Kidz Bop
American children's music group
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kidz Bop is an American children's music group that produces family-friendly covers of pop songs and related media. Kidz Bop releases compilation albums that feature children covering songs that chart high on the Billboard Hot 100 or receive heavy airplay from contemporary hit radio stations several months prior to each album's release. Their cover versions use substituted language for the original profanity. On some occasions, the original artist performs on a track with Kidz Bop, such as "Take You There" featuring vocals from Sean Kingston.
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- France
- Mexico
| |
| Product type | Children's music |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Introduced | October 9, 2001 |
| Markets |
|
| Tagline | Sung By Kids For Kids |
| Website | kidzbop |
History
The concept for Kidz Bop was developed by Razor & Tie founders Cliff Chenfeld and Craig Balsam[1] and released its first entry on October 9, 2001.[2] Since its debut, Kidz Bop has sold over 21 million albums and has generated over 4.5 billion streams.[3] Kidz Bop later expanded to include merchandise, music videos, a live touring division, and sought talent search competitions.
In 2018, Chenfeld and Balsam left the company.[4]
Chart performance
Kidz Bop was named Billboard's number 1 Kids' Album Artist for ten consecutive years, including 2010,[6] 2011,[7] 2012,[8] 2013,[9] 2014, 2015,[10] 2016,[11] 2017,[12] 2018,[13] 2019[14] and 2020.[15]
In December 2020, Spotify announced that Kidz Bop was the top-streamed artist in the US on the Spotify Kids app.[16]
Kidz Bop were included in Billboard's Top 100 Artists of the Decade for the 2010s at number 75.[17]
Kidz Bop 26, released on July 15, 2014, marked the franchise's 40th charting album on the Billboard 200.[18] Since the brand's debut in 2001, more than 20 million Kidz Bop albums have been sold worldwide.[19]
In November 2015, Billboard Magazine announced that Kidz Bop ranked number 4 on their list of artists with the "Most Billboard 200 Top 10 Albums of All Time". The Kidz Bop Kids rank higher than iconic artists such as Madonna and Bruce Springsteen, with 22 top 10 albums on the Billboard 200.[20]
In 2015, Kidz Bop 29 debuted at number 3 on the Billboard 200 chart. In the same year, the franchise sold 1.15 million units, accounting for 23% of the children's music album category.[21]
Kidz Bop has released the best-selling children's albums for several years; Kidz Bop 25 in 2014,[22] Kidz Bop 27 in 2015,[23] and Kidz Bop 31 in 2016.[24]
Tours
2007 Kidz Bop World Tour
The Kidz Bop World Tour was a nationwide rock concert tour for children produced in partnership with VStar Entertainment Group and was Kidz Bop's first live concert tour.[25] The tour began on October 12 in Davenport, Iowa and had sponsors including Dodge and Juicy Juice.[26] The shows featured child vocalists and dancers backed by adult musicians.[27]
2014 "Dream Big, Sing Loud" Tour
Kidz Bop's "Dream Big, Sing Loud" nationwide tour promoted Kidz Bop 26 in over 40 cities in 2014. Major markets included New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago, and Atlanta.[28] The final stop of their 2014 tour was at Radio City Music Hall, where Kidz Bop performed live to open for the Radio City Christmas.[29]
2015 "Make Some Noise" Tour
The national live tour visited more than 50 cities in 2015, including New York, Boston, Dallas, Washington, Nashville, Baltimore, Seattle, and Los Angeles.[30] The tour was sponsored by Build-A-Bear Workshop's Honey Girls. Audience members at the Kidz Bop tour saw a special preview of the Honey Girls' debut music video at each show.[31]
In August 2015, Kidz Bop announced that it was extending the "Make Some Noise" tour to include nine holiday performances. The holiday shows were added following the success of the "Make Some Noise" tour's spring and summer dates.[32]
2016 "Life of the Party" Tour
