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Dream Chasers Records

Dream Chasers Records is an American hip-hop record label and management company founded by Philadelphia rapper Meek Mill in 2012 as an imprint under Rick Ross's Maybach Music Group.^[1] The label draws its name from Meek Mill's successful Dreamchasers mixtape series, which began in 2011 and helped establish his career.^[2] In 2019, it entered a joint venture with Jay-Z's Roc Nation as an independent entity, with Meek Mill serving as president to focus on artist development, creative strategy, and cultural impact; the partnership was dissolved in 2022.^[3] The label has signed several emerging hip-hop artists over the years, including Louie V. Gutta, Lee Mazin, Goldie, and the late Lil Snupe in its early phase, as well as Omelly, Nick Papz, YBS Skola, and Calboy following the 2019 relaunch.^[2] During the Roc Nation partnership, the label received support in management, marketing, and talent scouting, emphasizing dedicated artists with long-term potential. The label has been involved in releasing Meek Mill's projects, alongside efforts in music publishing and artist management. Beyond music, the label reflects Meek Mill's commitment to social issues, aligning with his co-founding of the Reform Alliance in 2018 alongside Jay-Z to advocate for criminal justice reform.^[2] As of 2025, the independent label continues to release new music, including singles in 2024 and 2025, and signed rapper Kur in October 2025, maintaining a focus on uplifting hard-working artists in hip-hop.^[4]^[3]

History

Founding and early years

Dream Chasers Records was established in October 2012 by Philadelphia rapper Meek Mill as an independent imprint under the Maybach Music Group umbrella.^[5]^[6] The label drew its name and ethos from Mill's popular mixtape series, which began with Dreamchasers in August 2011 and emphasized themes of perseverance and ambition.^[7]^[8] Mill founded the label with the goal of providing a platform for up-and-coming hip-hop artists from underserved backgrounds, mirroring his own journey through adversity in Philadelphia's streets. At launch, operations were lean and focused on artist scouting and development, with Mill serving as the flagship act and no immediate major distribution partnerships beyond MMG's existing Warner Bros. affiliation.^[5] The first notable signing was Louisiana rapper Lil Snupe in 2012, whom Mill discovered after hearing his demo and quickly added to the roster to nurture raw talent.^[9]^[2] A pivotal early milestone came with the November 2012 release of Mill's debut studio album Dreams and Nightmares through the label, which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and was later certified gold by the RIAA for 500,000 units sold.^[10] The project highlighted the label's initial emphasis on motivational hip-hop narratives, blending Mill's personal story of rising from incarceration and hardship with high-energy production to establish Dream Chasers as a voice for resilience in the genre.^[8]

Partnership with Roc Nation

In July 2019, Meek Mill formalized a joint venture between Dream Chasers Records and Jay-Z's Roc Nation, granting the label access to advanced distribution channels, marketing expertise, and operational resources in return for equity stakes. This collaboration marked a significant evolution for the imprint, transitioning it from its prior affiliation with Maybach Music Group to a more autonomous entity backed by Roc Nation's industry prowess. The deal was publicly sealed during a signing ceremony at Roc Nation's New York headquarters, emphasizing empowerment for emerging hip-hop talent.^[11] The partnership profoundly influenced Dream Chasers' operations, enabling broader global reach for its releases through Roc Nation's established networks and promoting a shift toward sophisticated A&R strategies. Artists benefited from enhanced promotional campaigns, including digital marketing and touring support, which amplified their visibility in competitive markets. For instance, the label signed rapper Yung Bleu to a management deal, supporting his breakthrough with singles like "You're Mines Still" featuring Drake, and Vory, whose 2022 debut album Lost Souls was distributed under the venture. These signings exemplified the JV's focus on nurturing melodic trap and R&B-infused hip-hop acts.^[12]^[13]^[14] A pivotal release under the joint venture was Meek Mill's fifth studio album, Expensive Pain, issued in October 2021 via Atlantic Records, Maybach Music Group, Dream Chasers, and Roc Nation. The project debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200, accumulating 95,000 equivalent album units in its first week, and featured collaborations with artists like Lil Baby, Kehlani, and Brent Faiyaz, underscoring the label's elevated production standards. This success highlighted the partnership's role in scaling Meek Mill's solo output while integrating Dream Chasers' roster into major promotional efforts.^[15] Despite these advancements, the joint venture encountered obstacles, including internal conflicts and Meek Mill's ongoing legal aftermath from prior probation violations, which strained resources and focus. Meek publicly expressed frustration with Atlantic Records' promotional shortcomings for Expensive Pain, alleging insufficient marketing investment that hampered its commercial potential and contributed to waning label activity. These issues, compounded by broader strategic misalignments, diminished the partnership's momentum by 2022.^[16] The collaboration dissolved in July 2022, driven by Meek Mill's decision to end his decade-long management ties with Roc Nation for greater creative control. Dream Chasers Records emerged fully independent, retaining key learnings from the JV such as refined distribution models, while continuing to draw on established Roc Nation connections for selective opportunities. This shift allowed the label to prioritize self-directed growth amid evolving hip-hop business dynamics.^[17]

