I.L. - We Don’t Sleep

Today’s music industry is as crowded and unforgiving as it’s ever been, and aspiring artists unwilling to sacrifice their shut-eye to the Almighty Grind are doomed to be left in the dust. I.L., for one, isn’t about to let that happen—on newly-leaked mixtape cut We Don’t Sleep (the artist’s first Booth feature), the Cleveland up-and-comer explains that, when he’s on his grind, all-nighters (sometimes several in a row) are simply a fact of life. The “heart, soul, [and] passion” the emcee brings to his craft come through loud and clear in his feverish flow, and Philly beatsmith Fresh Prodeuce drives the point home with a relentlessly pounding, almost militaristic beat driven by double-time percussion, ominous strings, and spaghetti-Western horn accents. I.L. may be pushing himself to the limit, but his skills clearly haven’t suffered for his lack of beauty rest. Whether you share the artist’s insomniac tendencies or simply can’t function without those seven-to-eight hours a night, though, do yourself a favor and don’t sleep on the artist’s Don Cannon-presented Rocket Science mixtape, due out “soon.”

This song first appeared on the Independent Chart on August 24, 2009

Follow @djbooth

Listen to More: I.L. Written by richard

I.L. - We Don't Sleep

More From I.L.

Submit a Review and/or Rating

Member Reviews and Ratings

FEATURED ARTIST

Chuck Inglish

FEATURED ALBUM

M.I - Pushing Keyes

TOP 20 MUSIC CHARTS

Top 20 Hip-Hop Songs

Top 20 Rap Songs

Top 20 Club Hip Hop Songs

Top 10 Albums / Mixtapes

that1kid13 Tastemaker Total Ratings: 1642	Rating: that1kid13's Top Rated Songs the fast pace of this song is really nice. i do like the trumpet or whatever in the second verse. it really compliments the song. but the way it halted for the hook, shocked me. and the hook is just ok to me. 3.5 stars
	Posted on Aug 14, 2009

DJ Z DJ Booth Crew Total Ratings: 11676	Rating: DJ Z's Top Rated Songs There are certain songs where all the elements really "come together" in order to make the song enjoyable. Songs that, if tweaked slightly one way or the other, would simply be bad. This is one of those songs. The stars align with the production and the delivery and the cadence and the end result is just dope. Follow @DJBooth
	Posted on Aug 14, 2009

GStan10 Tastemaker Total Ratings: 1327	Rating: GStan10's Top Rated Songs Different song than what I was expecting, but the production was real nice and his flow grew on me throughout the song.
	Posted on Aug 14, 2009

Mr.Top Hat Tastemaker Total Ratings: 4267	Rating: Mr.Top Hat's Top Rated Songs The tempo of this song is what really got to me that fits well with I.L.’s lyrics and the message he’s saying within his rhymes ... I.L does good flow-wise, thrown against a lush, bouncy composition, and he rides it well .... Rotation. "Sleep is the cousin of death" - Nas
	Posted on Aug 14, 2009

Shamir. Tastemaker Total Ratings: 608	Rating: Shamir.'s Top Rated Songs i really thought the artist's name was t.i. for a second. dang i must be really sleepy lol. anyway's the beat is epic and dude did what he had to do. Nice track.
	Posted on Aug 14, 2009

hilaryscot DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 2	Rating: hilaryscot's Top Rated Songs this song is hot, I.L. is going to be the next big rapper to hit the streets!
	Posted on Aug 14, 2009

toya1982 DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 2	Rating: toya1982's Top Rated Songs I love it! this song is hot...
	Posted on Aug 14, 2009

XT Tastemaker Total Ratings: 365	Rating: XT's Top Rated Songs he spits FIRE wow...i love the production too sounds like a marching band...
	Posted on Aug 14, 2009

FILMDUDE DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 2	Rating: FILMDUDE's Top Rated Songs DAM! THIS NIGGA IT ABOUT TO BLOW REAL TALK CAN'T WAIT FOR HIS MIX TAPE
	Posted on Aug 14, 2009