In February 2016, Kidz Bop announced it was celebrating its 15th birthday with the "Life of the Party" tour. In March 2016, Kidz Bop announced a partnership with Live Nation to add summer amphitheater dates to the "Life of the Party" Tour. In Connecticut, the tour began on July 16 at the Toyota Oakdale Theatre. Additional cities included Brooklyn, Charlotte, and Chicago.[33]
2017 "Best Time Ever" Tour
In February 2017, Kidz Bop and Live Nation announced the "Best Time Ever" tour. The 2017 live tour visited more than 50 cities across the U.S. It included stops at BOK Center, Legoland, Greek Theatre, Boardwalk Hall, Honda Center, and Ford Amphitheater at Coney Island.[34] The tour was sponsored by Juicy Juice Splashers, and began in April 2017.[35]
2018 Kidz Bop Live Tour
Following the success of 2017's "Best Time Ever" tour, Kidz Bop and Live Nation announced another North American Tour, "Kidz Bop Live 2018". The tour announcement coincided with the release of Kidz Bop 37. The summer leg began in Toronto, Canada, on June 1, 2018, and performed in more than 50 cities, including Chicago, New York (Jones Beach), Los Angeles (Greek Theatre), and Boston (Leader Bank Pavilion).[36] Four Kidz Bop Kids perform live at each concert, which were produced by SRae Productions. The creative team behind "Kidz Bop Live 2018" has previously produced tours for Imagine Dragons, The Weeknd, Rascal Flatts, and Pentatonix.[37]
2019 Kidz Bop World Tour
In December 2018, Kidz Bop and Live Nation announced the "Kidz Bop World Tour 2019". The 2019 tour visited more than 50 cities across the United States, Australia, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Mexico. The tour was sponsored by Subway and began on April 20 at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, London.[38]
2022 Kidz Bop Live Tour
In January 2020, Kidz Bop announced they would be doing a national tour.[39] The tour was rescheduled to 2022, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[40] It ran from July 19 to September 14, 2022.
2023 Kidz Bop Never Stop Live Tour
In January 2023, Kidz Bop announced the Kidz Bop Never Stop Live Tour.[41] It ran from June 21 to September 14, 2023.
Kidz Bop Live Certified Bop Tour 2025
In 2025, Kidz Bop announced the Kidz Bop Live Certified Bop Tour 2025. It ran from August 14 to September 10, 2025.
Notable Kidz Bop alumni
- Fin Argus[42]
- Becky G[43] – her song "Shower" later appeared on Kidz Bop 27
- Kiana Brown[43]
- Olivia Holt[43]
- Elijah Johnson[43][44]
- Grant Knoche
- Spencer Locke[43] – Kidz Bop: Everyone's a Star (DVD)
- Ross Lynch[43][44][45]
- Noah Munck[43]
- Zendaya[43][44] – her song "Replay" later appeared as a LeapFrog exclusive on Kidz Bop 26
International expansion
United Kingdom
In February 2017, Kidz Bop announced it was launching outside the U.S. for the first time, expanding into the UK. There was a new lineup of British Kidz Bop Kids.[46] Kidz Bop partnered with Universal Music Group, ITV, Crown Talent and Media Group and Creative Artists Agency for the UK launch, with ITV featuring the group in an episode of its star search programme The Big Audition.[47][48]
The first two albums, Kidz Bop and Kidz Bop 2018, were released in the UK on March 31 and November 10, 2017, respectively. The third and fourth albums, Kidz Bop Summer '18 and Kidz Bop 2019, were released in the UK on March 23 and December 7, 2018, respectively. The fifth album, Kidz Bop 2020, was released in the UK on November 15, 2019. The sixth and seventh albums, Kidz Bop Party Playlist and Kidz Bop 2021, were released in the UK in June and October 2020, respectively. The eighth album, Kidz Bop All-Time Greatest Hits, was released in the UK on March 26, 2021. The ninth album, Kidz Bop 2022, was released in the UK on October 22, 2021.
Germany
Kidz Bop Germany and Kidz Bop Germany 2 were released in Germany on March 29 and September 6, 2019, respectively. The third and fourth albums, Kidz Bop Party Playlist! and Kidz Bop 2021, were released on April 3 and October 23, 2020, respectively. The fifth album, Kidz Bop All-Time Greatest Hits was released on March 26, 2021. The sixth album, Kidz Bop 2022, was released on October 22, 2021.
