A brief history of Pentatonix They won The Sing Off in 2011. They made a guest starring appearance on America′s Got Talent as non−competitors a couple of years after that. The founding members are:- Scott Hoying (tall blond guy, natural baritone but has an impressive five−to−six octave range, can go all the way up to high tenor and down to bass, sings the bass lines when the usual bass singer takes the lead);
Kirstin "Kirstie" (Rhymes with "Thirsty") Maldonado (the only female member, natural mezzo soprano, but can go down to low alto and as high as upper soprano, also can sing in whistle notes that are off the scale); For a time in 2018 between the group’s tours, had the female lead on Broadway in the production of “Kinky Boots”. Mitch Grassi (a true contra−tenor, can hit high notes in his chest voice with ease and go WAY higher in his falsetto, also with ease); Avriel "Avi" Kaplan (dark beard and long hair), true basso profundo, trained as an opera singer, also can go up into the tenor range; and Kevin "KO" Olusola (beatboxer extraordinaire, also is a world−class cellist who plays cello on some of their songs, has a beautiful high tenor voice and gets occasional lead vocal solos as well, graduated pre−med from Yale and speaks several languages including Mandarin Chinese). Kirstie, Scott & Mitch grew up together in Arlington, Texas, and began performing together as children in local youth musical theater. They ended up in high school together and performed in the choir. While there, they formed an a cappella group called The Trio which had several performance videos go viral on UA-cam, most notably a cover of Lady Gaga′s "Telephone". The three of them are best friends and consider themselves to be almost siblings. Scott & Kirstie (who were a class year ahead of Mitch) both graduated high school in 2010 and went their separate ways to different colleges, Scott at USC and Kirstie at Oklahoma. While at USC, Scott joined a USC−based a cappella group called the SoCal VoCals, where he met alumnus Ben Bram, who was now an arranger and vocal coach for the NBC TV show The Sing Off, an a cappella competition show. Ben convinced Scott to get The Trio to audition for the show. The three reunited (Mitch had to skip high school graduation ceremonies to go) in Los Angeles for the audition. They found out that the rules had changed, so they needed at least five members to audition. Ben put them together with Avi (a native of Visalia, California), who he knew from Avi′s performing days at Mount San Antonio College in California. They found Kevin (from Kentucky) through one of his UA-cam videos that had gone viral featuring him playing the cello and beatboxing at the same time, a talent that Kevin coined as "Cello−Boxing". Kevin arrived in Los Angeles literally the day before the audition! Scott came up with the name "Pentatonix" after the pentatonic scale. They performed a re−arrangement of "The Telephone" for the audition and passed, despite having been together as a five−piece group for less that 24 hours! They won The Sing Off that season (all of the performances are available on UA-cam), in which they received a substantial cash prize AND a record contract with Epic Records. They pooled their prize winnings together and all moved to Los Angeles, and all got apartments right next door to each other in the same building. But just a week later, Epic dropped them because the marketing people didn′t think an a cappella group could sell records. Instead of giving up, they were determined and began recording their own songs on UA-cam, hiring Ben Bram as their producer and arranger. These usually consisted of the five of them sitting on a couch and performing cover songs live. Several of the videos went viral, and Sony (the parent company of Epic) decided to give them another chance by placing them on one of their smaller labels, Madison Gate. They released two secular EPs and one Christmas EP on Madison Gate, all of which were strong sellers. But when their cover of a medley of songs by Daft Punk not only went super−viral, but also won them their first Grammy, they were promoted all the way up to RCA Records, Sony′s top label. They began writing and producing their own songs in addition to their covers, began putting out a Christmas album just about annually (which has become their best−selling genre), and have had multi−platinum album sales, sold−out world tours, and have won two additional Grammys. Avi began getting burned out with all of the touring and heavy recording schedule, was suffering from anxiety and personal problems, and learned that his mother had been diagnosed with cancer in 2017. He announced he was departing from the group and taking some time away from the music industry. Matt Sallee (from Baltimore) joined them in September 2017. He did only become official when they renewed their RCA contract in February 2018, but he recorded with them in September as a featured artist and went on their Christmas tour as a featured artist, as well. When he attended the audition for the group, he had already mastered the Bass part for most if not all their past catalogue. He was successful and has proved that he fits in well with the group. If you think there have been other changes to the line up - look again. This is the ONLY change. Kirstie and Mitch are like chameleons and change