This article originally appeared in the Summer 2024 Champion Issue of Showstopper Magazine.
Boy bands have captured the hearts of fans for decades. From the Backstreet Boys and *NYSYNC to One Direction and BTS, the songs and styles may have evolved, but their essence remains unchanged. At the heart of their appeal lies a fusion of song and dance, a timeless formula that has resonated across generations. Pop Money is no exception.
In an exclusive interview with Showstopper Magazine, members of Pop Money—Cameron Wright, Connor Finnerty, Rahja Fuller, and AJ Raguindin—reveal the story behind their journey, how dancing at Showstopper Dance Competitions influenced their performance abilities, and what they hope to achieve together in the future.
Getting Their Start
Pop Money was orchestrated by visionary Nick Cannon, who created a constellation of talents from diverse backgrounds. As Cameron Wright reminisced, “When we first started, we were all doing our own thing. Some of us were dancing, some were acting and singing. Nick found us and put us all together.” Initially known as Ncredible Crazy Kids, the group later rebranded as “Pop Money,” a name chosen by their dedicated fan base.
When we first started, we were all doing our own thing. Nick found us and put us all together.
Cameron Wright
Finding Their Style
Describing their sound as a fusion of modern R&B and pop, Connor emphasized the collaborative strength within the group, stating, “We’re different because we each bring our own strengths to the table. Some of us are good at dancing/choreography, and together we bring all of these different skills to make one big supergroup!” And while those differences might have been a bit challenging to navigate at first, they’ve now become pivotal to the way they approach collaboration. “I think that the best part is that we have been in this band for so long now that we all now know each other’s strengths and weaknesses and we know how each of us work best,” Rahja expressed.
We have been in this band for so long now that we all now know each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and we know how each of us work best.
Rahja Fuller
Their versatility shines through in hits like “Another Dimension”—which found its way into the blockbuster Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse—and “Love More”—a single produced by Troy Taylor. “Troy is a literal legend,” Cameron shared. “It was so dope being in the same room as him and just seeing how he works.”
From Showstopper to Shows
Drawing from their extensive dance backgrounds, the members reflected on their formative years dancing and competing on the Showstopper stage. “Dance is something that I think we will always associate with our music,” Connor reflected. “It’s part of who Pop Money is. And competing at Showstopper was exhilarating. The atmosphere was electric, with so many talented dancers and performers coming together from all over. We learned a lot from [it]—how to handle nerves, deliver a polished performance under pressure, and most importantly, how to connect with the audience through our dance and music. The experience at Showstopper helped us refine our choreography and stage techniques, which we’ve carried over into our performances as a boy band. It was a valuable part of our journey, shaping us into the performers we are today.”
Experience at Showstopper helped us refine our choreography and stage techniques, which we’ve carried over into our performance as a boy band. It was a valuable part of our journey.
Connor Finnerty
Adding in Song
Dance has had a “profound impact on how [they] approach performing.” But adding in singing came with new challenges. “It was hard to nail it down, but I think it’s been a major key in our growth,” AJ revealed. “These challenges together as a team strengthened us as a group and taught us how important hard work and dedication are.”
Now, Pop Money seamlessly blends song and dance, balancing the two throughout each performance. “It’s about finding the right blend of singing and dancing within each performance,” AJ explained. “Sometimes the vocals take center stage, allowing us to showcase our vocal abilities, while at other times, the choreography becomes a focal point.”
Touring and Performing
The band got to really show off those refined performance skills on a national tour last year. “It was so sick to finally get to meet our fans in person and put on a show for them,” Rahja told us. Putting on performance at iconic venues like The Wiltern in Los Angeles and The Fillmore in Detroit, they hope it’s just the beginning. And while the sky’s the limit, they have a few goals in mind. Connor Finnerty’s dream stage? “The Grammys baby!” “We got to go to some Grammy parties this year and meet some of the nominees, and it was such a cool experience,” Connor said. As for AJ, he’d like to win a Moon Man at the VMAs. “I think it’s sick that the VMAs are fan-voted and I know our fans always have our back.”
Going from dance competitions to being in a boy band definitely had challenges.
AJ Raguindin
Uplifting Lyrics
For now though, they’re focusing on creating even more music to perform in hopes it will resonate with “people from all walks of life.” “We’re always evolving our sound and the messages,” Rahja divulged. “I think right now we really want to focus on uplifting our listeners. We wanna make songs that make you feel good.” So while they’re singing, dance, and performances are a large part of their foundation, their lyrics are what they’re hoping will really resonate with their fans and peers. “Ultimately, we aim to inspire the next generation of artists to embrace diversity, kindness, and authenticity in their craft,” Connor shared.
