KIDZ BOP, a leading music brand producing kid-friendly versions of pop hits sung by kids for kids, is striving to engage an even larger audience — inclusive of people with disabilities. KIDZ BOP launched a collection of ASL music videos – now available on YouTube and other social platforms.
In addition to best-selling albums and live tour events, KIDZ BOP boasts a large following online, including 3.25 million subscribers to its YouTube channel. With views quickly racking up, it appears this youthful audience is applauding the new KIDZ BOP Sign + Dance Along series! These upbeat performances invite children and their families to sing, dance and sign along with popular tunes interpreted with American Sign Language (ASL). The video collection, as of press time of this article, featured seven chart-topping tracks, like “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” (from Disney’s Encanto soundtrack) and “Dance Monkey” (written and originally performed by Australian singer Tones and I).
For this inclusive project, KIDZ BOP collaborated with Savannah Dahan, who was born deaf to parents who are also deaf. This talented 12-year-old performance artist, who goes by the name Savvy, doesn’t miss a beat when signing, singing and dancing along to “Meet Me At Our Spot” (song by The Anxiety, a duo band of singers Willow Smith and Tyler Cole), “Shake It Off” (song by singer-songwriter Taylor Swift) and others.
“As a KIDZ BOP kid, I feel proud to be able to make a difference in the lives of Deaf children by sharing my passion for music with them,” Dahan shared with PEOPLE when the ASL music videos debuted. “My goal is to show them how beautiful music is, regardless of whether or not you can hear it. You just have to feel it in your heart.”
Dahan’s love of performing was evident at an early age. When her parents posted a clip of the then 8-year-old signing Carrie Underwood’s “The Champion,” the video went viral; even catching the attention of the famed country crooner. Underwood invited her skilled fan to perform with her which, Dahan explained, made her fall even deeper in love with entertainment. That glimpse of viral fame led to commercial spots and appearances on television shows, like “Law & Order.”
Now, Dahan is proving to be a star in her own right as the newest member of KIDZ BOP. Dahan says signing music brings her much joy and, hopefully, will motivate the Deaf community to also dance, sing and sign to their hearts’ content. Perhaps she’ll even help people – with and without disabilities – learn ASL. And as for Dahan, well she’s dabbling in learning five other languages, including French Sign Language, Thai, Hebrew, French and Spanish!
KIDZ BOP is slated to release its next album, KIDZ BOP 2023, on January 20. It features songs like “About That Time,” “Anti-Hero,” “Late Night Talking” and “Sunroof,” among other pop hits.