looks frequently. It is an often debated subject among the Pentaholics as to just how soon we introduce the "Beginners Guide" as we don't want to overdo the introduction. This is a compilation of snips of a whole load of songs which PTX have released. It highlights each member with some of their solos and then a brief history in video. It is quite long - 14+ minutes and is a little dated now (Feb 2020) but is a good watch ua-cam.com/video/lDxIfwfCmQE/v-deo.html&pp=ygUdYmVnaW5uZXJzIGd1aWRlIHRvIHBlbnRhdG9uaXg%3D. After a year away from music, Avi has now returned as a phenomenal solo artist in the Folk/Americana/Roots genre. Ben Bram has been in charge of their production, including arranging and directing from the beginning. He is often referred to as the sixth member. Scott and Kevin are major players in the arrangements, but every member contributes. A good watch is "The Recording of Evergreen" where a camera was invited into the studio for the second week of recording/ Also, all members are songwriters for both Pentatonix and their own solo work. Ed Boyer who mixes everything of theirs (even the HWB Livestream) is the one who pulled Ben Bram into the sing off in the first place. They have Grammy wins for Daft Punk Medley, Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, and Jolene featuring Dolly Parton. They were nominated for a 4th Grammy for their album Evergreen, but didn't win. Another nomination for Holidays Around the World album in the 2024 list! Kirstie became a new mum which caused a pause in touring after their Evergreen Christmas tour 2021. Mid March 2023 Kirstie has announced that she is engaged to Ben Hausdorff, their videographer. No dates YET! They have a star on the Hollywood walk of fame installed in February 2023. They are the only a capella group with a star! They came 3rd in the 2023 Masked Singer performing as "California Rolls" being unmasked in May 23. Things you need to know because if you get these wrong Pentaholics will come after you with pitch forks and torches! Ha Ha!! 1- There is NO Auto-Tune; what you hear is actually what they sing. They really are that good. One exception is the 90's Dance Medley where Cher used autotune as an effect - so they had to. 2- What produces everything that you hear in the video, you see in the official video. If there is an instrument used in the music, you see it on screen. In the 2022 Christmas album, there are some instruments not featured throughout the album. 3- They never release something on video they can’t reproduce with the exact same quality live on-stage. 4. It is "Pentatonix" - There is no "The".
Hey-one more comment! It’s ok that you didn’t know it was Queen or that it’s iconic, or that this is a cover! Kudos to you for exploring ALL types of music and being willing to listen, appreciate, share, and learn. THAT’S what I love to see! The ESSENCE of opening up and reacting to songs! I hope to see your channel grow! Best of luck and happy to have found your channel! Happy New Year 🎉🎉!
I agree - ignorance on a simple subject afflicts us all (me probably more than most). In fact, his being GRAND NEW to Pentatonix makes me want to take him by the hand and walk him through our addiction to this group! It always excites me!
Pentatonix Bohemian Rhapsody Insights: So, some things to know about this cover and video: -It took PTX years to get the arrangement to where they felt they could do the original masterpiece justice. -The cover, and especially the video, was meant to be an homage to Queen. Some of the moments paying respect were: The mono-recording of the line "easy come, easy go" followed by the panning of the voices from left to right on the line "little high, little low" (which is how the original was recorded), obviously the flashlights being used to mimic the lighting on the operatic part of the original video, the four shooting stars to represent the four members of Queen, as well as acknowledge the fact that Dr. Brian May is an astrophysicist, and the overhead shot of them lying on the couch is to represent the Sheer Heart Attack album cover. -The megaphone was just a prop. It is not needed to reproduce the electric guitar distortion. -PTX can, and does, perform this live with no backing track...something even Queen and the Great Freddie Mercury could not do. -Freddy once said he didn't care what people did with his music as long as they "...don't make it boring, darling!", so I think he would absolutely approve. Also when Brian Mays heard it... he posted it on his web site with the word "ENJOY”. -The overall video--with the "living room" and couch--is an homage to Pentatonix's own journey as a group. They lost their record deal right after winning the Sing Off and moving to LA, so they started putting out videos on UA-cam, performing covers. They would sit on the couch in Kevin (beatboxer) and Avi's (bass) living room and just record themselves on Mitch's (counter tenor who took the lead on this song) iPad. Some of their earliest videos went viral and they eventually were able to secure a new deal, record an EP, go on tour, release chart-topping albums and win three Grammy awards...so they moved out of the living room and down this new, unknown road. At the end of the day, though, they're still the same choir-nerds they've always been; just happy to sit together on a couch and sing.
