In late 2011, Pentatonix won Season 3 of NBC’s The Sing-Off, only to be abruptly dropped by Epic Records. Facing an uncertain future, the group orchestrated a high-stakes independent comeback, with their April 2013 release, “Evolution of Music,” becoming one of its standout moments. This fan-favorite masterpiece helped showcase their monumental fanbase to the industry. Featuring the original lineup of Scott Hoying, Mitch Grassi, Kirstin Maldonado, Avi Kaplan, and Kevin Olusola, alongside arranger Ben Bram, they built a 4.5-minute uninterrupted medley layer-by-layer. By stacking harmonies, chord skeletons, and vocal percussion, they proved one viewer’s observation: “Viewers: Where are the instruments? Pentatonix: We ARE the instruments.”
Visually, the video is remarkably sparse. Using a plain background with no sets or mid-song costume changes, the minimalist approach ensures the focus remains entirely on the group’s staggering vocal arrangements. Structurally, the medley is an ambitious chronological tour spanning ten centuries and 36 songs. The journey begins with the ancient 11th-century chants of “Salve Regina” before smoothly transitioning into classical touchstones across the 17th, 18th, and early 19th centuries, including Pachelbel’s “Canon in D” and Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 5.” From there, the group confidently leaps forward into the 1910s, setting the stage for a rapid-fire exploration of modern musical history.
The arrangement races through the decades, shifting from early pop hits like “Minnie The Moocher” and “La Bamba” into timeless anthems like “Stand By Me,” “Respect,” and “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Approaching the modern era, they tackle “…Baby One More Time” before concluding with “Gangnam Style” and “Call Me Maybe.” Earning over 145 million views and 2.3 million likes, the video became one of the channel’s signature uploads. That same year, Pentatonix did win an inaugural YouTube Music Award, not for this video, but for their Lindsey Stirling collaboration “Radioactive.” It also left an educational legacy, adopted by music teachers in classrooms while inspiring global spin-offs like Penn Masala’s Bollywood evolution and the Y-Studs’ Jewish music version.
For fans, including those in The Music Man community, this video captures the definitive magic of the original lineup before Avi Kaplan departed in 2017. His window-shaking vocals remain legendary, with one viewer asking, “Is there something deeper than Mariana Trench? The dude in the lower left.” Furthermore, the medley’s smooth transitions became hardwired into viewers’ brains. A fan noted they “stopped being able to hear the original versions of these songs without expecting them to transition.” Longing for a continuation of this vocal mastery, another fan humorously pleaded: “Everyone: We need a Minecraft cave update. Me: We need to update this video.” If you enjoyed this chronological musical journey, you will love watching the group pay tribute to Queen Bey’s iconic discography in the same style.
Ultimately, this viral triumph was part of a wider independent digital run that forced the music industry to recognize the group’s undeniable commercial viability. By proving their massive, dedicated audience through independent digital success, Pentatonix successfully secured a new major label deal. This critical re-signing launched them into unprecedented mainstream territory, moving them far beyond their reality television origins. They went on to earn multiple Grammy Award wins and achieve millions of album sales worldwide, proving that a purely vocal group could compete at the highest levels of the incredibly competitive modern pop music scene.
Today, “Evolution of Music” stands as the undeniable turning point in the quintet’s storied career. It remains a definitive historical masterclass in the boundless power, precision, and versatility of the human voice. Beyond the impressive view counts and accolades, the medley cemented Pentatonix as true YouTube royalty and new musical pioneers. By trusting their distinctive arranging skills and raw vocal talent when the industry doubted them, they created an enduring digital monument that continues to inspire aspiring a cappella artists and devoted music lovers around the globe.