![]() ![]() Still, the track’s relevance in rap circles pales compared with what it means to the cultural lifeblood of Philadelphia. Drake - years before his infamous falling-out and eventual reunion with Meek Mill - dubbed the song “ one of the best rap moments of our generation.” Meek Mill performed the song at the NBA All-Star Game, and recently, on Monday Night Football. Los Angeles Laker LeBron James has used it as a hymn to reflect on his career. ![]() ![]() Though “Dreams and Nightmares” is Philly to its core, the song’s appeal is far-reaching. What the world loves about the Rocky movie franchise exists in this song - only its origin story for “Dreams and Nightmares” is on Berks Street in North Philadelphia. “Dreams and Nightmares” is Meek Mill’s story, sure, but it’s also a quintessential underdog anthem. The song is so beloved, playing it at gatherings is a must, which is a testament to its staying power. As soon as the song drops, people rap along to it passionately, no matter where they are: cookouts, parties, homecomings, even weddings. The first few seconds of “Dreams and Nightmares” establishes its tone, similar to what Juvenile’s “ Back That Azz Up” does at parties, or UGK and OutKast’s “ International Players Anthem (I Choose You)” does, well, just about anywhere. “Most know how it feels to ‘see your dreams unfold’ and ‘nightmares come true.’ ” “The reason ‘Dreams and Nightmares’ resonates is because we literally know how it feels to be counted out,” said Al Torrance, a high school teacher and unofficial historian of Philadelphia’s rap scene. Ten years after its release, “Dreams and Nightmares” still gets just about any crowd hype. The song is a survival story that not only puts Meek Mill’s life on wax, but also speaks to the harrowing times that gave the track its vibrancy. But the selling point of “Dreams and Nightmares” is the story of its creation. Meek Mill’s signature has always been his own twist on the art of storytelling. In a genre with no shortage of underdog stories, Meek Mill’s “ Dreams and Nightmares” stands out. This is Dreams and Nightmares.Hip Hop at 50 is our yearlong look at the people, sound, art, and impact of hip-hop culture on the world. Through the album, there is a clear autobiographical tone that starts with joy and excitement, then nosedives into pure horror and darkness, and then slowly rises from the ashes, looking for positivity in life. While this was happening, US3R continued to write music, chronicling the personal experiences he was having. As things reached their boiling point, wildfires sprung up around the West Coast, and the smoke filled the skies with darkness. As tensions escalated between protestors and local police, the city echoed through the night with explosions from flash grenades and the air was hazy from tear gas. While quarantining at home in downtown Seattle, WA, protests against police brutality sprung up around the neighborhood. After riding high from having embarked on a national US & Canada tour, the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic sent the tour into an abrupt halt. Dreams and Nightmares is a chronicle of US3R's personal journey through 2019, 2020, and 2021. ![]()
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