It was 2003. Shady Records was basically the center of the universe. If you were a hip-hop fan back then, you remember the tension. It wasn't just music; it felt like a war. And in the middle of all that chaos, the go to sleep eminem song dropped like a nuclear bomb on the Cradle 2 the Grave soundtrack.
Listen.
There are diss tracks that poke fun at someone's outfit or their flow, and then there are diss tracks that sound like they were recorded in a dark alley with a blunt object. This is the latter. Featuring DMX and Obie Trice, "Go to Sleep" wasn't just a song. It was a formal eviction notice for Benzino and Ja Rule.
The Absolute Chaos of the 2003 Beef
To understand why this track is so visceral, you have to look at the climate. Eminem was at his peak. The Eminem Show had just solidified him as a god-tier lyricist, but he was also a massive target. Raymond "Benzino" Scott, the co-founder of The Source, decided to use his magazine as a weapon against Marshall Mathers. He called him the "Machine" and tried to paint him as a culture vulture.
Benzino really thought he could end Eminem's career. He was wrong.
Around the same time, the Murder Inc. vs. Aftermath/Shady war was reaching a boiling point. 50 Cent had just signed to Shady/Aftermath, bringing his baggage with Ja Rule to Eminem’s doorstep. When Ja Rule mentioned Hailie’s name on "Loose Change," the line was crossed. You don't mention the daughter. Everyone knows that.
That Bone-Chilling Hook
The go to sleep eminem song starts with a hook that is arguably one of the most aggressive things Em has ever recorded. It’s not melodic. It’s a rhythmic, guttural scream.
"Go to sleep, bitch! Die, motherf***er, die! Time's up, bitch, close your eyes!"
It’s simple. It’s terrifying. Honestly, it sounds like someone who has completely lost their temper. Unlike the calculated, lyrical gymnastics of "The Sauce" or "Nail in the Coffin," this felt like raw, unadulterated hatred.
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DMX and the Energy Shift
Then you have DMX. Rest in peace to a legend.
X didn't just rap; he barked. He growled. His inclusion on this track was a masterstroke because DMX brought a street credibility that countered the "pop star" image the media tried to force on Eminem. When X says, "I'm a turned-out dog, I'm a burn-out, dog," you believe him. He didn't even have to name names. His presence alone was an intimidation tactic.
Obie Trice holds his own, too. People often overlook Obie, but "Real Name No Gimmicks" wasn't just a slogan. His verse is steady, cold, and calculated. He provided the grounding that the track needed between the screaming of Eminem and the frantic energy of DMX.
Why This Specific Track Still Slaps
Most diss tracks age poorly. They reference specific people who aren't relevant anymore or use slang that sounds dated within three years. But the go to sleep eminem song feels timeless because of its sheer intensity.
It’s the production.
The beat is dark. It’s minimalist but heavy. It has that classic early-2000s Shady/Aftermath cinematic feel. It sounds like a horror movie. If you play this in a gym today, people will hit PRs. If you play it in a car, you're probably going to get a speeding ticket.
The technicality is there, too. Even when Eminem is "screaming," he’s hitting complex rhyme schemes. He’s mocking Benzino’s age, his lack of talent, and his desperation. He’s mocking Ja Rule’s "tough guy" persona.
The Fallout: What Happened After "Go to Sleep"
Did the song work? Well, look at the scoreboard.
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Benzino’s reputation in the hip-hop community never recovered. The Source lost its status as the "Bible of Hip-Hop" largely because fans felt the magazine was being used for a personal vendetta against the biggest rapper in the world. As for Ja Rule, the combination of "Go to Sleep," 50 Cent’s relentless bullying, and the Feds raiding Murder Inc. basically ended that era of dominance.
People forget how high the stakes were. Eminem was fighting for his legitimacy.
There's a misconception that Eminem only fought "pop" stars. "Go to Sleep" proves he was more than willing to get into the mud with the most feared names in the industry. He wasn't hiding behind a keyboard. He was in the booth, calling people out by name and daring them to do something about it.
The Lyrical Breakdown
If you look closely at the lyrics, Em is doing something interesting with his flow. He’s using a staccato delivery that matches the beat perfectly. It’s punchy.
- He addresses the hypocrisy of his critics.
- He leans into the "monster" persona the media created.
- He uses the chorus as a literal chant for the end of his enemies' careers.
It's actually kinda funny when you think about it. Eminem, a guy who basically lived in the studio, was telling other people to go to sleep. The irony is thick.
The Impact on the Cradle 2 the Grave Soundtrack
Usually, soundtrack songs are throwaways. They are B-sides that didn't make the album. But this was the lead single for the movie's music. It featured Denzel Washington and Jet Li on the cover, but the go to sleep eminem song was the real star.
It showed that Eminem didn't need a solo album cycle to dominate the conversation. He could just drop a guest feature or a soundtrack contribution and stop the entire industry in its tracks.
How to Appreciate the Song Today
If you’re listening to this for the first time in 2026, or maybe you haven't heard it since your high school days, try to listen to the instrumental separately. Notice the minor chords. Notice the way the bass hits.
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It’s a masterclass in atmospheric anger.
Many modern rappers try to recreate this "rage," but it often feels forced. It feels like they’re trying to go viral on TikTok. With Eminem, DMX, and Obie, it felt like they were genuinely ready to fight. That authenticity is why we’re still talking about it two decades later.
The song represents a period of hip-hop that was uncompromising. There were no "friendly" fades. If you went after someone, you went for their throat.
Fact-Checking the History
Some people claim this song was the reason Benzino left The Source. That’s a bit of an exaggeration—it was a combination of declining sales and internal pressure—but "Go to Sleep" was definitely the nail in the coffin for his public image.
Others think it was aimed at Everlast. While Eminem was beefing with Everlast around that timeframe, this specific track was focused heavily on the Murder Inc. and Benzino camp. You can hear the specificity in the insults if you know what to look for.
Actionable Steps for Hip-Hop Heads
To truly dive into this era, don't just stop at one song. Hip-hop history is a web.
- Listen to "Nail in the Coffin" and "The Sauce" back-to-back. These are the companion pieces to "Go to Sleep." They provide the lyrical context that the more aggressive "Go to Sleep" leaves out.
- Watch the "Cradle 2 the Grave" movie. It’s a classic early-2000s action flick. Seeing the song in the context of the movie’s energy adds another layer of appreciation.
- Research the "Benzino vs. Eminem" timeline. Look at the old magazine covers. It’s a fascinating look at how print media used to hold power in the music industry.
- Check out the "Green Lantern" mixtapes. A lot of the best diss tracks from this era weren't on official albums; they were on DJ Green Lantern’s Invasion mixtapes.
The go to sleep eminem song isn't just a track on a playlist. It’s a historical document of a time when the "King of Rap" title was being contested with every bar. It’s loud, it’s rude, and it’s exactly what hip-hop needed at the time. It reminds us that sometimes, you don't need a clever metaphor. Sometimes, you just need to tell your enemies that their time is up.