Have you ever heard a song and flipped out wanting to know the artist and the song name? Hoping that you’ll remember it long enough so you can go home and download it as soon as you can ? Well, thats what it’s like for almost all people who have heard of Crystal Seth, and even myself.

Once a freshman at Pennsylvania State University Altoona campus I heard a cover to Airplanes by B.O.B at a frat party. I remember clearly everyone whispering in excitement who is this? And then followed that you heard  “He’s goes here?!”

Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Penn., Seth Goldsmith (Crystal Seth) has been attending Pennsylvania State University since May 2009, and is now a junior at the main campus. The 20 year old still juggles his career in music while focusing on school. With three mixtapes out and over 80,000 views currently on his YouTube channel, Crystal Seth is anything but a amateur.

His most recent mixtape “Self Portrait” already has more than 700 downloads, and two music videos to go along with it. His mixtapes and songs are popular for everyone and anyone in any mood, or any place. parties, loudly in your car, or while doing homework in your dorm room, Crystal Seth is a college student’s new favorite artist from Pennsylvania State University all the way to the University of Massachusetts.

How did you first start getting into rapping?

I started rapping when I was 15. I was friends with Mac Miller and my friend’s older brother is [an] established Pittsburgh artist: Beedie. I spent more time with them and it became all the more clear to me that hip-hop was something I was interested in pursuing. I didn’t always think that I would be as indulged in it as I am now I just did it for fun. People along the way that have listened to me are the ones that have pushed me to take this more seriously, like my manager Eric Caplan.

Has the college experienced helped your career?

College has definitely helped me network my music locations that I wouldn’t be able to access being a resident of Pittsburgh, though I’d say the majority of my fan base still falls within the city of steel.

How do you balance school and music?

To be honest it is really difficult to balance school and music. For instance I achieved a 3.4 GPA the 1st semester of my sophomore year, in the second semester I was preparing for my debut mixtape ”Self Portrait” and with driving to New Jersey every weekend to record you struggle to stay organized and I definitely wasn’t on a good sleep schedule. Needless to say my GPA declined a little bit but nothing too serious, I was able to stay on top of my work load for the most part.

Where do you get inspiration for your lyrics?

I get inspiration for my lyrics from my life, where the creativity comes in isn’t just talking straight forward, you have to make your situation seem foreign to people but you also want them to relate to it. I’m also very inspired by other artists; listening to certain people may give me an idea or enlighten me to want to go and tackle something new. Whether it be lyrics, flow or song structure. I’m a big fan of the Pittsburgh hip hop scene; I listen to a lot of burgh music. I would advise any artist or even a fan to stay up on your local music, ignoring what your city has to say is like rooting for the away team.

Where do you see your career a year from now?

It’s hard to say where my career will be in a year, the hip-hop industry is so difficult to break into. I have a little buzz rolling right now and I’m hoping that it will continue to grow. I can, however, say with confidence that I will keep growing as a writer and as an artist. I’ve learned so much by just doing it, putting in the time and effort in music is the only way to grow. I plan to continue doing so, and the difference in my music since last year is like night and day; I believe it’ll be like that a year from now as well.

How would you describe your career right now?

My career now is fantastic. I think regardless of where this will take me I’ll always remember this period of my life. I’m hungry you know? I love making music, I love grinding and achieving new milestones. The team that I have is the best thing ever, we’re all very close and work well together. In terms of accomplishments I’d say opening for Wiz Khalifa, getting shows period and collaborating with some artists that I’ve known of since I was like 14. I’ve worked with people who have done tracks with Max B,  Mac Miller, and Juicy J. Not a lot of people can say that.

What’s your major? Are you going to continue with school as your career furthers?

I’m definitely going to stay in school, I’m a telecommunications major and my minor is music management. After I graduate I’m going to go to a school where I’ll be a credited music engineer after a six-month intensive in studio program, that’s sort of like my grad school.

Is there any advice you would give to artists that are trying to get their voice heard?

My advice to anyone trying to get music heard is don’t rush. Perfect your work, find your niche before you release something… be yourself or you will be laughed at. So focus on the music, with the Internet as its main supplier (mostly free) music gets consumed so quickly that if you put out a good project it won’t get overlooked, and if it does, you’ll know it, and that means you aren’t ready yet.

I still believe I’m not ready to blow up yet, I still have too much to learn. It’s a long process, it’s like sports, there’s a lot of good ball players in college, but if you aren’t a freak of nature and you can’t separate yourself from the next man, you wont make it.

If you havent heard of any of his music, you will soon. Crystal Seth’s talent is something worthwhile to look out for. You can download Seth’s music off of his facebook fan page ..www.facebook.com/CrystalSethAddicts or on youtube at www.youtube.com/crystalseth412.

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About the author

Jacqueline Ursula Seith

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