It’s funny how sometimes the most unexpected journeys begin with a shared passion and a bit of a gamble. For Pentatonix, that gamble involved missing a high school graduation and dropping out of college, all in pursuit of a dream that was, at the time, still taking shape.
It all started back in 2010, with Scott Hoying, Kirstie Maldonado, and Mitch Grassi, fresh out of high school in Arlington, Texas. They were already making music together, but the real spark for what would become Pentatonix ignited when Scott, pursuing a music degree at the University of Southern California, heard about a local radio station's competition. The prize? A spot on the TV show 'Glee.' They put together a three-part harmony of Lady Gaga's 'Telephone' and sent it in.
They didn't win the competition, but it got people talking. Scott was already part of an a cappella group at USC called SoCal VoCals, and it was through that connection that he learned about 'The Sing-Off.' The show required groups of at least five, so the search was on. Enter Avriel "Avi" Kaplan, a talented young bass singer who was already making waves in the a cappella scene. Then came Kevin Olusola, a Yale graduate whose impressive beatboxing and cello-playing skills, showcased in a YouTube video, caught Scott's eye. With Kevin on rhythm and beatboxing, the five were finally complete, just in time for 'The Sing-Off' auditions. Mitch even skipped his own high school graduation to make it happen.
To ensure they had the best shot at winning 'The Sing-Off,' Scott and Kirstie made the tough decision to leave USC. It was a bold move, but their dedication paid off. Through rounds of intense competition, showcasing their incredible creativity and seamless chemistry, they clinched the title of 'The Sing-Off' Season 3 champions. The prize? A recording contract with Sony Records and a cool $200,000.
With their sights set on becoming the next big mainstream a cappella group, the members relocated to Los Angeles. The name 'Pentatonix' itself was Kevin's idea, inspired by the pentatonic scale, a musical scale with five notes per octave. They felt it resonated with their five-member lineup, and adding an 'X' made it sound more unique and modern. Their sound, influenced by dubstep, electronic music, reggae, and hip-hop, was a fresh take on a cappella.
Their journey didn't stop with the win. In 2012, they launched their YouTube channel, where their innovative a cappella covers of everything from pop hits to classical pieces, like 'Somebody That I Used to Know' and 'Gangnam Style,' quickly gained massive traction. Their debut studio album followed, charting impressively on the Billboard 200. By 2015, they were taking home a Grammy for Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella for their incredible 'Daft Punk' medley. They've since released multiple successful albums, embarked on global tours, and cemented their place as pioneers in the modern a cappella landscape, proving that five voices, harmonizing perfectly, can indeed create a symphony of success.
