Web Exclusive: A conversation with Gym Class Heroes' Travis McCoy
Already the scene’s unofficial ambassador to hip-hop, GYM CLASS HEROES frontman TRAVIS McCOY is now in a position that comes with way more reward than cred. McCoy was recently named ambassador of MTV’s Staying Alive Foundation-an organization dedicated to empowering communities especially at risk of succumbing to HIV/AIDS. McCoy just returned from a trip that took him to South Africa, the Philippines and India, where he was able to see the impact the disease has on young people. LUCY ALBERS discussed the trip with McCoy to learn how it will affect his work in the future, and how it affected him.
What makes you a good role model for this kind of organization?
I hate when artists are kind of naïve and think, “Oh, I’m not a role model. I’m a young person just trying to live my life.” Well, of course you are. But at the same time, you can’t deny that, in this position, you’re very [influential] to the kids who are coming out to see you and buying your CD. I was stubborn for a long time. I’m human. But in time, I ended up seeing right in front of my face the effect I have on kids, whether it’s influencing the way they dress or the music they listen to. And if I can have that affect on kids, I hope I can have the affect or urge them to educate themselves and practice safe sex. If I can get them to spend how much money on a pair of sneakers, hopefully I can get them to spend three dollars on a box of condoms.
How did you prepare yourself for this trip, and what did you hope to accomplish with it?
Well, I was a little nervous. I’ve never been to Africa or the Philippines or India, so there’s that initial fear of the unknown. But I think I was more anxious than anything. I’m a procrastinator, so I waited until the last minute to pick up my underwear and whatnot. When my flight landed, one of the things that kind of stuck out to me was an overwhelming sense of “I’m here.” It was a very comforting and welcoming feeling. And when I met Bulelani [Mvotho, a documentary filmmaker and one of three Staying Alive grantees McCoy met on his trip], the first thing he said to me was, “Welcome home.” It really struck a chord with me and I almost cried. I just felt so welcomed, and for him to say that to me was just awesome.
In your blog, it seemed like you were really excited to meet Mvotho. What was it about him that really struck you?
Well, from the beginning, we just kind of connected. One of the things that we did [was go to the premier of his short film], where he interviews kids and gets their perspective. The thing that really got me is that he’s such a community leader. Everyone looks up to him, and his films are really well put together. I’m sure this dude could be a huge director in Hollywood and make a ton of money doing films and whatnot, but he’s there doing his little films. It’s a really rough place to be in as far as conditions, but he said that he has a role in the community and he’d rather live there and do what he does as opposed to making lots of money and doing things he doesn’t feel connected to. And that’s something really admirable.
Was there one particular moment or experience that really stuck out to you on the trip?
Being on the Kaybuboy Bridge [in Manila, Phillipines]. It was a place that wasn’t on the itinerary and we didn’t have an objective to go to it. But I had heard about this bridge that 40 or 50 families were living under, and it was no more than four-and-a-half feet tall and it was something I had to see. When we got done shooting what we needed to in the Philippines, we went there and I actually got to see the conditions people were living in. It took about ten minutes to walk from one side to the other, but in those ten minutes, I saw all the diversity and conditions, and yet the kids were smiling and happy to be alive.
I feel like I came out of there a changed man. And I can kind of relate that to the whole trip; the fact that these kids are in such dire situations as far as poverty goes, yet they still have these huge smiles on their faces, it kind of made me think. If I had the power to steal laptops and internet and video games away from kids in the U.S., how would they react? Could they appreciate life without the perks that we’re so lucky to have? I saw kids playing a game of soccer with a ball that they had made with rolled up bread bags and rubber bands. It’s just the small things that mean so much to them. It’s funny because I posted that question on my blog and someone sent me this video of this kid whose mom canceled his World Of Warcraft subscription, and the kid flipped out and looked like he was having some type of seizure. It’s just sad.
Was it hard to keep a positive attitude while spreading your message?
Not really. I think a common misconception is that I went on this trip to spread a message. That was part of it–to support Staying Alive and to raise awareness and whatnot–but for the most part, it was a learning experience. I was kind of like a sponge. Although I was an ambassador of Staying Alive, it wasn’t a mission to preach. It was more to take in the culture and see what’s going on in the communities and what these grantees are doing with their money to affect their communities. I’m writing a song to be released on World AIDS Day and all the proceeds from the song go right back to Staying Alive. So with that in mind, I have this huge responsibility to write this song and bring in everything I saw and everything I felt in an auditory and musical sense. I didn’t want to think about the song too much while I was there, because I wanted to focus more on the experience and everything I was feeling, and then worry about the song after I got home and had it sink in a little. It was a bit of a sensory overload.
Did you accomplish everything you wanted?
I think I got a lot. I think it’s definitely something that I’d want to do with a little more time, if I had another chance. We had like 10 flights in 12 days, and it just seemed a little rushed. So if I had another chance, I’d want to take a little more time.
Besides this song, do you think the music you make with Gym Class Heroes and your outside projects will be affected by this trip?
Of course. When it comes to my music, I think a lot of the topics that come up are things that I deal with in life, whether it’s girls or being an underdog or something. But with everything I’ve seen that I hadn’t seen before, I definitely think it will have an influence on my music.
Beyond the documentary and the song, do you have any other work coming up with Staying Alive?
Well, December 1 is World AIDS Day, when we’ll premiere the song and perform it for a bunch of people who are doing their fair share as far as raising awareness. We’ve also talked about another trip back to South Africa, but this time, I’ll build a shanty without any help: Just me building a kind of hut in the community and living there for a month; just to get a sense of living in those conditions and not have internet or a phone or running water or a working sewer system; just putting myself in their shoes. That’s an idea we came up with while we were there that I would do in a heartbeat. I have this new motto that I’m going to try to spread. It’s four simple words: Listen hard, speak soft. I came up with it myself and I think it means a lot. alt
