The group formed in 1997 when Travie McCoy met drummer Matt McGinley during their high school gym class.

The band's music displays a wide variety of influences, including hip hop, rock, funk, and reggae.

The group gained a strong fanbase while promoting the album, appearing at festivals such as The Bamboozle and Vans Warped Tour.

On September 9, 2008, Gym Class Heroes released their third album, The Quilt, which contained numerous collaborations with other artists.

Rapper Travie McCoy and drummer Matt McGinley became friends at their local high school in ninth grade in Geneva, New York.

McCoy won MTV's Direct Effect MC Battle and as a prize, appeared in Styles P's video "Daddy Get That Cash".

The members were not even finished working on the album, as it caught the attention of Fall Out Boy's bassist Pete Wentz, who signed the group to his offspring Fueled By Ramen label, Decaydance Records.

In May 2006, WXSS, a radio station in Milwaukee, began playing "Cupid's Chokehold" shortly before the release of the band's second full-length album, As Cruel as School Children.

The group's manager, Scott Nagelberg stated "As more stations added it, it became undeniable: This was the chance for this band to make it happen.

"[7] Although the band intended to promote a different song, "The Queen and I" as the album's lead single, the label shifted its focus to "Cupid's Chokehold".

"[2]Gym Class Heroes co-headlined the 2008 Warped Tour along with Fueled by Ramen label mates Paramore.

[8] While the band was performing onstage at the festival on July 2, 2008, Travie McCoy was arrested after hitting a man on the head with his microphone.

All I got to say is it's definitely going back to the essence of Gym Class Heroes, which is four dudes sitting in a room, vibing off each other and making organic, dark metal.

"[11] On June 9, 2011, Gym Class Heroes released a song entitled "Stereo Hearts" which features Adam Levine from Maroon 5.

On October 31, the band released their second single of the album, "Ass Back Home", featuring Neon Hitch via iTunes.

On November 20, 2011, Gym Class Heroes performed "Stereo Hearts" with Adam Levine on the American Music Awards of 2011.

[14][better source needed] In 2019, McCoy stated in an interview that Gym Class Heroes was still on a hiatus, with an uncertain duration.

[20] Guitarist Disashi Lumumba-Kasango is mainly influenced by rock music, citing Jimi Hendrix and Muse as an inspiration for his guitar playing.

[1][21] Bassist Eric Roberts incorporates elements of reggae into his playing, as well as styles influenced by metal bands such as The Dillinger Escape Plan and Meshuggah.

[21] McGinley favors funk and rock stylistics inspired by groups such as Green Day, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and 311.