Never Sleep

"Never Sleep" is a song by Canadian rapper Nav and American rapper Lil Baby featuring fellow American rapper Travis Scott, released on July 29, 2022 as the lead single on the former's fourth studio album, Demons Protected by Angels. The song was written by the artists alongside producers Tay Keith, Grayson, and Mike Dean.^[1]

"Never Sleep"
Single by Nav and Lil Baby featuring Travis Scott
from the album Demons Protected by Angels
Released	July 29, 2022
Recorded	May 2022
Length	3:05
Label	XO Republic
Songwriter(s)	Navraj Goraya Dominique Jones Jacques Webster II Brytavious Chambers Grayson Serio Mike Dean
Producer(s)	Tay Keith Grayson Mike Dean
Nav singles chronology
"Do Not Disturb" (2022) "Never Sleep" (2022) "Wrong Decisions" (2022)
Lil Baby singles chronology
"All Dz Chainz" (2022) "Never Sleep" (2022) "Staying Alive" (2022)
Travis Scott singles chronology
"Hold That Heat" (2022) "Never Sleep" (2022) "Down in Atlanta" (2022)
Music video
"Never Sleep" on YouTube

Background

In an interview with Complex, Nav stated that he began as a producer and engineer when composing the song, and that it was recorded two months before it was released. In that interview, he also revealed that he was so focused on mixing the album Demons Protected by Angels that he forgot to announce the song, until his assistant angrily reminded him.^[2] Nav teased the song on July 25, 2022, before releasing it on July 29.^[3]

Composition

The song finds the three rappers describing their increasing income and rich lifestyles, using "colorful" metaphors that highlight them.^[4][5]

Music video

The official music video was released on September 13, 2022, along with the music video of Nav and Don Toliver's song "One Time". Directed by Evan Larsen, it finds the three artists in a Las Vegas casino. While performing his portion, Travis Scott appears on the backs of pennies from a slot machine, on a jumbotron and playing cards. Nav becomes small in size and raps atop a card table with poker chips scattered around him, while Lil Baby, also shrunk down in size, raps on top of a stack of chips. The clip also features a cameo from fellow Canadian singer and XO label boss The Weeknd, who is seen laughing with Nav as they play blackjack.^[6][7]

Charts

Weekly chart performance for "Never Sleep"

Chart (2022)	Peak position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)^[8]	23
Global 200 (Billboard)^[9]	71
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)^[10]	7
South Africa (RISA)^[11]	87
UK Singles (OCC)^[12]	95
US Billboard Hot 100^[13]	50
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)^[14]	19

Certifications

Certifications for "Never Sleep"

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)^[15]	Gold	40,000^‡
^‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

1. Strauss, Matthew (July 29, 2022). "Nav Taps Lil Baby and Travis Scott for New Song "Never Sleep": Listen". Pitchfork.
2. Blanchet, Brenton (July 29, 2022). "Nav, Before the Storm". Complex.
3. A., Aron (July 25, 2022). "Nav Teases New Collaboration With Travis Scott & Lil Baby". HotNewHipHop.
4. Williams, Aaron (July 29, 2022). "Nav, Lil Baby, And Travis Scott Stay Up All Night To Grind On 'Never Sleep'". Uproxx.
5. Cho, Regina (July 29, 2022). "Nav enlists Lil Baby and Travis Scott for new "Never Sleep" single". Revolt.
6. Sadler, Armon (September 14, 2022). "Nav Goes Back To Back With New Videos For 'One Time' And 'Never Sleep'". Uproxx. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
7. Nevares, Gabriel Bras (September 15, 2022). "NAV Drops Music Video For "Never Sleep" With Travis Scott & Lil Baby". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
8. "Nav Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
9. "Nav Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
10. "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. August 8, 2022. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
11. "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 100 Week 31-2022". The Official South African Charts. Recording Industry of South Africa. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
12. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
13. "Nav Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
14. "Nav Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
15. "Canadian single certifications – Nav – Never Sleep". Music Canada. Retrieved February 19, 2023.