3 Reasons To Listen To Pentatonix | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

3 Reasons To Listen To Pentatonix

Amazing acapella.

8090
3 Reasons To Listen To Pentatonix
PTXOfficial Instagram

With the Grammy’s in the recent past, it’s time to look back on one of the lesser-known winners who took center-stage with legend Stevie Wonder. Some of you may already know them, but for the newcomers, I’m talking about the acapella sensations Pentatonix. Although they have been growing in popularity most notably since 2014, Pentatonix is still fairly unknown to the public. So, from a long-time fan to those just discovering PTX, here are three reasons to love and listen to them:

1. Diversity

In a world where representation matters as much as talent, it is rare to find a group where diversity and talent are equally present. No matter who you are you will be able to relate to at least one member of the group. Kevin Oulsola is a Yale graduate, son of a Nigeria-born psychiatrist and Grenada-born nurse, and he is part of the first generation of his family born in America. Olusola shows the world that it is possible to be sophisticated, intelligent, laid-back, cool, and all-around black excellence. Mitch Grassi is of Italian-American descent, part of the LGBT+ community and tends toward gender-neutral representation of himself (such as sporting dress on several occasions and suits on others).

Scott Hoying is also a part of the LGBT+ community (neither he nor Grassi have officially stated their sexuality, therefore, no assumptions are made beyond LGBT+). Hoying and Grassi are also comfortable enough with themselves to explore wearing drag makeup in their show SUP3RFRUIT on YouTube. Kirstie Maldonado is Hispanic, and living proof that you can be both a living Disney Princess and Fierce Queen; she often goes from cuddly photos with her dog Olaf on Instagram to knocking us all dead on the red carpet in designer dresses. Finally, there’s Avi Kaplan, a Jewish-American who grew up in California, believes in dragons, loves "Lord of the Rings" and all things fantasy and studied classical music in college.

2. Talent

Where to begin with the talent shown in this group? Simply in vocal ranges they are astounding. Mitch Grassi, the countertenor of the group has a range of A2-B7 which is over 5 octaves wide, not to mention he is able to sing whistle notes and rap. Scott Hoying is a baritone with a range of 4 octaves, G#1-G#5. Kirstie Maldonado is a mezzo-soprano, which means she can sing either as a soprano or an alto, she sings whistle notes like Mitch and has a range of 4 octaves from E3-B♭7. Avi Kaplan is the bass or the group. His range is E♭1-C#5, and he is able to sing overtones which is the act of singing two notes at once. Kaplan also plays the guitar. Kevin Olusola is a tenor, beatboxer, rapper, cello and saxophone player. Olusola has also created what he calls “Cello-boxing” which is the act of playing the cello while simultaneously beatboxing. All of the members write their own music, freestyle often in YouTube videos and are proficient in different styles of singing.

3. Inspirational

Pentatonix won the TV show "The Sing-Off"back in 2011, when Grassi (the youngest) was a recent high school graduate. After that, they became YouTube sensations because they were dropped from the record contract that was their prize. In 2014, Pentatonix went platinum with their album "That's Christmas to Me" which also became the fourth best-selling album of the year. In 2015, they were awarded their first Grammy for their song "Daft Punk," in the category Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella, and they just won that same category again for "Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy." Along with all of this they have gone on a world tour and released a documentary and a self-titled album of mostly original songs in 2015.

Their performances include not only the collaboration with Stevie Wonder at this year’s Grammy’s, but also a solo performance at last year’s Grammy’s, a performance at the AMA’s and CMA’s. They’ve done all of this in a mere four years, and before the oldest of the group (Olusola) has turned 30. They’re a testament to what can be achieved if you only go for what you want out of life.

Their YouTube is located here, their official website is here and their music is available on Spotify. Go check them out.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

28 Daily Thoughts of College Students

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

164
group of people sitting on bench near trees duting daytime

I know every college student has daily thoughts throughout their day. Whether you're walking on campus or attending class, we always have thoughts running a mile a minute through our heads. We may be wondering why we even showed up to class because we'd rather be sleeping, or when the professor announces that we have a test and you have an immediate panic attack.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

The Great Christmas Movie Debate

"A Christmas Story" is the star on top of the tree.

1494
The Great Christmas Movie Debate
Mental Floss

One staple of the Christmas season is sitting around the television watching a Christmas movie with family and friends. But of the seemingly hundreds of movies, which one is the star on the tree? Some share stories of Santa to children ("Santa Claus Is Coming to Town"), others want to spread the Christmas joy to adults ("It's a Wonderful Life"), and a select few are made to get laughs ("Elf"). All good movies, but merely ornaments on the Christmas tree of the best movies. What tops the tree is a movie that bridges the gap between these three movies, and makes it a great watch for anyone who chooses to watch it. Enter the timeless Christmas classic, "A Christmas Story." Created in 1983, this movie holds the tradition of capturing both young and old eyes for 24 straight hours on its Christmas Day marathon. It gets the most coverage out of all holiday movies, but the sheer amount of times it's on television does not make it the greatest. Why is it,
then? A Christmas Story does not try to tell the tale of a Christmas miracle or use Christmas magic to move the story. What it does do though is tell the real story of Christmas. It is relatable and brings out the unmatched excitement of children on Christmas in everyone who watches. Every one becomes a child again when they watch "A Christmas Story."

Keep Reading...Show less
student thinking about finals in library
StableDiffusion

As this semester wraps up, students can’t help but be stressed about finals. After all, our GPAs depends on these grades! What student isn’t worrying about their finals right now? It’s “goodbye social life, hello library” time from now until the end of finals week.

1. Finals are weeks away, I’m sure I’ll be ready for them when they come.

Keep Reading...Show less
Christmas tree
Librarian Lavender

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Christmas is one of my personal favorite holidays because of the Christmas traditions my family upholds generation after generation. After talking to a few of my friends at college, I realized that a lot of them don't really have "Christmas traditions" in their family, and I want to help change that. Here's a list of Christmas traditions that my family does, and anyone can incorporate into their family as well!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Phases Of Finals

May the odds be ever in your favor.

2337
Does anybody know how to study
Gurl.com

It’s here; that time of year when college students turn into preschoolers again. We cry for our mothers, eat everything in sight, and whine when we don’t get our way. It’s finals, the dreaded time of the semester when we all realize we should have been paying attention in class instead of literally doing anything else but that. Everyone has to take them, and yes, unfortunately, they are inevitable. But just because they are here and inevitable does not mean they’re peaches and cream and full of rainbows. Surviving them is a must, and the following five phases are a reality for all majors from business to art, nursing to history.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments