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Rapper Travie McCoy, Katy Perry's ex-boyfriend, says his new album isn't about their relationship, insisting he would "never throw darts" at Perry and her fiance Russell Brand.

Tabloid press reports have focussed on the lyrics to new song Don't Pretend, where McCoy takes aim at a "little brat".

Speaking to Newsbeat the New York rapper said: "I could see why and how they think what it is about, but I've been in situations over the past two years.

"I would never throw darts at Katy or Russell - I wish them the best."

'Not bitter'

McCoy dated the I Kissed A Girl singer on-and-off for two years before they eventually split at the start of 2009.

"I think people really need to grasp onto the fact that that was two years ago. For them to think that I'm still bitter after two years is kind of foolish and naive.

"[Don't Pretend] is one of the more introspective, personal songs on the record but at the same time it's not about Katy - just so you know."

Travie - real name Travis - is currently taking a break from his US-chart topping band Gym Class Heroes to promote his debut solo album Lazarus.

His current single Billionaire featuring Bruno Mars has already been number one in the US and looks likely to contest top spot in the UK chart (1 August).

He's still getting used to life without his band.

"I just felt so alone," he says.

"It's a transition I feel like I've kind of made. I've definitely gotten more comfortable as each show as the tour progressing definitely a lot more comfortable.

"It's not like being on stage with my boys."

Professor fan

Lazarus features a number of guests and collaborators including the aforementioned Mars, Colin Munroe, Gnarls Barkley's Cee-Lo and rapper T-Pain.

"I didn't want my first solo effort to be too feature-heavy," he says. "Nowadays when you pick up a record in the stores it's like featuring, featuring, featuring.

"It's like, 'Whose record is this?' It's more like a compilation.

"I didn't want my record to be like that. Everyone who is on it is there for a reason."

But McCoy is also hoping to book time in the studio with childhood hero Andre 3000 from Outkast and the UK's very own Professor Green.

"We were talking about it the other day. We go way back," says McCoy of Green. "About three years.

"I got here and got to my hotel and turn my TV on and it's him and Lily Allen - so I was cheering for him by myself in my room then I hit him up.

"I'd love to just do a record together - just collab (sic) an entire record. I've been a big fan since The Green EP which he gave me on the tour. That dude is just awesome."

McCoy's single Billionaire is out now.