40 Facts About Pentatonix

Formation and Early Days

Pentatonix, often abbreviated as PTX, is an American a cappella group known for their unique blend of pop-style arrangements, vocal harmonies, scat singing, riffing, vocal percussion, and beatboxing. Let's dive into their fascinating journey from high school friends to global music sensations.

1. Formation and Early Days: Pentatonix was formed in 2011 by Scott Hoying, Mitch Grassi, and Kirstin Maldonado, who were schoolmates at Martin High School in Arlington, Texas.

2. Initial Success: The trio initially gained attention after arranging and submitting a trio version of "Telephone," a hit song by Lady Gaga featuring Beyoncé, for a local radio show competition to meet the cast of Glee. Although they lost the competition, their singing sparked attention at their school, leading them to begin performing.

3. High School Graduation: Hoying and Maldonado graduated from Martin High School in 2010, while Grassi graduated in 2011. Hoying went on to pursue a degree in popular music performance at the University of Southern California (USC), and Maldonado pursued a degree in musical theatre at the University of Oklahoma.

4. Audition for The Sing-Off: Mitch Grassi skipped his high school graduation to audition for NBC's The Sing-Off, which they eventually won in 2011. This victory earned them $200,000 and a recording contract with Sony Music.

Rise to Fame

Winning The Sing-Off was just the beginning. Pentatonix quickly rose to fame, captivating audiences with their innovative a cappella performances.

5. Group Members: The current lineup includes Scott Hoying (baritone lead/harmony), Kirstin Maldonado (mezzo-soprano lead/harmony), Mitch Grassi (counter-tenor lead/harmony), Kevin Olusola (tenor/ percussion), and Matt Sallee (bass). Avi Kaplan was a former member who left the group in 2017 and was replaced by Matt Sallee.

6. Winning The Sing-Off: Pentatonix won the third season of The Sing-Off in 2011, which marked a significant turning point in their career. This victory not only provided them with financial support but also propelled them into the spotlight.

7. Recording Contract: After winning The Sing-Off, Pentatonix signed with Sony Music. However, Sony's Epic Records dropped the group shortly after. The group then launched its YouTube channel and began distributing its music through Madison Gate Records, a label owned by Sony Pictures.

8. YouTube Channel: Pentatonix started releasing covers of popular songs on YouTube in 2012. These covers, including songs like "Somebody That I Used to Know" by Gotye featuring Kimbra, "Gangnam Style" by PSY, and "We Are Young" by Fun, quickly went viral and helped the group gain a large following.

Musical Releases and Achievements

Pentatonix's discography is extensive and diverse, reflecting their creative output over the years. Their albums have consistently performed well on various Billboard charts.

9. Debut EP: Their debut EP, PTX, Volume 1, was released in 2012. This EP included a mix of covers and original songs, showcasing the group's unique a cappella style.

10. Holiday Release: The same year, Pentatonix released their holiday EP, PTXmas. This release further solidified their popularity and set the stage for future holiday-themed albums.

11. Chart Success: In 2013, their third release, PTX, Vol. II, debuted at number 1 on Billboard's Independent Albums chart and number 10 on the Billboard 200. This marked a significant milestone in their career, indicating mainstream recognition.

12. Signing with RCA Records: In May 2014, Pentatonix signed with RCA Records. This move provided them with more resources and exposure, helping them reach a broader audience.

13. Fourth EP Release: The same year, they released their fourth EP, PTX, Vol. III, which debuted at number 5 on the Billboard 200. This EP included tracks like "Problem" and "La La Latch," showcasing their versatility in covering modern pop songs.

14. Full-Length Studio Albums: In 2014, Pentatonix released two full-length studio albums: PTX, Vols. 1 & 2 and That's Christmas to Me. The latter was their second holiday release and became a commercial success, reaching number 2 on the US Holiday Albums chart.

15. Compilation Albums: The group has also released several compilation albums, including PTX Japan 5th Anniversary Greatest Hits and The Best of Pentatonix Christmas. These albums feature a collection of their most popular tracks and have been well-received by fans.

Collaborations and Original Material

Pentatonix is not just about covers; they also produce original material and collaborate with other artists to create unique musical experiences.

16. Collaborations: Pentatonix has collaborated with other artists, including Lindsey Stirling. They even hired a French teacher to help them learn French so they could sing "Papaoutai" with Lindsey Stirling, who has a cello solo in the song.

17. Original Material: While known for their cover songs, Pentatonix also produces original material. Their unique arrangements and harmonies set them apart in the a cappella genre.

18. Vocal Percussion: One of the distinctive features of Pentatonix is their use of vocal percussion and beatboxing. Kevin Olusola, in particular, is known for his impressive vocal percussion skills.

Behind the Scenes

Even with their success, the members of Pentatonix have their own challenges and interesting behind-the-scenes stories.

19. Stage Fright: Despite their success, the members of Pentatonix still experience stage fright. However, they describe it as a good kind of feeling that keeps them energized and focused during performances.

20. First Video Recording: Their first video, "Moves Like Jagger," was recorded on Mitch Grassi's iPad. This early recording marked the beginning of their YouTube presence and helped them gain initial traction.

21. French Lessons: To prepare for their song "Papaoutai," the group hired a French teacher to help them learn French. This effort paid off as they successfully performed the song with Lindsey Stirling.

