Meek Mill Drops ‘Dreams and Nightmares’ Album: Today in Hip-Hop

On this day, Oct. 30, in hip-hop history...

2012: Filled with stories of the streets, Philly battle rapper Meek Mill unleashed his debut album, Dreams and Nightmares, on Oct. 30, 2012.

Meek Mill enjoyed a considerable buzz leading up to his debut album thanks to his Mr. Philadelphia mixtape, his signing with MMG and being taken under the wing of Maybach Music Group don Rick Ross in 2011 and spot on the 2011 XXL Freshmen roster. Though the album was stacked with guest appearances from the likes of Nas, Rick Ross, Mary J. Blige, Big Sean, Drake and more, Meek's relentless lyrical delivery was the focal point. The lion-hearted rookie was on fire.

The MC told stories of his days by the corner store, his legal setbacks and a long road of struggle and despair finally ending in the fairytale of triumph. He gave fans an autobiography of a Philly hustler while accompanied by beats from Boi-1da, Key Wane, Jhalil Beats and more. The LP is also responsible for supplying one of the best hip-hop intros the Internet age has ever heard. If you're a rap fan and you've never drunkenly bellowed the lyrics to "Dreams and Nightmares," you're not doing it right.

Released under MMG and Warner Bros. Records and fueled by bangers like "Amen," "Burn" and "Young & Gettin It," Dreams and Nightmares debut at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, selling 165,000 copies in its first week. In addition to sales and radio play, the album was also widely critically acclaimed. In XXL's 2012 review of he album, the writer awarded Meek a XL rating, commenting, "If his MMG boss’ rags-to-riches ode sounds much more like a hammy motion picture, Meek’s street-ridden recollections make for a more realistic documentary. This shadows all over Dreams and Nightmares, an album that finds Meek exhibiting a dichotomy between achievement and the tainted journey."

XXL named Dreams and Nightmares to be one of the best albums of 2012.

See Photos of Meek Mill's Different Looks Over the Years