Gym Class Heroes

The roots of genre-bending funk-rap band Gym Class Heroes stem from an actual ninth grade phys-ed class in Geneva, New York, where lead singer/MC Travis McCoy met drummer Matt McGinley in 1997. Just shy of a decade later, and two members stronger, the outfit began delivering cheeky observations about the pitfalls of life and love in the age of friend requests and ringtones. They quickly scored a record deal with indie stalwart Fueled By Ramen, and gained the adoration of a legion of internet fans who helped propel the Supertramp-sampling "Cupid's Chokehold" into top tens around the world.

• hip hop/rap