In an interview with PEOPLE, the Gym Class Heroes frontman reflected on the creation of their 2010 hit “Billionaire.” Before meeting Mars, McCoy was collaborating with T-Pain when his A&R rep introduced him to The Smeezingtons — Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence, and Ari Levine — who were fans of Gym Class Heroes.
McCoy recalled hearing an early demo of “Billionaire” that included the line, “I want to be on the cover of Forbes Magazine standing next to Diddy and the Queen.” But he wasn’t a fan of mentioning Diddy. “I told Bruno, ‘I don’t want to say Diddy’s name every night,’” he said. Mars quickly swapped it to Oprah. “I’m glad he changed it,” McCoy joked. “I don’t want to stand next to Diddy in anything.”
The rapper also revealed he hasn’t spoken to Mars in years. “He doesn’t return my calls,” he admitted, though Mars’ team has yet to respond.
McCoy is also celebrating the 20th anniversary of The Papercut Chronicles, Gym Class Heroes’ breakout 2005 album. “We’re doing anniversary shows,” he said. “I’ve never played that album in full, so people might expect ‘Stereo Hearts’ or ‘Billionaire,’ but sorry — you’re getting the PCC.”
He added that the shows will be more than concerts: “I want fans to feel what it’s like to be a big fish in a small pond.”
