Gym Class Heroes | |
|---|---|
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| Studio albums | |
| Extended plays | |
| Singles | |
| Other songs | |
| Related articles | |
- 1981 births
- Living people
- American people of Irish descent
- American rappers of Haitian descent
- 21st-century American singers
- American hip-hop singers
- American male rappers
- American alternative rock singers
- American alternative rock musicians
- Dirty rap musicians
- Crush Management artists
- Gym Class Heroes members
- Alternative hip-hop musicians
- People from Geneva, New York
- American indie rock musicians
- Rappers from New York (state)
- Songwriters from New York (state)
- 21st-century American rappers
- 21st-century American male singers
- Underground rappers
- Fueled by Ramen artists
- Hopeless Records artists
- American male songwriters
- Pop rappers