You are, now, obligated to react to the original song & video from....QUEEN! You'll appreciate the Pentatonix video even more as there are subtle references to Queen and the original video. It has $1.7 billion views on The Queen Official you tube channel.
Mitch Grassi is the head singer in this song. Avi Kaplin is Base, Scott Hoying is the tall blonde, Kevin is the beatboxer, Kirsten Maldenado is the female singer. Later Avi left on good terms and Matt took his place as base. Scott is usually lead but they all get big and small solo spots.
Pentatonix's "Sing" is fun and upbeat" has a little rap in it, "Can't Hold Us" by Pentatonix is rap. Fun and jaw dropping to watch. I hope you will consider them to react to. Well done on this reaction sir.
Hey bro - you did two (Hallelujah and this Bohemian Rhapsody) and you get us PENTA-HOLICS attach to you and then nothing! Please please do The Prayer - WILL BLOW YOUR MIND. Also Daft Punk, Amazing Grace, Imagine, and more! We Pentaholics are HUNGRY!!! Feed us!
Probably the best cover of this classic that I've ever heard... and I've heard a lot! Now you need to go see the 1975 original, Queen's Official video from their Official Channel. It'll blow your mind even more than this version!
Here's a phonetic pronunciation of the song: Bo-HE-me-an Rap-SO-dee. As others have said it's an iconic song by Queen, written, composed and performed by Freddie Mercury, with help from the other band members. You may also want to check out other songs by Queen. But by all means, continue reacting to Pentatonix.
I'm a little surprised you don't know this iconic song by Queen. I suggest you check out the original to truly appreciate how PTX pays homage to the original in this cover. For fun, you might also want to check out this video on your own where the audience at a Green Day concert broke into song while waiting for the concert to begin. Bohemian Rhapsody came on the speakers, and the whole thing was caught on the band's camera. Enjoy: ua-cam.com/video/cZnBNuqqz5g/v-deo.htmlsi=B6O68Ih91qAdEF-8
Yep, this is a cover of Freddie Mercury of Queen doing Bohemia Rhapsody. Both are good but Pentatonix is better, LOL. Thanks for the vids - we all enjoy them a lot especially first reactions!
![AMAZING!!!! Pentatonix - Bohemian Rhapsody [FIRST TIME REACTION]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/2MyesMNmctU/mqdefault.jpg)
![AMAZING!!!! Pentatonix - Bohemian Rhapsody [FIRST TIME REACTION]](/img/tr.png)
This song was originally done by Queen in 1975. It is one of the most recognized songs in the world.
I'm glad you enjoyed the time and energy they put into this - keep listening, they can sing anything!
The mad genius of Freddy Mercury of Queen, they honor his memory with this rendition.
Yes indeed - and Pentatonix maintains the reverence toward Queen but enhancing it in their unique way.
"It's the calmest song."
Hold on to your seat! 😂
A brief history of Pentatonix
They won The Sing Off in 2011. They made a guest starring appearance on America′s Got Talent as non−competitors a couple of years after that.
