I think we all know that the University of Cincinnati, along with the city, itself, is chalk-full of incredibly talented people, but this time, I would like to focus on two specific people who really deserve some good publicity.

Their names are Zach Smith and Grace Aufderbeck

Zach is a sophomore at UC and hot-damn, he is so freakin' talented. This kid is 19 years old and he just released his first album. Yeah, you read that right. Album. Kinda makes it re-think all your life decisions, doesn't it? Zach is a rapper and hip-hop artist and he's absolutely amazing.

He became serious about music during his junior year at Oak Hills High School and got a couple of his classmates together to experiment with sounds and beats in their school's recording studio (The fact that their school has a recording studio makes me insanely jealous and I don't wanna talk about it). Initially, he was pretty shy about letting others hear his work, but when he released his first remix ("Bang Them Sticks", by Meghan Trainer), he got an insane amount of amazing feedback.

He released his first album, "Double Sided Tape", just a few weeks ago and I swear it only gets cooler from here.

While working on his album, he wanted to expand his ideas, and from it- the birth of "New Class music".

"While I was working on the album, I actually started to form another sort of Rap group simultaneously. Instead of a rap group, though, it ended up turning into more of a promotional service with a website, a logo and a real purpose", Zach mentioned in our impromptu interview/introduction.

I mean, I'm not jealous or anything.

A friend introduced me to the album, and honestly, I had no interest in listening- but she was insistent. Being good friends with Zach, she wanted to promote his new-found fame and I was trying to be supportive and whatever. You see, I'm just not a fan of rap music, but she was already pressing play by the time she started the car so there was really nothing I could do.

Zach's song "Make her Move" made it's way through the car's speakers and I had never been so impressed. Forget what you know about rap music, this guy changes everything. He collaborates with artists like B. Wood, Willis, and MitchWilly and every song is as incredible as the one before it.

He dreams of making New Class Music an all-out record label where every kind of artist can make any kind of music and I genuinely think he'll get there.

Check out his music on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify and Google Play Music, you won't be disappointed.

Next up is Grace.

This chick has one of the most beautiful voices I have ever heard. Just when the acoustics in my shower make me think I can sing, she changes my mind and brings me back to my tone-deaf reality.

While at her summer job at Coney Island, she came upon a contest. The premise was to send in a video of yourself singing a specific song and the winner could duet with Keith Urban when he visited the park.

Spoiler Alert: She won.

I know. Deep breaths, friends.

She sang with Kieth Urban like the bad-ass she is and nailed it. A couple days later, she gets a call. The producers from American Idol just wanted to say "hi" and mention that Urban wanted her to come audition for the show.

So, you know. She did.

She sang "Blown Away" by none other than Carrie Underwood, and "We Were Us", the same song she sang with Urban. She got a "yes" from Urban and Harry Connick Jr., but a "no" from Lopez. No matter, though. She was going to HOLLYWOOD.

Dear, God. I get goosebumps just typing it.

Unfortunately, she never got the chance to move on. But, in all honesty, there aren't many people who can say they were asked to audition for American Idol.

Grace now lives in Tennessee as an aspiring country music star, but travels back to Cincinnati often. She is one of three triplets (as if she wasn't cool enough). One of her sisters loved the music just as much as Grace did, so they started the adorable country duo, "Two Thirds", because, well, they're two of the tree triplets. Adorable, I know. I'm barely holding it together.

What's worse, you ask? They came up with the name when they were 12 years old.

12 years old.

I wasn't even sure what foods I liked when I was 12 and they were off molding their future.

Whenever I think about Grace, I'm blown away. The amount of courage and determination she has is forever inspiring. I watch the video of Grace singing with Keith Urban (the video is below. Watch with caution. You'll probably cry), living her dream in front of thousands, and I'm overcome with pride for someone I've never even met. (Hi, Gracie!) The same friend who introduced me to Zach, also introduced me to Grace. She just knows a lot of really cool people, I guess.

I'm honored to know this girl, even if it's just through a friend, and I sincerely hope (and kind of know) everything will turn out for her. She is absolutely incredible and deserves all of her biggest dreams.

Oh! And one more thing. Zach and Grace? They're dating.

Yep.

Talk about a power couple.

They went to high school together and I guess it was just written in the stars (or sparklers). Grace even sang with Zach on his song "Cinematic" and is featured on his album under the stage name, "Gracie Carol".

I'll leave you with that because the cuteness is just too much. If you see these guys around, you just saw two of the coolest people in Cincinnati.