When Scott Hoying, Mitch Grassi, Kirstin Maldonado, Avi Kaplan, and Kevin Olusola stepped onto the stage of The Sing-Off back in 2011, they weren't just a group of kids from Texas trying to win a reality show. They were a disruption. But it wasn't until four years later, in 2015, that they dropped the video that would basically cement their legacy in digital music history. We're talking about the evolution of Michael Jackson Pentatonix. This wasn't just a cover. It was a six-minute masterclass in vocal production that tracked the King of Pop’s career from the bubblegum soul of the Jackson 5 to the gritty, socially conscious anthems of the 90s.
Honestly, it’s hard to overstate how much this specific medley mattered. At the time, YouTube was shifting. People wanted high-production value, but they also wanted that raw, "how are they making that sound with their mouths?" authenticity. Pentatonix delivered both. By the time they reached the "Smooth Criminal" segment of the medley, the internet was pretty much sold.
Why the Evolution of Michael Jackson Pentatonix Hit Different
A lot of people think a medley is just stitching songs together. It’s not. Not at this level. To understand the evolution of Michael Jackson Pentatonix, you have to look at the arrangement work of Ben Bram and the group itself. They didn't just sing the hits; they replicated the sonic architecture of Quincy Jones’s production using only five human voices.
Take "I Want You Back." It’s light. It’s airy. Kevin Olusola’s beatboxing is subtle, mimicking the tight, crisp snare of a 1969 Motown recording. Then, move forward to "Thriller." Suddenly, the textures get darker. The bass, handled back then by the legendary Avi Kaplan, becomes more resonant, almost physical.
It’s a chronological journey. You’re literally hearing the music get more complex as the decades pass.
Most groups would have stuck to the choruses. PTX didn't. They wove in the iconic "Billie Jean" bassline while Mitch Grassi soared through "Beat It" in a way that didn't feel like a cheap imitation. It felt like an homage. That’s the nuance. Michael Jackson’s music is notoriously difficult to cover because his vocal tics—the "hee-hees," the gasps, the rhythmic grunts—are part of the percussion. If you miss those, the song falls flat. Pentatonix integrated them into the actual beat.
The Technical Wizardry Behind the Vocals
Let’s talk about the vocal stack. In the mid-2010s, a cappella was often seen as "glee club" stuff. Dorky. The evolution of Michael Jackson Pentatonix video changed that perception by leaning into the "Power Five" dynamic.
- The Lead: Scott and Mitch traded off the heavy lifting, capturing Michael's transition from a tenor youth to a more percussive, aggressive adult vocalist.
- The Texture: Kirstin Maldonado provided the necessary "glue." Her harmonies in "Man in the Mirror" are what give the track its gospel-inspired depth.
- The Foundation: Avi Kaplan’s bass. Seriously. His ability to hit sub-harmonics during "Bad" provided a floor that most digital synthesizers struggle to replicate.
- The Engine: Kevin Olusola. He didn't just beatbox; he practiced "cello-boxing," though the cello wasn't in this specific video. His vocal percussion on "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" perfectly captured that disco-era shimmer.
It’s about the "Human Elements" vs. "Digital Precision." While the video was obviously professionally mixed and mastered (by the brilliant Ed Boyer), the core of it remains five people in a room. Or, in the case of this video, five people walking through a stylized, shifting set that visually mirrored the timeline of MJ’s career.
A Legacy of Viral Precision
The "Evolution of Music" was their first massive hit in this style, but the evolution of Michael Jackson Pentatonix was more focused. It was deeper. It showed that they could take a single artist’s entire 30-year discography and find the narrative thread.
Success leaves clues.
The video racked up tens of millions of views almost instantly. Why? Because it tapped into nostalgia without being cheesy. It also arrived at a time when Michael Jackson’s estate was very selective about licensing and usage. Seeing a group treat the catalog with such reverence—while also being incredibly innovative—won over both the old-school MJ fans and the new Gen Z audience that was just discovering Off the Wall.
There’s also the "Mitch Factor." Mitch Grassi’s vocal range is, frankly, ridiculous. When he hits the high notes in "Dirty Diana" or "Earth Song," he isn't straining. He has this laser-like precision that mimics Michael’s own ability to cut through a dense mix. That’s a huge part of why this specific medley stands above their other "Evolution" videos.
The Transition: From Avi to Matt
If you’re a real PTX fan, you know the group changed. Avi Kaplan left in 2017, citing the grueling pace of touring. He was replaced by Matt Sallee. While Matt wasn't in the original Michael Jackson medley video, the "evolution" of the group itself is intrinsically tied to how they perform these MJ hits live today.
Matt brings a different energy. Where Avi was a "drone" bass—steady, deep, and haunting—Matt is a "percussive" bass. He’s soulful. When they perform Michael Jackson tracks now, the "evolution" continues. The arrangements have been tweaked. They’ve added more "Black and White" era grit.
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What You Can Learn from the PTX Method
Whether you’re a singer, a creator, or just a fan, there’s a blueprint here. Pentatonix didn't just "do a cover." They analyzed what made the original work and then translated it into a different "language" (a cappella).
- Deconstruction: They broke songs down to their core components: the hook, the bassline, and the rhythmic "heartbeat."
- Pacing: Notice how the medley never lingers too long on one song. It keeps you wanting more.
- Visual Storytelling: The outfits and the lighting in the video change to match the era. Red leather for "Thriller," sleek suits for the later years.
How to Experience This Today
If you haven't watched the video in a few years, go back and look at the transitions. Specifically, the jump from "Human Nature" into "Smooth Criminal." It’s seamless. It’s the kind of transition that DJs spend years trying to perfect, done entirely with breath control and timing.
The evolution of Michael Jackson Pentatonix remains a gold standard for vocal arranging. It’s taught in contemporary music programs. It’s analyzed by vocal coaches on YouTube. It’s a testament to the idea that you don’t need a band to sound like a stadium.
To really appreciate the technicality, try these steps:
- Listen with high-quality headphones. You’ll hear the subtle lip pops and breathing patterns that provide the "high-hat" sounds in the percussion.
- Watch the background singers. Most people focus on the lead, but the magic of Pentatonix is in the three-part harmonies happening behind the melody.
- Compare it to the originals. Play "Heal the World" by MJ and then skip to the PTX version. Notice how they captured the "choir" feel with only three voices harmonizing.
This isn't just a tribute. It's a study in how to honor a legend while carving out your own space in the industry. Pentatonix proved that a cappella wasn't a niche genre—it was a powerhouse.
Next Steps for Music Enthusiasts:
If you want to dive deeper into how this vocal magic happens, start by looking up Ben Bram’s arrangement breakdowns. He often shares how he layers the different vocal parts to create that "wall of sound." You should also check out Kevin Olusola’s "cello-boxing" videos to see how he integrates instruments with vocal percussion. If you're looking for more "Evolution" style content, their "Evolution of Rihanna" and "Evolution of Beyoncé" provide a great contrast in how they handle different genres like R&B and Pop.