HIPHOP_MAJOR	Rating: HIPHOP_MAJOR's Top Rated Songs
	Posted on Aug 15, 2009

ILIVEHIPHOP DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 1	Rating: ILIVEHIPHOP's Top Rated Songs THIS SONG IS A CLASSIC AND SHOULD BE THE MUSIC INDUSTRYS THEME SONG. I.L. IS DOPE, HE SPEAKS THE TRUTH. THESE LABELS ARE SLEEPING ON HIM.
	Posted on Aug 15, 2009

hiphopmajor DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 1	Rating: hiphopmajor's Top Rated Songs I.L. IS THE TRUTH, ONE OF THE BEST EMCEES HANDS DOWN HE IS GOING TO GO DOWN IN HISTORY AND CHANGE THE GAME. I LOVE THIS SONG IT IS INSPIRING...I.L.'S #1 FAN
	Posted on Aug 15, 2009

MUSICALGENIUS DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 1	Rating: MUSICALGENIUS's Top Rated Songs That song is bannannas, I have heard a lot of shit this summer by niggas thats signed that ain't got shit on this. I.L. NEXT UP cuz the nigga don't sleep, get to the money. I feel that shit.
	Posted on Aug 15, 2009

getatme DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 1	Rating: getatme's Top Rated Songs Man I aint been feeling this hip hop shit in a minute but it looks like this nigga here gon change my mind. Dope ass song
	Posted on Aug 15, 2009

SEXYG DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 1	SEXYG's Top Rated Songs My friends have been talking about this dude. He is the one that made that song @*#$! I'm A Celebrity. The clubs in Cleveland go crazy when that shit play. I can't wait til he go on tour. Bring me back stage I.L. BTW the song is whatsup!
	Posted on Aug 15, 2009

iflow DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 1	Rating: iflow's Top Rated Songs This song is crazy, all I can say is that I'm new to this cat but I @*#$! wit him! HE GOT HEART SOUL PASSION IN THE ACTION...
	Posted on Aug 15, 2009

MrWildside DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 1	Rating: MrWildside's Top Rated Songs The beat is something crazy different shit and his flow go hard, the message is timeless...Wow this nigga gon blow dawg
	Posted on Aug 15, 2009

Clevelandsfinestchic DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 1	Rating: Clevelandsfinestchic's Top Rated Songs If yall think this shit hard go to http://www.myspace.com/fo5musicgroup and listen to BITHCH I'M A CELEBRITY. That song is fiyahhh!
	Posted on Aug 15, 2009

Eatgood DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 1	Rating: Eatgood's Top Rated Songs I grind all night cuz my shorty gon eat no matter what. I get paid my nigga and this joint here gon keep me on my shit. Somebody sign this cat please he what the game been missin. 8mile
	Posted on Aug 15, 2009

lovecasey DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 1	Rating: lovecasey's Top Rated Songs The music is hot and he is even hotter. Does anybody know when he is coming to Cali cuz he is a babe...lol
	Posted on Aug 15, 2009

Midwestflava DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 1	Rating: Midwestflava's Top Rated Songs Real talk i @*#$! with that anotha day up the way part 1 and 2 mixtape he got. So when I saw him on here I had to show this nigga love...Keep doing what you do the game need you
	Posted on Aug 15, 2009

1badbitch DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 1	Rating: 1badbitch's Top Rated Songs I'M FROM THE 216 CLEVELAND AND I.L. GON PUT CLEVELAND BACK ON THE MAP UNLIKE KID CUDI OR RAY CASH. HE THE NEXT BEST NIGGA SINCE BONE TO COME OUT OF THE LAND. I.L. I.L. I.L. I.L. I.L.I.L.I.L.I.L.I.L.I.L.I.L.I.L.I.L.I.L.I.L.I.L.I.L.I.L.I.L.I.L.I.L.I.L.I.L.I.L.I.L.I.L.I.L.I.L.I.L.I.L.I.L.I.
	Posted on Aug 15, 2009

SUTHERNGIRL DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 1	Rating: SUTHERNGIRL's Top Rated Songs I'm feeling him cuz he look like a real dude that you would meet from yo hood he ain't doin too much like some of them other rappers. The music got meaning too so my brother and his people @*#$! wit thats how I got hip
	Posted on Aug 15, 2009

HIPHOPDEAD DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 1	Rating: HIPHOPDEAD's Top Rated Songs Yo this real talk son, this cat got mad talent man I want to hear him freestyle some shit tho. Probably be nice ass @*#$!
	Posted on Aug 15, 2009