YellowJackets hang on in 'Sing-Off'

by Susan Mikula Campbell

The YellowJackets from the University of Rochester had a tough time with Hip-hop Week on NBC's "The Sing-Off" on Monday, landing in the bottom two in the a cappella competition, but surviving as one of the seven finalists for next week's show.

The group includes junior Michael Pittman, a 2009 graduate of Niagara-Wheatfield High School. Pittman had a cameo appearance on Monday's show talking about The YellowJackets' trip to Kenya last summer and the effect seeing the needs of the children in orphanages had on them.

The YellowJackets sang Lupe Fiasco's "The Show Goes On" as their hip-hop offering. Judges said their version felt rushed and put them in the bottom two with The Collective from Nashville. The two groups had to sing-off for the right to return next week. The YellowJackets chose Nelly's "Just A Dream" as their last chance, which turned out to be a winner by one vote.

Judges Shawn Stockman and Ben Folds split their votes between the two groups, leaving Sara Bareilles as the tiebreaker. She chose The YellowJackets.

Next week's show will begin with a Halloween-themed opening, followed by each of the seven finalists performing hits from music's biggest stars.