Song Singers Eslpod Famous Pop Music Singing Sing

"A capella" music refers to singing without "accompaniment," or without instruments that are playing at the same time. Both "soloists" (singers who sing by themselves) and small groups sing a capella, and some of them have "risen to fame" (become famous).

Bobby McFerrin is probably America's most popular a capella singer. His best-known song is "Don't Worry, Be Happy," which became the "number-one" (top; most popular) "pop hit" (well-liked song in popular music) in 1988 and won the Grammy Awards for Song of the Year and Record of the Year in 1989.

Born in 1950, Bobby McFerrin has a "unique" (unlike anything else) musical style. He was so "committed" (focused on making something happen) to developing his style that he tried not to listen to any other singers for two years so that he would not "imitate" (copy) their style. He is known for singing "fluidly" (quickly and smoothly) even while making big "jumps" (movements) in "pitch" (how high or low a note is). He also uses his mouth and "chest" (the front part of one's body, between the stomach and the neck) to make "percussive" (related to drums) sounds.

The most famous American a capella group is probably Pentatonix, based in Austin, Texas. The five singers "came to prominence" (became well known) by participating in a TV show called The Sing-Off. The group has complex "arrangements" (music compositions that involve different singers or instruments) and they use "vocal percussion" (using one's mouth and voice to make drum-like sounds). Mostly they perform pop music, but their music is influenced by many different "genres" (types of music) including reggae, hip hop, and even classical music.