The founding members are:-
Scott Hoying (tall blond guy, natural baritone but has an impressive five−to−six octave range, can go all the way up to high tenor and down to bass, sings the bass lines when the usual bass singer takes the lead);
Kirstin "Kirstie" (Rhymes with "Thirsty") Maldonado (the only female member, natural mezzo soprano, but can go down to low alto and as high as upper soprano, also can sing in whistle notes that are off the scale); For a time in 2018 between the group’s tours, had the female lead on Broadway in the production of “Kinky Boots”.
Mitch Grassi (a true contra−tenor, can hit high notes in his chest voice with ease and go WAY higher in his falsetto, also with ease);
Avriel "Avi" Kaplan (dark beard and long hair), true basso profundo, trained as an opera singer, also can go up into the tenor range; and
Kevin "KO" Olusola (beatboxer extraordinaire, also is a world−class cellist who plays cello on some of their songs, has a beautiful high tenor voice and gets occasional lead vocal solos as well, graduated pre−med from Yale and speaks several languages including Mandarin Chinese).
Kirstie, Scott & Mitch grew up together in Arlington, Texas, and began performing together as children in local youth musical theater. They ended up in high school together and performed in the choir. While there, they formed an a cappella group called The Trio which had several performance videos go viral on UA-cam, most notably a cover of Lady Gaga′s "Telephone". The three of them are best friends and consider themselves to be almost siblings.
Scott & Kirstie (who were a class year ahead of Mitch) both graduated high school in 2010 and went their separate ways to different colleges, Scott at USC and Kirstie at Oklahoma.
While at USC, Scott joined a USC−based a cappella group called the SoCal VoCals, where he met alumnus Ben Bram, who was now an arranger and vocal coach for the NBC TV show The Sing Off, an a cappella competition show. Ben convinced Scott to get The Trio to audition for the show. The three reunited (Mitch had to skip high school graduation ceremonies to go) in Los Angeles for the audition.
They found out that the rules had changed, so they needed at least five members to audition. Ben put them together with Avi (a native of Visalia, California), who he knew from Avi′s performing days at Mount San Antonio College in California. They found Kevin (from Kentucky) through one of his UA-cam videos that had gone viral featuring him playing the cello and beatboxing at the same time, a talent that Kevin coined as "Cello−Boxing".
Kevin arrived in Los Angeles literally the day before the audition! Scott came up with the name "Pentatonix" after the pentatonic scale. They performed a re−arrangement of "The Telephone" for the audition and passed, despite having been together as a five−piece group for less that 24 hours!
They won The Sing Off that season (all of the performances are available on UA-cam), in which they received a substantial cash prize AND a record contract with Epic Records. They pooled their prize winnings together and all moved to Los Angeles, and all got apartments right next door to each other in the same building.
But just a week later, Epic dropped them because the marketing people didn′t think an a cappella group could sell records.
Instead of giving up, they were determined and began recording their own songs on UA-cam, hiring Ben Bram as their producer and arranger. These usually consisted of the five of them sitting on a couch and performing cover songs live.
Several of the videos went viral, and Sony (the parent company of Epic) decided to give them another chance by placing them on one of their smaller labels, Madison Gate. They released two secular EPs and one Christmas EP on Madison Gate, all of which were strong sellers.
But when their cover of a medley of songs by Daft Punk not only went super−viral, but also won them their first Grammy, they were promoted all the way up to RCA Records, Sony′s top label.
They began writing and producing their own songs in addition to their covers, began putting out a Christmas album just about annually (which has become their best−selling genre), and have had multi−platinum album sales, sold−out world tours, and have won two additional Grammys.
Avi began getting burned out with all of the touring and heavy recording schedule, was suffering from anxiety and personal problems, and learned that his mother had been diagnosed with cancer in 2017. He announced he was departing from the group and taking some time away from the music industry.
Matt Sallee (from Baltimore) joined them in September 2017. He did only become official when they renewed their RCA contract in February 2018, but he recorded with them in September as a featured artist and went on their Christmas tour as a featured artist, as well. When he attended the audition for the group, he had already mastered the Bass part for most if not all their past catalogue. He was successful and has proved that he fits in well with the group.
If you think there have been other changes to the line up - look again. This is the ONLY change. Kirstie and Mitch are like chameleons and change looks frequently.