France
Kidz Bop 2022 was released in France on October 22, 2021, and was performed by the first lineup of French Kidz Bop Kids.[49]
Mexico
Kidz Bop 2022 was released in Mexico on October 22, 2021, and was performed by the first lineup of Spanish-speaking Kidz Bop Kids.[50]
Reception
Three months preceding the release of Kidz Bop 10 in 2006, the online tracklist was revealed to feature a cover of Fall Out Boy's "Dance, Dance". After finding out that Kidz Bop can use a song without the original artist's permission but needs their approval to change the lyrics, bassist Pete Wentz responded by requesting the removal of the cover due to the song's sexual overtones, to which Razor & Tie obliged and re-released the tracklist, eliminating "Dance, Dance".[51]
A 2017 study on censorship in Kidz Bop found that replacing words and phrases in songs does not disassociate the original in the minds of young listeners who have heard the uncensored song, and that "repackaging adult music as kids' music" does not remove the adult themes even when words or phrases are substituted. Christopher Bell, an associate professor of media studies at the University of Colorado, has called Kidz Bop "an abomination" because it censors language but not content, altering specific words without changing or obscuring the underlying tone or meaning. He explained: "I don't need a sanitized version of 'Despacito' — I need 8-year-olds not to be singing 'Despacito' because that [song] is super dirty. And Kidz Bop doesn't always make that distinction."[52]
In 2024, Kidz Bop was criticized by the LGBTQ media website Them for the reworked version of Chappell Roan's "Good Luck, Babe!". While the original song referenced Roan's closeted lesbian lover who is regretting her farce of a heterosexual marriage, the Kidz Bop cover version removed any hint of sexuality, replacing the words with confusing "out-of-left-field lyrical choices", according to Them.[53] Members of the LGBTQ community have also criticized Kidz Bop for removing gay references in songs such as "Montero (Call Me by Your Name)" by Lil Nas X and "Born This Way" by Lady Gaga. Many Americans with conservative political views have also criticized the brand for covering songs from these two artists.[54]
Albums
| Album | Release date | Peak chart positions | Certifications (sales thresholds)[55] |
AllMusic review | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Kids [56] |
US [56] |
AUS [57] |
AUT [58] |
CAN [59] |
GER [60] |
SWI [61] |
UK [62] | ||||
| Kidz Bop | October 9, 2001 | 1 | 76 | — | — | — | — | — | 7[63] |
US: Gold |
[64] |
| Kidz Bop 2 | August 20, 2002 | 1 | 37 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
US: Gold |
[65] |
| Kidz Bop Christmas (2002) | October 22, 2002 | — | 66 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Kidz Bop 3 | March 4, 2003 | 1 | 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
US: Gold |
[66] |
| Kidz Bop 4 | August 12, 2003 | 1 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
US: Gold |
[67] |
| Kidz Bop 5 | February 24, 2004 | 1 | 34 | — | — | — | — | — | — | [68] | |
| Kidz Bop Gold | May 18, 2004 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Kidz Bop 6 | August 10, 2004 | 1 | 23 | — | — | — | — | — | — | [69] | |
| Kidz Bop Halloween | August 24, 2004 | 1 | 132 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Kidz Bop 7 | February 22, 2005 | 1 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
US: Gold |
[70] |
| Kidz Bop 8 | August 2, 2005 | 1 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
US: Gold |
[71] |
| A Very Merry Kidz Bop | September 27, 2005 | 3 | 128 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Kidz Bop 9 | February 21, 2006 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
US: Gold |
[72] |
| More Kidz Bop Gold | May 23, 2006 | 5 | 176 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Kidz Bop 10 | August 1, 2006 | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
US: Gold |
[73] |
| Kidz Bop 11 | February 20, 2007 | 1 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | [74] | |
| Kidz Bop Country | May 22, 2007 | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Kidz Bop 12 | July 31, 2007 | 2 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | [75] | |
| The Coolest Kidz Bop Christmas Ever! | September 25, 2007 | 5 | 57 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Kidz Bop 13 | February 19, 2008 | 1 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | [76] | |
| Kidz Bop: 80s Gold | May 20, 2008 | 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Kidz Bop 14 | July 29, 2008 | 1 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Kidz Bop 15 | February 3, 2009 | 1 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | [78] | |
