If you have kids or have been around kids, you have probably heard of Kidz Bop.
Kidz Bop is a music brand that produces family-friendly versions of pop songs sung by kids for kids.
But who owns Kidz Bop and how did it become such a successful phenomenon?
In this article, we will explore the history, ownership, and impact of Kidz Bop.
The History of Kidz Bop
Kidz Bop was created in 2001 by Cliff Chenfeld and Craig Balsam, the founders of entertainment company Razor & Tie.
They came up with the idea of making kid-friendly covers of popular songs after noticing that their own children loved listening to pop music but often encountered inappropriate lyrics.
They decided to hire talented child singers and record clean versions of hit songs that would appeal to both kids and parents.
The first Kidz Bop album was released in October 2001 and featured songs like “All Star” by Smash Mouth, “Oops!.. I Did It Again” by Britney Spears, and “Bye Bye Bye” by NSYNC.
The album was a success and spawned a series of follow-up albums that were released every few months.
Each album featured the latest chart-topping songs as well as some classics from previous decades.
Over the years, Kidz Bop has expanded its brand to include merchandise, music videos, a live touring division, talent search competitions, and international versions in the U.K., France, and Germany.
Kidz Bop has also collaborated with various celebrities, such as Kelly Clarkson, Adam Levine, Meghan Trainor, and Bruno Mars.
Who is the owner of Kidz Bop?
Kidz Bop is currently owned by Concord, a private company funded by its management team and long-term institutional capital.
Concord is a leading music firm that creates movie musicals, biopics, animated features, documentaries, and contemporary remakes.
The firm also owns music publishing rights to nearly 900,000 songs from artists across the world.
Concord acquired Kidz Bop from Razor & Tie in 2018 for an undisclosed amount.
According to Concord’s chief label executive Tom Whalley, the acquisition was motivated by the incredible connection that Kidz Bop has with kids and families around the globe.
Whalley also praised the “visionary leadership” of Sasha Junk, who is the president of Kidz Bop.
Sasha Junk joined Kidz Bop in 2009 and was promoted to president in 2020.
She is based in New York and oversees all aspects of the brand’s operations, including marketing, sales, licensing, live events, digital media, and international expansion.
She has been instrumental in growing Kidz Bop’s fan base and revenue through innovative strategies and partnerships.
The Kidz Bop Kids
Many Kidz Bop fans have grown up to become singers, songwriters, musicians, or performers themselves.
Some former Kidz Bop singers have also pursued successful careers in the entertainment industry, such as Zendaya, Ross Lynch, Noah Munck, Becky G, and Olivia Holt.
They are selected through auditions and castings that are held every year.
The Kidz Bop Kids have changed over time, as some of them grow older and leave the group, while new ones join in.
Some of the current Kidz Bop Kids are Alana, Ayden, Colette, Indigo, Jacob, Mia, Shane, and Sienna.
The Kidz Bop Kids not only sing but also dance, act, and create content for their fans.
They star in their own music videos, which are uploaded on their YouTube channel that has over 3 million subscribers.
Kidz Bop also have their own TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter accounts where they share behind-the-scenes clips, challenges, and fun facts.
They also go on live tours across the country and perform in front of thousands of kids and families.
The current Kidz Bop Kids are Alana, Ayden, Colette, Indigo, Jacob, Mia, Shane, and Sienna.
They were chosen from thousands of auditionees in 2021 and made their debut in the album Kidz Bop 2023, which was released in January 2023.
The current members have also released several music videos and performed live on their Never Stop Live Tour.
Kidz Bop Members 2023
Here are some fun facts about each Kidz Bop Kid:
- Alana is 12 years old and from Los Angeles, California. She loves singing, dancing, acting, and playing guitar. Her favorite song is “Sunroof” by Kidz Bop.
- Ayden is 13 years old and from New York City, New York. He loves singing, dancing, acting, and playing piano. His favorite song is “Late Night Talking” by Kidz Bop.
- Colette is 11 years old and from Nashville, Tennessee. She loves singing, dancing, acting, and playing ukulele. Her favorite song is “Anti-Hero” by Kidz Bop.
- Indigo is 12 years old and from Toronto, Canada. She loves singing, dancing, acting, and playing drums. Her favorite song is “Break My Soul” by Kidz Bop.
- Jacob is 13 years old and from Chicago, Illinois. He loves singing, dancing, acting, and playing guitar. His favorite song is “About That Time” by Kidz Bop.
- Mia is 11 years old and from Miami, Florida. She loves singing, dancing, acting, and playing violin. Her favorite song is “Hold Me Closer” by Kidz Bop.
- Shane is 12 years old and from Dallas, Texas. He loves singing, dancing, acting, and playing keyboard. His favorite song is “I’m Good (Blue)” by Kidz Bop.
- Sienna is 13 years old and from Seattle, Washington. She loves singing, dancing, acting, and playing bass. Her favorite song is “Kidz Bop Never Stop” by Kidz Bop.
Controversies
Kidz Bop has also faced some challenges and controversies over the years.
Some critics have argued that Kidz Bop sanitizes pop music too much and removes its original meaning and context.
Others parents have complained that Kidz Bop still exposes their children to adult themes or inappropriate messages through its song choices or videos.
Some artists have also expressed their dislike or disapproval of having their songs covered by Kidz Bop.
Despite these issues, Kidz Bop remains a popular and influential brand that continues to evolve with the times and cater to its loyal fans.
As Sasha Junk said in an interview with Forbes: “We’re always looking for new ways to connect with kids and families through music.”
Kidz Bop Songs
Kidz Bop has been a cultural phenomenon for over two decades.
It has sold over 22.5 million albums and generated over 6.5 billion streams worldwide.
Kidz Bop has also been named Billboard’s No. 1 Kids’ Album Artist for 11 consecutive years and ranked No. 4 on Billboard’s list of artists with the most Billboard 200 Top 10 albums of all time.
It has not only entertained millions of kids and families but also inspired them to express themselves through music.
Kidz Bop has covered hundreds of songs from various genres and artists over the years. Some of their most popular songs include:
- Dance Monkey by Tones and I
- Levitating by Dua Lipa
- Blinding Lights by The Weeknd
- Dynamite by BTS
- Savage Love by Jason Derulo and Jawsh 685
- Old Town Road by Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus
- Havana by Camila Cabello and Young Thug
- Shake It Off by Taylor Swift
- Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars
- Happy by Pharrell Williams
Kidz Bop Dance Monkey
“Dance Monkey” is a song by Australian singer Tones and I that was released in 2019.
It became a global hit and topped the charts in over 30 countries.
The song is about the pressure that performers face to entertain their audiences and keep them happy.
Kidz Bop covered “Dance Monkey” in their album Kidz Bop 2023 and released an official music video for it.
The music video features the Kidz Bop Kids dancing in various locations, such as a park, a rooftop, a studio, and a stage.
Kidz Bop Kids also performed “Dance Monkey” live on their Never Stop Live Tour.
To dance like a Kidz Bop Kid to “Dance Monkey”, you need to learn some basic moves and steps that they use in their music video and live performances.
Conclusion
Kidz Bop is a music brand that produces family-friendly versions of pop songs sung by kids for kids. It was created in 2001 by Cliff Chenfeld and Craig Balsam of Razor & Tie and is now owned by Concord, a leading music firm.
Kidz Bop has been a cultural phenomenon for over two decades, entertaining and inspiring millions of kids and families around the world.
Whether you want to sing along, dance along, or just have fun, Kidz Bop has something for everyone.
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