8 Things You Need To Know About Meek Mill’s Dreams And Nightmares Album - Page 2

Last night in the legendary Electric Lady Studios in New York City, Meek Mill brought all of the stars out to listen to his debut album under Maybach Music Group/Warner Bros called Dreams And Nightmares. 

Jay-Z and Will Smith were briefly in the house to take in the new album while Meek’s MMG homies Rick Ross and Wale also took in the festivities. NFL stars and NFC East rivals DeSean Jackson of the Philadelphia Eagles and Victor Cruz of the New York Giants were being cordial to each other while all showing up to support the new young star out of Philadelphia.

Like we always do at this time when it comes to heavily anticipated albums, your good friends at Hip-Hop Wired are here to drop dime and what you can expect from the album when it hits stores on October 30th.

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Photos: Instagram, Getty, yFrog

The Dreams And Nightmares intro. 

The album starts with a Jekyll & Hyde type of song with the albums title track. The Tone The Beat Bully-produced cut starts off with a mellow side of Meek. The song has the street-bred Philly MC admiring his accomplishments and just how far he’s come in a relatively short time. That is short lived however, as the song switches beats and goes into full on mayhem. “I give em the dream side of it, and then I go and turn it into the nightmares side of it and turn it up,” Meek explained to the crowd of onlookers.

Believe It ft. Rick Ross (Produced By Young Shun)

After the listening session, this was the early favorite from the album. The fourth track from the album gives you that high energy Meek Mill-Rick Ross collaboration that made songs like “I’m A Boss,” “Work,” and “Tupac Back” such smashes. You can easily slide this record right into that category of songs that will turn clubs on its ear when it drops. Rick Ross’ hook, where he chants “I got that Justin Bieber, please believe it” is sure to be a club favorite sooner rather than later. Remember who told you first.

Maybach Curtains ft. Nas, John Legend & Rick Ross

Versions of this song have leaked on the internet for a while, but the final version of this song finally lands on Meek’s debut. The pride of Philly called this record a classic before he played the song. “Back in the day, I never would’ve thought I would have people like John Legend and Nas on my album,” Meek told the crowd. Meek gets reflective to his street days as he channels The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Juicy” as he kicks off his verse by stating “It was all a dream, I was on the corner serving all the feens.”

Nas’ verse is quick but efficient as he wastes no time to tell his point of view from behind the Maybach curtains. John Legend is excellent on the hook, as you can expect. This is another standout record that shows Meek range as an artist.

Layup ft. Wale, Rick Ross and Trey Songz (Produced By Kane Beatz)

This record was originally supposed to feature Jay-Z, but after he recorded it the big homie said he didn’t like his verse according to Meek. Angie Martinez, who helped MC the listening session asked if there was a lost version of this song that features Hova that will turn up sooner or later. As for this record, Meek and his crew join Trey Songz in talking to the ladies in a way that only they can. Wale shines on this verse, as this song fits him more than anyone else on the record. While that isn’t a slight at the others on the artist, it only gives you hope that one day Jigga’s verse will be liberated to these Internet streets. Only time will tell.

Tony Story Pt. 2 (Prod. By Boi-1da) 

For fans of “Tony’s Story” off of the original Dreamchasers mixtape, the story continues on Dreams And Nightmares as Meek Mill tells the story of Pauly and Tony’s little brothers continuing their street feud. Meek exercises his ability to tell stories very well here as he vividly depicts a brewing street war between the two while intertwining elements from the previous song. We won’t ruin the ending of the story for you, you’ll have to go and grab the album for that. Boi-1da however does deliver on his trademark hard hitting drums and composes an excellent backdrop for the story.

Who Your Around ft. Mary J. Bilge

Ever since Jay-Z and Mary J. Blige’s “Can’t Knock The Hustle,” it is almost like a right of passage for the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul to croon all on your debut album. Mary’s still got it on this one on TB Hits and Travis Sayles’ excellent production. Nothing said “Mama I Made it” than having Miss Mary J sing about how you made it. This is a tried and true recipe for success, but it hasn’t failed yet. This is no exception. Mary and Meek hit this one out of the park.

Bonus Track

For some reason, one of the best records on the album is most likely going to be a bonus record on the album. We didn’t catch the name of the record, but it features Tauheed “2 Chainz, Tity Two Necklaces” Epps and samples the classic Three Six Mafia record “Slob On My Knob.”

“This is one of those ratchet records for you ratchet a** chicks out there,” Meek told the crowd before hitting play. This record is exactly what you think it is. Looping the familiar piano chords from “Slob On My Knob,” this is another record that will turn the classiest of women into straight up freaks on a club. You can bet the house on that one. Again, why this record isn’t on the album is lost on us. However, Meek maintains that the record will possibly land on the upcoming Dreamchasers 3 mixtape.

Overall

The jump from an underground artist to stand out crew member to solo star is never an easy road. There are usually the no-brainer “I’m shooting for the radio so let me tone it down” schtick that is painfully obvious to a lot of their core fans. Outside from the forgettable “Young N Gettin It” featuring Kirko Bangz (which he refused to play since everyone heard it), this album is some much needed street hop.

Meek’s believability in his stories are what sets him apart from many debut albums that have come out in the past year. While many have felt the rush to capitalize on buzz, Meek took his time with Dreams And Nightmares , a luxury he could afford while being tied to one of the hottest groups in Hip-Hop. He’s had top singles and summer smashes with his group members, but now it’s time for him to go for self. Dreams And Nightmares is a step in the right direction in bringing back some widely accepted street s**t from a newcomer that has been void in a long time.

Meek Mill’s Dreams And Nightmares hits stores on October 30th.