by Todd Betzold

The groups are dwindling down and it is time for the top eight to take on some hip-hop on this week's The Sing Off.

Another fun start to the show, as all eight groups hit the stage singing "Nothin' On You" by B.O.B. featuring Bruno Mars. These are fun to watch because they are all laid back and having fun.

Tonight, the eight will be divided into two groups of four, with the bottom team from each group battling head-to-head to the same song, "Just A Dream" by Nelly, to see who survives and who will be going home.

Up first, the Dartmouth Aires bring their skills to the stage. They primarily do rock songs, so the hip-hop song is a challenge for them. Singing "Club Can't Handle Me" by Flo Rida, the Aires have no problem transitioning to hip-hop. They did very well with the rap and were very entertaining on the stage, yet again....these guys are strong contenders.

One of my faves and jazz group, Afro-Blue, is next...can they tackle a hip-hop song? They'll be singing "Killing Me Softly" by The Fugees. I did not like this rendition at all. There was too much going on up on that stage and it didn't feel like hip-hop to me. To my fave team, I wasn't impressed. However, the judges loved it.

The collection of solo artists, The Collective, takes their aim at "Give Me Everything" by Pitbull. The soulful group tries to tackle the popular club song, but will they survive? I liked this one, but I wasn't in love with it. I think because it is such a popular song, it's hard to hear it in a different tone. It was decent.

Last up in the first group, Vocal Point will be singing an emotional song, "I'll Be Missing You" by Puff Daddy, in honor of Ben, who lost his dad during the show. I sense some tears coming soon. They let Ben take the lead and good or bad, it was a beautiful and moving song.

It is time to find out who is the first group in the bottom two. The first two safe groups are: Afro-Blue and Dartmouth Aires. That leaves The Collective and Vocal Point. The last safe group is Vocal Point, so The Collective will battle it out at the end of the show to not go home.

Urban Method, with a rapper in the group, might have an upper hand during hip-hop week. Their expectations are high, as they start out planning to sing "California Love" by 2Pac, but switch it at the end to "Airplanes" by B.O.B. featuring Hayley Williams. They made a proper change, as they nailed this song. Very good rapping and this was hip-hop through and through...loved it.

One of the groups that has been winning me over more and more as the weeks go on, Pentatonix, is up next. They will be singing "Love Lockdown" by Kanye West and worried about not having a rap in their song during hip-hop week, but will it hold them back? To me, it didn't hold them back at all. A great rendition of that song and it was so good...a brilliant performance.

Delilah, having faced the bottom two the past two weeks, has some pressure on them this week. They'll be singing "How To Love" by Lil Wayne. I think they did a good job and it was an alright performance, They all kind of took the lead at times, but in order to move on I think they needed to bring Amy back front and center like they did in week one.

The last group of the night is the YellowJackets, who had one of my favorite performances last week, will be singing "The Show Goes On" by Lupe Fiasco. The thing with these guys is they can work the stage. They know how to put on a show and can entertain so well. I loved this song and the rapping was good.

Now time to find out which of these four will be in the bottom two and battling it out against The Collective to last at least one more week. The first two group safe are: Pentatonix and Delilah. That leaves us with Urban Method and YellowJackets. Urban Method is safe, so YellowJackets will be battling it out with The Collective.

Again, both the groups will be singing "Just A Dream" by Nelly. The Collective goes first and they did a decent job. Good vocals and harmonies, but is it enough? YellowJackets come out and do a decent job as well. I feel there rendition was more laidback, which is shocking, and may not be good enough against The Collective.

It is time for the judges to say their decision. Shawn says he chose YellowJackets and Ben, of course, chose The Collective. Sara with the deciding vote and she chose YellowJackets, which I am shocked by...I thought The Collective was better, but I am not a judge. So, we say goodbye to The Collective tonight.

The Sing-Off airs Mondays at 8/7c on NBC.

(Image courtesy of NBC)

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