It is an often debated subject among the Pentaholics as to just how soon we introduce the "Beginners Guide" as we don't want to overdo the introduction. This is a compilation of snips of a whole load of songs which PTX have released. It highlights each member with some of their solos and then a brief history in video. It is quite long - 14+ minutes and is a little dated now (Feb 2020) but is a good watch ua-cam.com/video/lDxIfwfCmQE/v-deo.html&pp=ygUdYmVnaW5uZXJzIGd1aWRlIHRvIHBlbnRhdG9uaXg%3D.
After a year away from music, Avi has now returned as a phenomenal solo artist in the Folk/Americana/Roots genre.
Ben Bram has been in charge of their production, including arranging and directing from the beginning. He is often referred to as the sixth member. Scott and Kevin are major players in the arrangements, but every member contributes. A good watch is "The Recording of Evergreen" where a camera was invited into the studio for the second week of recording/
Also, all members are songwriters for both Pentatonix and their own solo work.
Ed Boyer who mixes everything of theirs (even the HWB Livestream) is the one who pulled Ben Bram into the sing off in the first place.
They have Grammy wins for Daft Punk Medley, Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, and Jolene featuring Dolly Parton. They were nominated for a 4th Grammy for their album Evergreen, but didn't win. Another nomination for Holidays Around the World album in the 2024 list!
Kirstie became a new mum which caused a pause in touring after their Evergreen Christmas tour 2021. Mid March 2023 Kirstie has announced that she is engaged to Ben Hausdorff, their videographer. No dates YET!
They have a star on the Hollywood walk of fame installed in February 2023. They are the only a capella group with a star!
They came 3rd in the 2023 Masked Singer performing as "California Rolls" being unmasked in May 23.
Things you need to know because if you get these wrong Pentaholics will come after you with pitch forks and torches! Ha Ha!!
1- There is NO Auto-Tune; what you hear is actually what they sing. They really are that good. One exception is the 90's Dance Medley where Cher used autotune as an effect - so they had to.
2- What produces everything that you hear in the video, you see in the official video. If there is an instrument used in the music, you see it on screen. In the 2022 Christmas album, there are some instruments not featured throughout the album.
3- They never release something on video they can’t reproduce with the exact same quality live on-stage.
4. It is "Pentatonix" - There is no "The".
😂😂😂 I think most reactors say the same thing when they are new to Pentatonix and hear that for the first time 😂😂😂! Love your excitement here! 4:20
iconic song by Queen
Hey-one more comment! It’s ok that you didn’t know it was Queen or that it’s iconic, or that this is a cover! Kudos to you for exploring ALL types of music and being willing to listen, appreciate, share, and learn. THAT’S what I love to see! The ESSENCE of opening up and reacting to songs! I hope to see your channel grow! Best of luck and happy to have found your channel! Happy New Year 🎉🎉!
I agree - ignorance on a simple subject afflicts us all (me probably more than most). In fact, his being GRAND NEW to Pentatonix makes me want to take him by the hand and walk him through our addiction to this group! It always excites me!
Pentatonix Bohemian Rhapsody Insights:
So, some things to know about this cover and video: -It took PTX years to get the arrangement to where they felt they could do the original masterpiece justice. -The cover, and especially the video, was meant to be an homage to Queen. Some of the moments paying respect were: The mono-recording of the line "easy come, easy go" followed by the panning of the voices from left to right on the line "little high, little low" (which is how the original was recorded), obviously the flashlights being used to mimic the lighting on the operatic part of the original video, the four shooting stars to represent the four members of Queen, as well as acknowledge the fact that Dr. Brian May is an astrophysicist, and the overhead shot of them lying on the couch is to represent the Sheer Heart Attack album cover. -The megaphone was just a prop. It is not needed to reproduce the electric guitar distortion. -PTX can, and does, perform this live with no backing track...something even Queen and the Great Freddie Mercury could not do. -Freddy once said he didn't care what people did with his music as long as they "...don't make it boring, darling!", so I think he would absolutely approve. Also when Brian Mays heard it... he posted it on his web site with the word "ENJOY”. -The overall video--with the "living room" and couch--is an homage to Pentatonix's own journey as a group. They lost their record deal right after winning the Sing Off and moving to LA, so they started putting out videos on UA-cam, performing covers. They would sit on the couch in Kevin (beatboxer) and Avi's (bass) living room and just record themselves on Mitch's (counter tenor who took the lead on this song) iPad. Some of their earliest videos went viral and they eventually were able to secure a new deal, record an EP, go on tour, release chart-topping albums and win three Grammy awards...so they moved out of the living room and down this new, unknown road. At the end of the day, though, they're still the same choir-nerds they've always been; just happy to sit together on a couch and sing.
