PREMIERE: LTtheMonk - 10 Questions + Everybody Wants Some (Official Video)
‘Everybody Wants Some’ is the first single from forthcoming album ‘On The Wall’ (out August 20, 2021 on Sonic Unyon Records), by LTtheMonk.
With a name that announces his meditative dedication to craft, LTtheMonk describes himself as 'London Made, East-Coast Trained', a tribute to both his home city and the New York MCs who inspired him.
Originally from London, UK, LTtheMonk first fell in love with hip-hop at just eight years old, when the music captivated his young ears and ignited what would become a lifelong passion. Blended with constant exposure to reggae (via his Jamaican mother) and rock (via his Irish father), LT’s adventurous love of music and performing onstage would only grow stronger.
LTtheMonk sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:
1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?
It all began in London, with my love of music sparked by my Jamaican Mum and my Irish Dad. My Mum's love of reggae and my Dad's love of rock had them always playing music in the house and in the car, which really gave me an interest in music and in wanting to be a musician. Yet it wasn't until I discovered Michael Jackson when I was 7 that I would say I really fell in love with music, and then at age 8 when I discovered hip-hop that I fell in love with rapping, and hip-hop as a genre and culture.
2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?
My influences come from a few different places because there's a lot of things I try to incorporate in my music; lyrically, because I really value wordplay, I'm heavily influenced by rappers like Jay-Z and Eminem, but because I'm also a dancer and want to make music that has a great groove, I'm influenced a lot by Michael and Janet Jackson, as well as Prince & Jodeci. And my whole identity as a musician is always influenced by A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul! And in the future, it's specifically producers that I think about wanting to work with, like Kaytranada, The Stereotypes, and Mark Ronson.
3. What are some of the problems you have faced making and releasing the music during the coronavirus pandemic?
Delays have been the main problem in making and releasing the music during the pandemic; all of our original plans for recording sessions for the new album had to be pushed back months because studios weren't open, which meant that the release schedule had to be pushed back months, now to a point where I just can't wait to finally get everything out into the world!
4. How would you describe your sound?
I would describe my sound as lyrics that make you think, over instrumentals that make you move. As I said I'm a dancer as well, so while on this new album I cover a lot of sounds, a mix of modern and more traditional hip-hop, with influences from other genres as well, my main description of my sound would be that, wanting to make music that lyrically makes you think, and instrumentally makes you dance.
5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?
Being signed to my management team and record label Sonic Unyon was really a proud moment in 2019, because it showed that I'd been working hard enough performing and releasing music to find people that wanted to work with me, to make me a successful artist in music. But I think my proudest moments are when I'm in the studio and I rap something that makes the producers and everybody in the room say 'Wow that was dope', or when I come off stage after a show and people really show love for the performance that I've just done. Those are the most amazing moments.
6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?
I would say if you have the ability to be great, to make quality music and really affect people, then just don't give up! As long as you don't quit you're still in the game, so as long as you have the ability, the work rate and the persistence, then have faith that success will come!
7. Are there any artists on your radar at the moment that we should check out?
The great music that my friends in the UK and Canada are making is always on my radar, whether it's ROYOS, BRLY or Le3 bLACK in the UK, or my brothers Smoothie Lou & Buunkin in Canada, I would definitely recommend their music.
8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?
Currently it's a good mix! I'm really enjoying going back through the Wu-Tang Clan's early series of albums, '36 Chambers' and then ODB, GZA, Raekwon & Ghostface Killah's early work, as well as Mos Def & Talib Kweli's Black Star project. And then Anderson Paak.'s 'Malibu' is in heavy rotation, as well as Michael Jackson's 'Off The Wall', Anita Baker's 'Rapture', and Marvin Gaye's 'I Want You'.
9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?
I love playing football, and watching football, basketball and American Football all the time, and I love throwing on a good album and cooking a big meal!
10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?
Tea, whatever inspirational playlist I make for the music that I'm making at the time, and great instrumentals!
Thanks so much for wanting to interview me and to feature my new music, I truly appreciate it!
‘Everybody Wants Some’ is out now on all streaming platforms.
You can keep up to date with LTtheMonk via his Social Media:
ALBUM PRE-ORDER: https://orcd.co/ltthemonk