White Plains, New York MC Stan Ipcus has been rapping and releasing music independently since he was a student in the late ‘90s at the University of Maryland. But he’s also spent his adult life working full-time as a writer, creative director, and college professor, and raising a family with four children.

Still, through the hustle of his daily grind, he’s found pockets of time to rap, and has enjoyed his fair share of memorable hip-hop moments as an artist. But even with highlights that include being featured on a GRAMMY-nominated album (Matisyahu, Youth), performing live at famed venues across the country (Madison Square Garden, The Greek Theatre), and having his music featured on the most respected rap radio stations (Hot 97, Shade 45) and blogs (NahRight, 2DopeBoyz), Stan has spent his life as a rapper being overlooked by record labels and the music industry at large.

But regardless, he’s maintained his confidence, and knows that he always has something fresh and unique to contribute to the culture—which has been recognized recently by living legends like DJ Premier and Alchemist.

So after the release of his critically-acclaimed book ‘Do Remember! The Golden Era of NYC Hip-Hop Mixtapes’ last fall, Stan returns to the microphone with a purpose—to make the classic rap album he’s always dreamed of making.

‘Sleep If You Want’ tells the story of a veteran, 40-something MC who is determined not to let anyone or anything—including sleep—get in the way of his destiny. With his many styles and flows fully on display, Ipcus shines a light on his current place in rap and chin-checks his competition, while also finding time to reminisce on where it all started, too. And the whole album was written and recorded on lunch breaks, after-hours, and in the wee hours of the morning—-hence the title.

The album—released on Tape Kingz vinyl and cassette—contains ten tracks in all, with production by Syer, Duke Fiorella, Gem Crates, G-Whiz, and Stan Ipcus himself, and guest appearances by Yonkers mixtape legend Genovese and Queens’ mastermind MC and Polo aficionado Superbad Solace.

Keep sleeping on Stan Ipcus if you want, but regardless—he’s wide-awake, sharper than ever, and coming for his crown.