Exclusive: Stream LTtheMonk’s New Curated Spotify Playlist Feat. Songs That Inspired His New Single “Pepsi Challenge”

By: Staff –

To celebrate the release of LTtheMonk’s new single “Pepsi Challenge”, the emerging pop-rap artist curated a brand new Spotify playlist featuring songs that inspired the track. Stream it below!

“When I’m writing a song about a specific topic, I like to dive back into songs that I love that share that topic,” said LTtheMonk. “And in the case of ‘Pepsi Challenge’, it was some of my favourite love songs. Here are 11 songs that inspired my latest single, songs that keep you grooving while the artists talk about love, relationships and romance.”

G-Unit – “Wanna Get To Know You”

When I first heard the ‘Pepsi Challenge’ instrumental (produced by J-Track of Harlem, New York), it immediately reminded me of early 2000s, smooth guitar riff-based hip-hop, which featured a lot of R&B influences, and had rappers trying to be more romantic when talking about love. This song is a perfect example of that, and I wanted to capture its essence with my verses, and melodic chorus. 

Teedra Moses, & Kaytranada – “Be Your Girl (Kaytranada Edition)”

Kaytranada is an artist I dream of working with, mixing dance music with hip-hop and pop, and his songs will always inspire me when I’m creating. And specifically on this song I love how Teedra Moses spoke about the pursuit of love, which I wanted to channel when talking about pursuing a partner that you could be in a power couple with. 

Isaiah Rashad – “Score”

Isaiah Rashad is a rapper that mixes melody with his deeper lyrics so well, something I also wanted to do with the single. I wanted to write something that had a lot of depth, that you would also be able to sing along with, and Isaiah provided great inspiration for that.

Kaytranada, & Syd – “You’re The One”

Again, Kaytranada is someone who I love, someone who always brings the flawless grooves, and Syd flowed so effortlessly over his production for this song. Her voice is soft yet powerful, and I wanted my chorus vocals to sit like that as well. Soft as in effortless, but also getting the passion of the love story across.

Dabeull, & Jordan Lee – “Don’t Forget It”

Dabeull is a phenomenal artist out of Paris, France, another producer I dream of working with, and creating a beautiful funk and hip-hop mix that you can dance to. This song feels timeless in its production and description of romantic attraction, and with my story also being about the timelessness of love, I had to listen to this for inspiration.

Maxwell – “Ascension (Don’t Ever Wonder)”

This song brings back so many memories from times in my life, and when I’m writing I try to go as deep into my past, and into my inner voice, as I can, to bring about what I really want to say in my music. So listening to this song gave me everything I wanted to say in the ‘Pepsi Challenge’ lyrics.

Michael Jackson – “P.Y.T (Pretty Young Thing)”

Similarly to Maxwell’s song above, P.Y.T is a song I’ve loved throughout my life, and what better song to listen to when you want to express the joy of the pursuit of love in a song?!

Big Daddy Kane – “Sex According To The Prince Of Darkness”

If you listen to the final lines of the chant at the end of the song, the crowd gives a very dated, 1990s view of sex. I played off of this for the lyrics in the ‘Pepsi Challenge’ bridge, how we take the challenge the whole way in 2023.

Jodeci – “Gotta Love”

Jodeci’s Uptown Records, New Jack Swing sound heavily inspired the whole sound and concept of my upcoming album (due later this year), and listening to this song gives me a bounce and energy that I really wanted to bring through in the single. 

Michael Jackson – “Rock With You”

Another classic that I’ve loved throughout my life, a song that always helps get me in the mood for life, to experience everything I can, and make the best music that I am able to.

Marvin Gaye – “After The Dance”

Marvin Gaye stacked his vocals so beautifully, and this song really inspired how I tried to do that with my own vocals, and the backing vocals from my friend Kiara Taylor, the amazing voice that you hear supporting me through the song.