From the hysteria they cause to the way they deliver a range of vocals in one in-sync harmony; there is something forever magical and wonderful about boy bands. And today’s are no different. We had the wild ride that was BTS and the comeback of the Jonas Brothers, but now we’re on the verge of something new with Pop Money. With Nick Cannon guiding them, the quintet has already scored some impressive feats, including being featured on the ‘Spider-Verse’ soundtrack. We talked about that moment, as well as their latest, “Boys Don’t Cry,” and what fans can expect as the year rolls on.
Kendra: All of you had been doing some form of performing when you first connected, whether it be dance or acting, but other than that – what do you think helped you initially connect when you first met?
Pop Money: We all have a love for performing on our own and that really helped us lock in as a unit. Our energies connect on a brotherly level, so it never feels like we’re working. We can talk about anything together whether it’s music, video games, or girls.
Kendra: Nick Cannon started when he was younger than some of you are now. What advice has he given you that’s helped you continue to stay grounded and focused as the group moves onward and upward?
Pop Money: Nick has been there for us since the very beginning. He played a huge part in molding us into the group we are today. On tour, he gave us so much advice on how to handle all of the pressure and stay locked in as a group. He also shows us what it’s like to manage your time wisely. We appreciate that even when he’s busy with his real kids, he always has time for us, his other kids!
Kendra: This year you’ve dropped a trio of singles, including your latest, “Boys Don’t Cry.” Are we gearing up for an EP or LP release in the new year?
Pop Money: We’re working on getting some songs together for an EP. We’ve been cooking up some heat and we can’t wait for the fans to hear. A full album is definitely our goal for the future!
Kendra: So I take any and every opportunity to check out new boy bands because I was lucky enough to come of age during the late ‘90s, a time when boy bands were plentiful and I’ll always have a deep appreciation for them. But today, it seems like when it comes to singing ensembles, KPop is huge but in the pop and R&B space, it’s a bit more minimal. Do you think that in the grand scheme that helps you standout in a sea of solo artists?
Pop Money: We definitely want to bring back the boy band vibes from the ‘90s in a whole new way. Our sound is so unique because we don’t just stick to one particular sound, our music is diverse and brings something for everyone to enjoy. As a group, we stand out from solo artists because rather than having one person for people to connect to – we have a group of five of us that can tell all of our stories to the world.
Kendra: I also want to mention “Another Dimension” from ‘Spider-Verse.’ Those soundtracks really are phenomenal. When you learned about that opportunity, was that one of those “never forget” moments of your life?
Pop Money: We feel like real superheroes now! Being a part of this incredible movie and soundtrack with some legendary artists that we look up to was an unbelievable experience. When we found out that we were going to be a part of the ‘Spider-Verse,’ we were honored and it’s still mind-blowing that we got to be a part of greatness. Metrooooooo.
Kendra: Also, if Pop Money were to be compared to a group of heroes, do you think you all are more like the X-Men, the Guardians of the Galaxy, or the Avengers – and why?
Pop Money: We would definitely have to say we are more like the Avengers because we each bring our individual talents together to create something amazing. We even have our own Avenger counterparts: AJ is Doctor Strange, Cam is Iron Man, Connor is Captain America, Rahja is Falcon, and YM is Thor.
Kendra: Now it’s time for a side note – with it being September AKA Self Improvement Month, I’m asking everyone to give us a song they like to put on when they are in self-care mode…
Pop Money:
AJ – “HVN ON EARTH” by Lil Tecca
Cam – “Blackman” by Yung Senju
Connor – “Barely Holding On” by Polo G
Rahja – “Charm” by Rema
YM – “Barely Holding On” by Polo G
Kendra: And lastly, with “Boy’s Don’t Cry” out now, what else do y’all have planned as we head into fall?
Pop Money: We’re just getting started, we boutta keep on going! The world can expect some music videos as well as more music. Make sure y’all check us out on Instagram and TikTok; we have more content coming to our socials.