Awards and Recognition

Pentatonix has received numerous awards and nominations for their music. Their success has been recognized both within the music industry and by their fans, who affectionately call themselves "Pentaholics."

22. Awards and Recognition: Pentatonix has received numerous awards and nominations for their music. Their success has been recognized both within the music industry and by their fans, who affectionately call themselves "Pentaholics."

23. YouTube Success: The group's YouTube channel has been instrumental in their success. They have released numerous covers and original songs, many of which have gone viral and helped them build a massive following.

24. Chart Performance: Their albums have consistently performed well on various Billboard charts. For example, That's Christmas to Me reached number 2 on the US Holiday Albums chart, while PTX, Vols. 1 & 2 debuted at number 10 on the Billboard 200.

25. Holiday Albums: Pentatonix has released several holiday albums, including That's Christmas to Me and A Pentatonix Christmas. These albums have been well-received by fans and have contributed significantly to their commercial success.

26. Compilation Album Success: Their compilation albums, such as The Best of Pentatonix Christmas, have also been successful. These albums feature a collection of their most popular tracks and have been popular among fans.

International Recognition and Live Performances

Pentatonix's influence extends beyond the United States. They have gained international recognition and have performed live around the world.

27. International Recognition: Pentatonix has gained international recognition for their music. Their albums have charted in various countries, including the US, Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland, and the UK.

28. Live Performances: The group is known for their energetic live performances. They have toured extensively and have performed at numerous festivals and concerts around the world.

Fan Engagement and Philanthropy

Pentatonix is highly engaged with their fans and is involved in various philanthropic activities. Their fans, known as "Pentaholics," are a dedicated and passionate group.

29. Fan Engagement: Pentatonix is highly engaged with their fans, often interacting with them on social media and at live events. Their fans, known as "Pentaholics," are a dedicated and passionate group.

30. Philanthropy: The group is involved in various philanthropic activities. They have supported organizations such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the Make-A-Wish Foundation, using their platform to make a positive impact.

Educational Background and A Cappella Style

The members of Pentatonix have diverse educational backgrounds, and their unique a cappella style sets them apart in the music industry.

31. Educational Background: The members of Pentatonix have diverse educational backgrounds. Scott Hoying pursued a degree in popular music performance at USC, while Kirstin Maldonado studied musical theatre at the University of Oklahoma.

32. A Cappella Style: Pentatonix is known for their unique a cappella style, which combines pop arrangements with vocal harmonies, scat singing, riffing, and vocal percussion. This style sets them apart in the music industry.

Vocal Range and Collaborations

Each member of the group has a distinct vocal range that contributes to their overall sound. They have also collaborated with other artists to create unique musical experiences.

33. Vocal Range: Each member of the group has a distinct vocal range that contributes to their overall sound. From the low bass vocals of Matt Sallee to the high tenor notes of Kevin Olusola, their vocal range is diverse and impressive.

34. Collaborations with Other Artists: In addition to their work with Lindsey Stirling, Pentatonix has collaborated with other artists. These collaborations have helped them reach new audiences and create unique musical experiences.

Music Videos and Discography

Pentatonix has released numerous music videos and has an extensive discography that reflects their creative output over the years.

35. Music Videos: The group has released numerous music videos for their songs. These videos often feature creative and engaging visuals that complement their music.

36. Discography: Pentatonix has released 11 studio albums, six compilation albums, six extended plays (EPs), 34 singles, and 58 music videos. Their discography is extensive and diverse, reflecting their creative output over the years.

Chart Debuts and Holiday Music Tradition

Several of their albums have debuted on various Billboard charts, and they have established a strong tradition of releasing holiday music.

37. Chart Debuts: Several of their albums have debuted on various Billboard charts. For example, PTX, Vol. II debuted at number 1 on Billboard's Independent Albums chart in 2013.

38. Holiday Music Tradition: Pentatonix has established a strong tradition of releasing holiday music. Their holiday albums have become annual releases that fans eagerly anticipate.

Impact on A Cappella Genre and Legacy

Pentatonix's success has had a significant impact on the a cappella genre, and they continue to leave a lasting legacy in the music industry.

39. Impact on A Cappella Genre: The group's success has had a significant impact on the a cappella genre. They have helped popularize a cappella music and inspired other groups to explore this style of music.

40. Legacy and Influence: As one of the most successful a cappella groups in recent times, Pentatonix continues to leave a lasting legacy in the music industry. Their unique sound, energetic live performances, and dedication to their craft have made them beloved by fans worldwide.

Pentatonix: A Lasting Legacy

Pentatonix has redefined a cappella music, blending pop arrangements, vocal harmonies, and beatboxing into a unique sound. Formed in 2011, this group quickly rose to fame after winning NBC's The Sing-Off. Their YouTube channel, filled with viral covers and original songs, played a huge role in their success. Albums like PTX, Vol. II and That's Christmas to Me topped charts, proving their mainstream appeal.

The group's lineup includes Scott Hoying, Mitch Grassi, Kirstin Maldonado, Kevin Olusola, and Matt Sallee, each bringing distinct vocal talents. Their collaborations with artists like Lindsey Stirling and commitment to original material set them apart. Pentatonix's energetic live performances and strong fan engagement have earned them a dedicated following known as "Pentaholics."

Their impact on the a cappella genre is undeniable, inspiring countless others. Pentatonix's journey from high school friends to international stars is truly remarkable.