Freshman Keith “Kash” Smith Balances Spotlight on ‘America’s Got Talent’ With Starting College
Keith “Kash” Smith, a freshman at Ƶ, is proving that balancing college life with the national spotlight is possible. Smith, who recently began pursuing a Music Business degree at Columbia, is competing in NBC’s hit series “America’s Got Talent” as a member of Chicago’s Leo High School Choir. The fan-favorite group has advanced to the semifinals, with their next live performance set for Tuesday, Sept. 16.
And Smith is handling it all, not with fear or anxiety, but with excitement, confidence, gratitude, and unabashed ambition.
“I don’t even really get nervous, I just feel blessed,” Smith says. “When God gives you a gift, you have to put it to use. I love being able to share my talent in front of thousands of people and millions watching at home.”
From Chicago to the National Stage
The choir was invited to the show after a local news video of their performance went viral, catching the attention of “America’s Got Talent” producers. Their — featuring Smith on lead vocals — earned them a place in the hearts of audiences and the semifinals, where the choir will once again perform live for a nationwide audience.
“It’s always something I dreamed of—being on a big stage and showcasing my talent at a young age,” Smith says.
Talent Benefits From Business Savvy
Love of music came to Smith early, encouraged by family to take guitar and drum lessons and join choirs and inspired by Michael Jackson to hone both his musicianship and his business savvy.
At Leo High School, Smith was already a songwriter, with his original songs streaming on platforms like Apple Music and scoring tens of thousands of plays. He has even had his music played on WPWX Power 92 Chicago, a local radio station. But to secure long-term success, Smith knows a Music Business degree from Columbia’s School of Business and Entrepreneurship is key.
“Although I make a lot of good music, I know the business side is the more powerful side. I want to make sure I’m good on all aspects — creating the music and protecting it.”
While he’s only beginning at Columbia, Smith already feels like he’s found the perfect place to grow his talent and build his business acumen.
“I can tell this is a place where I can be myself and express myself freely,” Smith says. “I see Columbia as a place where people dream big and aren’t afraid to chase their dreams. That’s exactly what I stand for.”
What’s Next With ‘America’s Got Talent’
With the support of the Columbia community, Smith has returned to LA to prepare for the choir’s performance on Sept. 16, during which viewers can vote for their favorite acts.
Before taking the stage, the choir will work with the “America’s Got Talent” team to prepare a performance for another live audience and millions of viewers at home. This will include practice sessions dedicated to vocals as well as choreography.
The choir will appear again the following night to find out if they will continue to the finals or end their magical journey.
Through it all, Smith plans to work incredibly hard, practicing with his choir while also juggling homework and class projects.
“Music is my passion. Any time I find time for it, I put my all into it,” he says. “I want to be one of the greatest singers, greatest performers to ever touch a mic — and I believe if you put in the work, there’s nothing you can’t do.”
Tune in to NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” on Tuesday, Sept. 16, to watch Smith perform with the Leo High School Choir and cast your vote to support one of Ƶ’s rising stars.
You can vote two ways: online or via mobile app. Go to NBC.com/AGTVote to register on your browser, or download either the or to your phone. You will need to register with an email address, which will let you vote for your favorite Act up to 10 times.
Voting opens at 7 p.m. CST on Tuesdays, when the Live Show starts, and ends at 6 a.m. CST on Wednesday morning.
UPDATE: Leo High School Choir Going to the Finals!
Keith "Kash" Smith and the choir will be going to the "America's Got Talent" finals! On Tuesday, September 23, the Finalist Acts compete one last time. Voting opens at 6 p.m. ET to give everyone extra time to weigh in on who deserves the grand prize the most. The next night, September 24, we find out who wins "America's Got Talent" Season 20.
You can vote two ways: online or via mobile app. Go to NBC.com/AGTVote to register on your browser, or download either the or to your phone. You will need to register with an email address, which will let you vote for your favorite Act up to 10 times.