University Park, PA – Sophomore Danny Vitale has left an indelible mark on Penn State, not only as a student but also as a burgeoning musician and content creator. In early August, Vitale unveiled his latest single, aptly titled “Penn State,” paying homage to the vibrant Happy Valley atmosphere cherished by students and alumni alike.
Vitale’s passion for entertainment and creativity has been evident since his formative years. He delved into the world of content creation, crafting humorous short videos on platforms like Musical.ly and experimenting with music during his middle school years. His journey as a performer and content creator has been characterized by steady growth and development.
Reflecting on his early days, Vitale fondly recalls, “I remember making videos with my sister’s dolls back in fourth grade, as little birthday videos for her. I would always perform for my family when I was little.”
Music has been an integral part of Vitale’s life, manifesting itself in various forms. Even while pursuing his college education, he remains committed to honing his musical talents.
“I’ve always loved music,” Vitale shares. “I played the saxophone, guitar, and drums. When I was a little kid, my dad taught me how to play drums. I just recently started picking up the guitar again, but I began learning it in middle school. Music initially started as a lighthearted endeavor, with me creating diss tracks for fun, but it gradually evolved into something more serious.”
During his middle school years, Vitale recorded amusing diss tracks, which he shared on YouTube. Notably, he composed one targeting the internet sensation Miranda Sings. As his involvement in music deepened, he embarked on a more professional path, culminating in his debut single, ” $tay Young,” produced in collaboration with a local musician from his hometown.
Throughout high school, while pursuing music, Vitale continued to create amusing videos and diss tracks on various digital platforms. When the time came to make a pivotal decision regarding his college education, Vitale ultimately chose Penn State, where he is currently pursuing degrees in broadcast journalism and advertising.
“I was drawn to the abundant opportunities offered by this university,” Vitale explains. “I find it fascinating how you can have a gathering of 500 people right here, and then, just a short distance away, there’s another entirely new group of 500.”
With nearly two semesters of college life under his belt, Vitale decided to take a bold step by participating in a competition hosted by The Kid LAROI. The contest required participants to create a remix or additional verse for one of LAROI’s songs. The winner would earn the coveted opportunity to perform on stage at the Bryce Jordan Center before The Kid LAROI’s concert.
Vitale embarked on a relentless promotional campaign, reaching out to people he had never interacted with before, asking them to vote for him, and even distributing QR codes for easy access to the voting process. He dedicated himself to creating and posting videos daily, each accompanied by a new song, leading up to the concert. The entire month of March saw Vitale tirelessly crafting content, fueled by the hope of a breakthrough.
As the concert date drew nearer, doubts about the legitimacy of the competition crossed Vitale’s mind. However, his uncertainties were laid to rest when he received confirmation from The Kid LAROI’s team, confirming his victory.
On the night of the concert, Vitale had the extraordinary privilege of meeting The Kid LAROI before making his inaugural stage appearance, a momentous occasion that bolstered his confidence.
“I was so immersed in the performance that, at one point, I felt like I was in a trance,” Vitale recounts. “I could see the people in the audience, but it was as if they were placeholders rather than individuals with feelings and opinions. I didn’t feel like I was being judged. I just thought of them as placeholders. My mind was swirling with emotions, but I went for it. At the end of my performance, I delivered a motivational speech, and my parents couldn’t decide whether I enjoyed the performance more or the speech afterward, because I relished both immensely.”
As the semester neared its conclusion, Vitale found himself penning lyrics in his dorm room. Eventually, he recorded “Penn State,” a song that he shared on TikTok during the summer.
Vitale explains the inspiration behind the song, saying, “I noticed that there were songs about various colleges, such as ‘UCLA’ by RL Grime. However, I realized that there was no song dedicated to Penn State, which struck me as peculiar. Why had no one seized this opportunity?”
Vitale viewed this realization as a chance to encapsulate the Penn State experience in a manner that would resonate with his listeners.
“I wanted the beat to exude happiness and energy while remaining incredibly catchy,” Vitale says. “My objective was to create a song suitable for playing at fraternities, parties, and concerts, featuring a straightforward chorus akin to ‘UCLA.’ I aimed to craft a song that people could sing along to, even in a state of inebriation, without needing to ponder the lyrics.”
While Vitale did face criticism concerning his lyrical choices and the song’s quality, he remains undeterred, continuing to produce content and promote his music with unwavering dedication.
Vitale designed the song’s simplicity intentionally, envisioning it as a tune that could unite people at parties and social gatherings. “Penn State” offered Vitale a platform to convey his sentiments about the university and the vibrant community that surrounds it.
Since its release, “Penn State” has garnered over 3,000 listeners on Spotify and has enjoyed extensive use on TikTok, with numerous accounts featuring his song. Vitale maintains a consistent online presence, sharing content related to his music and his life as a Penn State student.
“At the end of the day, I’ve realized that I’m happiest when I can make someone else smile and laugh,” Vitale concludes. “I derive joy from making people feel included and valued.”