| Kidz Bop Greatest Hits | June 9, 2009 | 3 | 94 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Kidz Bop 16 | August 4, 2009 | 1 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | [79] | |
| Kidz Bop Christmas | August 15, 2009 | 3 | 120 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Kidz Bop Sings The Beatles | November 10, 2009 | 1 | 173 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Kidz Bop 17 | January 26, 2010 | 1 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | [80] | |
| Kidz Bop Dance Party! | May 3, 2010 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Kidz Bop 18 | July 20, 2010 | 1 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | US: Gold | [81] |
| Kidz Bop Halloween Party | August 24, 2010 | 2 | 67 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Kidz Bop Christmas Party | October 5, 2010 | 7 | 140 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Kidz Bop 19 | January 18, 2011 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | US: Gold | [82] |
| Kidz Bop Sings Monster Ballads | May 17, 2011 | 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Kidz Bop 20 | July 19, 2011 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | [83] | |
| Kidz Bop Christmas (2011) | October 11, 2011 | 10 | 147 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Kidz Bop 21 | January 17, 2012 | 1 | 2 | — | — | 18 | — | — | — | US: Gold | [84] |
| Kidz Bop Ultimate Hits | May 8, 2012 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Kidz Bop 22 | July 17, 2012 | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | US: Gold | [85] |
| Kidz Bop Halloween Hits! | September 11, 2012 | 1 | 111 | — | — | 85[86] | — | — | — | ||
| Kidz Bop Christmas! | October 2, 2012 | 6 | 143 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Kidz Bop 23 | January 15, 2013 | 1 | 2 | — | — | 23 | — | — | — | [87] | |
| Kidz Bop Party Hits | May 14, 2013 | 1 | 108 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Kidz Bop 24 | July 16, 2013 | 1 | 3 | — | — | 11 | — | — | — | [88] | |
| Kidz Bop 25 | January 14, 2014 | 1 | 3 | — | — | 18 | — | — | — | US: Gold | [89] |
| Kidz Bop Party Pop! | May 6, 2014 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Kidz Bop 26 | July 15, 2014 | 1 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | [90] | |
| Kids Bop Christmas Wish List | November 4, 2014 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Kidz Bop 27 | January 13, 2015 | 1 | 3 | — | — | 22 | — | — | — | US: Gold | [91] |
| Kidz Bop 28 | March 23, 2015 | 1 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | [92] | |
| Kidz Bop 29 | July 10, 2015 | 1 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | [93] | |
| Kidz Bop 30 | October 16, 2015 | 1 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | [94] | |
| Kidz Bop 31 | January 15, 2016 | 1 | 6 | — | — | 70 | — | — | — | [95] | |
| Kidz Bop Greatest Hits! | April 1, 2016 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Kidz Bop Greatest Hits! (2016) | April 1, 2016 | 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Kidz Bop 32 | July 15, 2016 | 1 | 9 | — | — | 63 | — | — | — | [96] | |
| Kidz Bop Halloween (2016) | September 16, 2016 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Kidz Bop 33 | October 14, 2016 | 1 | 30 | — | — | — | — | — | — | [97] | |
| Kidz Bop Christmas (2016) | October 28, 2016 | 3 | 111 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Kidz Bop 34 | January 20, 2017 | 1 | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | [98] | |
| Kidz Bop 35 | July 14, 2017 | 1 | 32 | — | — | — | — | — | — | [99] | |
| Kidz Bop 36 | October 13, 2017 | 1 | 119 | — | — | — | — | — | — | [100] | |
| Kidz Bop 2018[101] | November 10, 2017 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 25 | UK: Silver[102] | |
| Kidz Bop 37 | January 19, 2018 | 1 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | [103] | |
| Kidz Bop Summer '18 | March, 23 2018 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | ||
| Kidz Bop 38 | July 13, 2018 | 1 | 47 | — | — | — | — | — | — | [104] | |
| Kidz Bop Christmas (2018) | September 14, 2018 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Kidz Bop 2019 | December 7, 2018 | — | — | 50 | — | — | — | — | 26 | UK: Silver[105] | |
| Kidz Bop 39 | January 18, 2019 | 1 | 53 | — | — | — | — | — | — | [106] | |
| KIDZ BOP Germany | March 29, 2019 | — | — | — | 20 | — | 14 | — | — | ||
| Kidz Bop World Tour | May 24, 2019 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Kidz Bop Germany 2 | September 6, 2019 | — | — | — | — | — | 36 | — | — | ||
| Kidz Bop 40 | November 15, 2019 | 2 [107] |
97 [108] |
— | — | — | — | — | — | [109] | |
| Kidz Bop 2020[101] | November, 15 2019 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | UK: Silver[110] | |
| Kidz Bop Party Playlist | March 27, 2020 | 3 [111] |
