Chino XL (born Derek Barbosa, April 8, 1971, in The Bronx, New York but raised in East Orange, New Jersey) is a rapper well respected among hip hop enthusiasts for his battling abilities. He is notorious for his usage of self-consciously over-the-top punchlines (which usually take the form of puns or similes) and for his exaggerated egotism. He is also well known to many for a brief feud with Tupac Shakur.
The original Gym Class Heroes formed in 1997 when Travis "Schleprok" McCoy and drummer Matt McGinley became friends during physical education class while at high school in Geneva, New York, US and joined forces with guitarist Milo Bonacci and bassist Ryan Geise.
The original GCH began playing birthday parties, clubs, and festivals which eventually led to numerous larger venues throughout the northeast, including four years on Warped Tour (2003, 2004, 2006, 2008). During this time, GCH released four self-produced CDs: "Hed Candy" (1999), "Greasy Kids Stuff" (2000), "For the Kids" (2001) and "Papercut Chronicles EP" (2004).
"As cruel as School Children" was released on July 25, 2006. A second version of the album, released on November 4, 2006 additionally contains the single "Cupid's Chokehold"
After the release of "For the Kids", lead singer Travis McCoy won MTV's Direct Effect MC Battle and as a prize, he appeared in Styles P's video "Daddy Get That Cash".
The current configuration of GCH formed as guitarist Disashi Lumumba-Kasongo joined in late 2004, with bassist Eric Roberts joining in mid 2005.
After hearing the song "Taxi Driver", Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy invited the band to one of his shows. Gym Class Heroes then went on to join Pete Wentz's label, Decaydance Records, an imprint of Fueled by Ramen. Travis later said that Stump's support, coupled with the label's touring ethos and family atmosphere, led the band to signing with Decaydance/Fueled by Ramen.
Gym Class Heroes appeared on the Warped Tour in the summer of 2005 and 2006. The band completed their leg of a tour with The All-American Rejects on Nov. 29 in Las Vegas.
Their recent hit "Clothes Off" reached the No# 3 spot in the uk top 40 charts.
Lead singer Travis McCoy is currently working on a side project called Tequila Mockingbird with Nick Scimeca and is due out sometime early next year.
In mid-September 2008, Gym Class Heroes put out their album, "The Quilt". It was recorded during their late 2007 tour with Fall Out Boy and Plain White T's, "Young Wild Things". Soon after toured with Lil' Wayne on his "I Am Music" tour (late 2008).
The next album will be titled The Papercut Chronicles 2. The Stereo Hearts Songfacts reports that the first single from the album, "Stereo Hearts," features Maroon 5 frontman and The Voice coach Adam Levine on the chorus. It was released for download on iTunes on June 14, 2011 and also sent to all radio stations around the world the same day.
Travis McCoy is currently on a humanitarian trip across the globe to spread awareness about HIV/AIDS and how to prevent it. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.
Felipe Andres Coronel (born February 19, 1978), better known by the stage name Immortal Technique, is a Peruvian rapper, and an urban activist. He was born in Lima, Peru and raised in Harlem, New York. Most of his lyrics focus on controversial issues in global politics. The views expressed in his lyrics are largely a mixture of socialist commentary on issues such as class hierarchy, poverty, religion, government and institutional racism.
Aaron Dontez Yates (born November 8, 1971 in Kansas City, Missouri), better known by his stage name Tech N9ne or Tecca Nina is an American rapper, co-owner of Strange Music Records and actor. His career has spanned over 24 years, during which he has released eleven albums. According to the He's a Mental Giant Songfacts, his stage name originated from the TEC-9 semi-automatic handgun, given to him by rapper Black Walt due to his fast rhyming style.
Cordozar Calvin Broadus Jr. (born October 20, 1971 in Long Beach, California, United States), better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is a Grammy award nominated rapper, producer and actor. Snoop is best known as a famous MC in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of producer Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. He made his rap debut in 1992 on Dre's debut album The Chronic, and then released his debut album, Doggystyle, to much critical and public acclaim. His mother nicknamed him "Snoopy" as a child, and he took the stage name Snoop Doggy Dogg when he began recording.
Deez Nuts from Melbourne, Australia is a hardcore project with elements of rap from ex-I Killed the Prom Queen drummer, J.J. Peters. Deez Nuts started after Australian metalcore band I Killed the Prom Queen decided to split up. In 2007, J.J. Peters did his first tour tour of Australia. Then in January 2008 he toured with Canadian band Silverstein, also on that tour were Set Your Goals, The Amity Affliction and capside. Their debut EP "Rep Your Hood" was released on the 20th of August. September 2008 marked Deez Nuts second tour of Australia.
Hed PE, also known as (hed) planet earth and stylized as (həd) p.e., is an American rock band from Huntington Beach, California. Formed in 1994, the band performs a style of music which they refer to as "G-punk". Their music is primarily based in a fusion of punk rock and hip hop, but they have also been known to incorporate elements of heavy metal, reggae and other genres. After releasing three albums on Jive Records, Hed PE left the label to record independently, eventually signing with Suburban Noize Records in 2006.
In Melbourne sat a King with a large jaw at the helm of independent record label. In Canberra, a whimsical jester oversaw a paint emporium. It was the year two thousand and nine, and these two disparate souls saw fit to unleash a recorded missive that would not be thwarted by the tyranny of distance. Forging Broken Tooth Entertainment’s strengths in Melbourne, Ciecmate is the beat-breaking crate digger out to make figures.
Aesop Rock (born Ian Bavitz on June 5, 1976) is an alternative hip hop artist/producer from Northport, New York, United States. He has released five albums: "Music for Earthworms" (1997), "Float" (1999), "Labor Days" (2001), "Bazooka Tooth" (2003) and "None Shall Pass" (2007). He is also a member of the groups Hail Mary Mallon, The Weathermen and Two of Every Animal.
The Livewire Gang consists of many artists from various neighborhoods in North, East, and West Oakland; J Stalin, Shady Nate, Jay Jonah, Philthy Rich, Stevie Joe, Lil Rue, Lil Blood, Ruben Stunner, R.O.B., Ronald Mack, Kiwi, HD, and Mayback. Livewire Records was founded in mid 2004 during the splurge of the Hyphy Movement By West oakland native artist and rapper J Stalin. He created the label for him and his camp J Jonah and Shady Nate to debut there music, and a way to keep all there business within the family.