Illest Morena Brings “i dont wanna wake you up” To Life In New Music Video – Watch
The music video shot in her hometown arrives shortly after the empowering single’s release last June 12.
Courtesy of @daillestmorena.
Courtesy of @daillestmorena.
Illest Morena drops the official music video for her latest single, “i dont wanna wake you up,” bringing the confidence-driven anthem to life through a tribute to the community that shaped her.
Arriving weeks after the single’s release on June 12, 2026, the music video premiered on July 4, 2026 as the latest visual from the Filipino hip-hop artist’s new era. It serves as her first solo release after a year of collaborating with some of the biggest names in the local music scene.
Marking the beginning of the rollout of her forthcoming sophomore album, “i dont wanna wake you up” explores self-confidence and personal growth through a blend of Jersey Club and drill influences. Produced alongside longtime collaborator, Shazy, the track is paired with a music video filmed in Barangay Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City.
Featuring the neighborhood she grew up in, the visualizer sees appearances from viral personalities Sesable, Stella Salle, Queen Dura, and members of the local drag community. Together, the song and visual celebrate authenticity, community, and Illest Morena’s journey back to her roots.
Speaking about the music video, the independent rapper shared, “I wanted the video to feel alive. Totoong buhay, totoong tao, totoong community (Real life, real people, real community.)”
On the decision to feature drag artists in the visual, she explained, “Bilang performer, sobrang inspiring nilang panoorin. Magkaiba man yung art forms namin, pare-pareho kaming storytellers on stage, and I hope one day ma-try ko rin maging drag queen.”
(“As a performer, they are incredibly inspiring to watch. Even though our art forms differ, we are all storytellers on stage, and I hope that one day I can try being a drag queen, too.”)
Illest Morena is currently working on her sophomore album, which she describes as her “most personal project yet.”
In anticipation of Illest Morena’s next era, watch her latest music video, “i dont wanna wake you up,” below:

Andrea Manuel
Andrea Manuel is a Writer at Billboard Philippines, covering the latest developments in Filipino music and culture. She reports on daily news spanning OPM, P-pop, hip-hop, and mainstream international releases that resonate with Filipino audiences, helping readers stay informed on the artists, releases, and trends shaping today’s music landscape.
Her coverage includes music releases, artist debuts, concert announcements, festival appearances, industry developments, and notable milestones, with a particular interest in documenting the evolving stories of both emerging and established artists across genres.
Andrea has also written concert and album reviews, as well as feature stories drawn from artist interviews. Through timely and engaging reporting, she highlights artists, releases, and cultural moments driving conversations across the Philippine music industry and beyond.