177 [112] |
— | 23 | — | 10 | 47 | 22 | UK: Silver[113] | [114] |
| Kidz Bop Halloween Party! | September 4, 2020 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Kidz Bop Christmas Party! | September 25, 2020 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Kidz Bop 2021 | October 23, 2020 | 1 [115] |
— | — | 29 | — | 20 | — | 27 | UK: Silver[116] | [117] |
| Kidz Bop All-Time Greatest Hits | March 26, 2021 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 96 | — | — | ||
| Kidz Bop (20th Birthday Edition) | June 25, 2021 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Kidz Bop 2022 | October 22, 2021 | 2 [118] |
— | — | 60 | — | 35 | — | 72 | [119] | |
| Kidz Bop Ultimate Playlist | January 21, 2022 | 4 [120] |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | [121] | |
| Kidz Bop Super Pop! | July 15, 2022 | 6 [122] |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | [123] | |
| Kidz Bop Halloween (2022) | September 2, 2022 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Kidz Bop Christmas (2022) | November 4, 2022 | 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Kidz Bop 2023 | January 20, 2023 | 1 [124] |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | [125] | |
| Kidz Bop 2023 Vol. 2 | July 14, 2023 | 7 [126] |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | [127] | |
| Kidz Bop 2024 | January 19, 2024 | 2 [128] |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | [129] | |
| Kidz Bop 2024 Vol. 2 | July 12, 2024 | 3 [130] |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | [131] | |
| Kidz Bop BEST SONGS EVER | October 25, 2024 | 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Kidz Bop 50 | January 17, 2025 | 25 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | [132] | |
| Kidz Bop 51 | July 18, 2025 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | [133] | |
| Kidz Bop 52 | January 9, 2026 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
Concert film
Kidz Bop Live: The Concert Movie is an American concert film featuring the Kidz Bop Kids. Announced in November 2025, it documents a performance on the 2025 Kidz Bop Live Certified Bop Tour, filmed at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. It features current group members Cliff Donadio, Shila Sable, Matty Googs, and Aleah Crew performing child-friendly versions of contemporary pop songs, including "APT" and "Pink Pony Club". The film ran a limited theatrical release in the United States from January 2 to 5, 2026, as part of Kidz Bop's 25th anniversary celebrations, in partnership with Fathom Entertainment, Concord Originals and Museum of Illusions.[134][135]
Related projects
Chuck E. Cheese music partnership
In August 2023, Chuck E. Cheese announced Kidz Bop as its official music partner, after using Kidz Bop music in its fun centers for several years.[136]
Kidz Bop experience at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana
In 2018, Kidz Bop announced the fully branded "Kidz Bop Experience" at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana.[137]
They opened a Kidz Bop experience at Hard Rock Riviera Maya in August 2019.
Legoland music partnership
In 2016, Legoland Florida appointed Kidz Bop as its official music partner, coinciding with the launch of Lego Ninjago World, on January 12, 2017. To celebrate the park's expansion, the Kidz Bop Kids recorded an original version of the park's (and the television series') theme song.[138]
Crazy 8 fashion brand
Kidz Bop partnered with children's clothing brand, Crazy 8 to launch the Kidz Bop clothing line. The line was designed by Crazy 8.[139] The collection is made for babies, children and early adolescents.[140][141] The line was released on November 7, 2016, in Crazy 8 stores and online. The Kidz Bop performers wore the collection on stage during their 2016 Life Of The Party tour.[142]
Kidz Star USA talent search
In 2010, Kidz Bop launched Kidz Star USA, a national talent search for children aged 15 and under.
In 2011, Kiana Brown from Phoenix, Arizona, became the second winner and received a recording contract from RCA Records.[143][144] Season 8 winner of American Idol, Kris Allen, was a celebrity judge and mentor for the competition.
Dallas Wayde was the 2012 Winner with Gavin DeGraw as his celebrity mentor.[145]
Isabel Lacatus won in 2013, with Jennette McCurdy as her celebrity mentor.[146]
SiriusXM Radio
In January 2012, Kidz Bop launched its first radio show on SiriusXM Radio.[147] Kidz Bop Block Party airs every Friday at 6:00 pm on Kids Place Live (Channel 69). In January 2014, Kidz Bop and SiriusXM Launched Kidz Bop Radio, a 24/7 channel dedicated to playing Kidz Bop music (Channel 79).[148]
Video games
- Kidz Bop Dance Party: The Video Game – September 2010 (Nintendo Wii and Wii U)