Rock Opera by the group QUEEN
❣️❣️❣️
You are, now, obligated to react to the original song & video from....QUEEN!
You'll appreciate the Pentatonix video even more as there are subtle references to Queen and the original video.
It has $1.7 billion views on The Queen Official you tube channel.
Agreed
Aha! Singapore is a must watch. Mitch went fucking off!
Mitch Grassi is the head singer in this song. Avi Kaplin is Base, Scott Hoying is the tall blonde, Kevin is the beatboxer, Kirsten Maldenado is the female singer. Later Avi left on good terms and Matt took his place as base. Scott is usually lead but they all get big and small solo spots.
Pentatonix's "Sing" is fun and upbeat" has a little rap in it, "Can't Hold Us" by Pentatonix is rap. Fun and jaw dropping to watch. I hope you will consider them to react to. Well done on this reaction sir.
Mitch Grassi led the majority of the song. He most definitely can and does make that guitar sound himself, I’ve seen him do it live.
How is he doing that with his voice. Pure talent plain and simple🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡
Hey bro - you did two (Hallelujah and this Bohemian Rhapsody) and you get us PENTA-HOLICS attach to you and then nothing! Please please do The Prayer - WILL BLOW YOUR MIND. Also Daft Punk, Amazing Grace, Imagine, and more! We Pentaholics are HUNGRY!!! Feed us!
Probably the best cover of this classic that I've ever heard... and I've heard a lot! Now you need to go see the 1975 original, Queen's Official video from their Official Channel. It'll blow your mind even more than this version!
You done put me on to so much music 🔥🔥
watch the live one and it really is him doing that
Lead singer is Mitch Grassi. Their tenor. Mitch is amazing and you will be Mitch slapped.
You might have heard this in Wayne's World (the original by Queen) or the movie Bohemian Rhapsody.
Here's a phonetic pronunciation of the song: Bo-HE-me-an Rap-SO-dee. As others have said it's an iconic song by Queen, written, composed and performed by Freddie Mercury, with help from the other band members. You may also want to check out other songs by Queen. But by all means, continue reacting to Pentatonix.
Subbed for more #PTX! Great job!
3:38 😂😂😂 lol okay sure (99% sure he said this is the calmest song)
It's a cover, it's mostly what Acapella groups do. Watch the Pitch Perfect movies if you need confirmation of that fact. :)
I'm a little surprised you don't know this iconic song by Queen. I suggest you check out the original to truly appreciate how PTX pays homage to the original in this cover. For fun, you might also want to check out this video on your own where the audience at a Green Day concert broke into song while waiting for the concert to begin. Bohemian Rhapsody came on the speakers, and the whole thing was caught on the band's camera. Enjoy: ua-cam.com/video/cZnBNuqqz5g/v-deo.htmlsi=B6O68Ih91qAdEF-8
Mitch is doing that sound with his voice. The megaphone 📣 sounds like he dies this live react to the live version of this song if you want proof
It's a cover by Queen
Yep, this is a cover of Freddie Mercury of Queen doing Bohemia Rhapsody. Both are good but Pentatonix is better, LOL. Thanks for the vids - we all enjoy them a lot especially first reactions!
Rhapsody=Rap-so-dee
It's a song by qyeen
Original was by Queen.
Be sure to react to daft punk
Queen did it better. *shrugs*
There are no instruments