Who will perform at iHeart’s Jingle Ball Village, get mentored by Grammy Winners and Win $10,000? You decide!
PepeTheMenace
Must be in the top 15 in their group to advance to the next round.
Voting for this round ends on October 29, 2026 at 10:00 PM EDT
About PepeTheMenace
PepeTheMenace is a Toronto-area pop-punk artist bringing the raw energy and nostalgia of the 2000s into a new era. A natural performer and storyteller, he’s built a devoted community through authenticity, personality and an undeniable love for music.
Performances & Content from PepeTheMenace
WAR - Music Video
VALIDATION - Music Video
DRIFT AWAY
BSMT 254 Live - PepeTheMenace
Learn More About PepeTheMenace
What makes you the Next Music Star?
I think what makes me the Next Music Star is that I’m building something that actually feels like me. I’m not trying to copy whatever sound or image is popular right now. I make music based on my own experiences, experiment with different sounds, and try to grow with every song I put out. Seeing people connect with something I created has made me want to take this as far as I possibly can. I know I still have a lot of room to grow, but that honestly excites me. I want to build a career where people can discover me now and still be listening years from now.
What do you love about music and performing?
I love that music can take something really personal and turn it into something other people relate to in their own way. I can write a song about something happening in my life, and someone listening can hear that same song and connect it to a completely different experience. Performing makes that connection even better because I actually get to see it happen. Hearing people sing along to something I wrote is still crazy to me. Those moments remind me why I make music in the first place and make me want to keep creating, improving, and getting on more stages.
Who are your biggest music inspirations and dream collaborators?
My biggest inspirations are artists who aren’t afraid to evolve and try new things while still sounding like themselves. I really respect artists who can be honest in their writing, make great music, and build a real connection with the people listening. I pull inspiration from a lot of different genres and artists rather than trying to model myself after one person. For dream collaborations, I’d love to work with artists and producers who bring something completely different to the table. I think some of the best songs happen when two people with different styles get together and make something neither of them would have made alone.
What would you do with the $10,000 Grand Prize?
I’d put the money right back into my music. Being independent means pretty much everything comes out of pocket, from recording and production to mixing, mastering, visuals, content, marketing, and performing. $10,000 would give me the opportunity to make bigger moves without cutting corners or having to wait as long between ideas. I’d use it to finish and release more music, create better visuals around those releases, and put myself in front of more people. I wouldn’t really look at it as money I won. I’d look at it as a chance to invest in myself and see how far I can take this.
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Participation supports Musicians On Call, a 501(c)(3) charity, which brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients, families and caregivers in healthcare environments.
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