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| GYM CLASS HEROES |
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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, 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). 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.
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| ESTELLE |
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Born into a strictly religious Senagalese/Granadan family where she was the second of eight children, Estelle learned early about responsibility for self and family, as well as how to escape life’s daily pressures through music. Though her mother had banned secular music in the house, young Estelle was exposed to African music and gospel (as well as her West Indian stepfather’s roots reggae and dub) via an impressive homemade soundsystem. At school, ‘80s pop was the dominant sound. It wasn’t long before a teenage Estelle was sneaking out of the house to hear hip hop. “You don’t have to compromise yourself as an artist,” says Estelle. “You just have to make the standard believable and relatable.” While her previous successes were notable, they followed an unconventional path.
She won a 2004 MOBO for “Best Newcomer” after she had already received “Best Female Artist” at the UK Hip Hop Awards three years in a row. Still, she was frustrated by what she describes as a glass ceiling in the UK urban music industry. “A lot of UK labels don’t expect you to get beyond a certain point.” “There’s more to life than just taking what someone gives you,” she adds, a philosophy that has served her well. She moved to New York on her own initiative. Her trademark drive was also in full effect when she happened upon Kanye West outside Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles during a fated trip to Los Angeles. She summoned up the courage to approach the star, and request an introduction with Legend. When the two hit it off, she also pushed her label to let her to open for Legend during his European Get Lifted tour, a pairing that would continue for two years, and eventually blossom into the Homeschool deal. My mom is African, but I still have my West Indian roots. She would make African food and listen to African music, but we still had rice and peas and reggae. So I’m able to adapt. I’ve spent the last five years of my life traveling, so my viewpoint is wider than the average rapper or singer. Before any deals were signed I got to go to Germany, Japan, Hong Kong, Brazil… that shaped me for what was to come.
She may be a born-and-raised West London girl, but we’d venture that 28-year-old Estelle Swaray is right at home in the energy of New York, her newly adopted city. She’s got the self-determination with a bit of swagger. The get-up-and-go hustle. And this is one singer/songwriter/producer/rapper who is not afraid to take risks.
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