In 2001 The Neptunes, aka Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, recorded their debut album as N*E*R*D, 'In Search Of...', for European release. Using similar digital production techniques to those employed on Neptunes-produced records, the duo were unhappy with the result as they felt it sounded too closer to their earlier work. So much so that they decided to re-record the album with power-pop band Spymob for worldwide release the following year.

Gym Class Heroes, who really did form in gym class back in 1997, would never need to make such a decision. Where most hip-hop outfits rely on samples, GCH use live instrumentation. Whether it's down to frontman Travis McCoy who alternates between slick rapping and suave crooning, rock-inspired guitarist Disashi Lumumba-Kasongo, funky bassist Eric Roberts, or deranged-beats-producing drummer Matt McGinley, they're able to switch effortlessly between genres, often within the same song.

Their third album featured a chubby kid smiling away despite the derision of his schoolmates. Deep down, the inference is clear, this kid is no nerd. The same is true of the Gym Class Heroes: fit and they know it.