Relaunch and recent developments

Following the end of the joint venture in 2022, Dream Chasers Records continued as an independent label, focusing on artist development and digital distribution. The label expanded its roster with signings such as Vory in 2020, who released his self-titled EP in December 2020 through Dream Chasers, featuring collaborations with Mill and others, followed by the album Lost Souls in 2022. Key milestones included the release of Mill's albums like Expensive Pain in 2021, which debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 with 95,000 equivalent album units in its first week. In 2025, the label promoted the collaboration "Proud of Me" by Fridayy featuring Meek Mill, released on February 28 as part of Fridayy's project Some Days I'm Good, Some Days I'm Not.^[18]^[19] In October 2025, Philadelphia rapper Kur signed to Dream Chasers Records in association with Roc Nation, highlighting selective ongoing synergies despite the label's independence. As of November 2025, Dream Chasers maintains a roster of approximately 5-7 active artists, emphasizing streaming optimization and social media-driven promotion to reach global audiences. Looking ahead, Dream Chasers prioritizes artist empowerment initiatives, including mentorship programs aligned with Mill's criminal justice reform efforts through the REFORM Alliance, which raised $20 million in September 2025 to support probation reform and community reintegration—principles Mill integrates into label operations to foster sustainable career growth.^[20]^[21]^[22]^[23]

Artists

Current roster

Dream Chasers Records' current roster centers on founder Meek Mill, rapper Yung Ro, affiliate Omelly, and singer Fridayy, with the label emphasizing mentorship and strategic promotion for artists focused on authentic street narratives and melodic hip-hop in the 2020s.^[24] Meek Mill, the label's founder and flagship artist, continues to drive its direction through his ongoing releases and collaborations, including the 2025 single "SURVIVORS GUILT" with G Herbo.^[24] As the primary creative force, Mill provides hands-on guidance to roster members, leveraging his experience to shape their development and amplify their visibility via joint projects that align with the label's motivational ethos.^[25] Yung Ro, signed in November 2019, brings a Southern flair to the roster with releases emphasizing themes of perseverance and family, such as his 2020 single "Fetish" and continued promotions under the label into 2024.^[26] Omelly, Meek Mill's cousin and a Philadelphia-based rapper, remains an active affiliate since joining in late 2014. Known for his gritty bars and close ties to Mill's camp, Omelly frequently collaborates on tracks and mixtapes, contributing to the Dreamchasers series.^[27] Fridayy, signed to the label, represents its expansion into melodic and R&B-influenced hip-hop, with recent 2025 releases including the single "Proud of Me" with Meek Mill and official music videos promoted by Dream Chasers.^[28]^[24] The label's approach to its roster involves tailored promotion, including cross-promotions with Mill's platform to build momentum for new releases, ensuring artists receive creative resources and exposure without diluting their individual styles.^[22]

Former roster

Lil Snupe, born Addarren Ross, became the inaugural signee to Dream Chasers Records in early 2013 when Meek Mill recognized his talent during a freestyle session.^[9] The Louisiana native, hailing from North Louisiana, quickly emerged as a promising voice in hip-hop with his raw lyricism and street-oriented style. His debut mixtape under the label, R.N.I.C. (Real Nigga in Cushion), released in April 2013, featured collaborations with artists like Meek Mill, Yo Gotti, and Curren$y, showcasing his potential as a rising star.^[29] Tragically, Snupe was shot and killed on June 20, 2013, in Winnfield, Louisiana, at the age of 18, just months after signing; the incident profoundly affected the label's early momentum and inspired tributes across Meek Mill's subsequent projects.^[30] TAFIA, signed in 2020 as the label's first official artist post-relaunch, represented Dream Chasers' commitment to emerging talent from urban backgrounds, with his work highlighting personal growth and resilience through singles and albums like Mention My Name (2022). He departed sometime after 2022 to pursue independent releases under his own Street Fanci imprint, including the 2025 deluxe edition of Pain Make a Monster 2. Under the label's support, TAFIA benefited from Meek Mill's mentorship, including collaborative promotion strategies.^[31]^[32] His development emphasized street-rooted storytelling, positioning him as a key figure in the label's post-relaunch era. The departures from Dream Chasers Records have generally stemmed from contract expirations, creative differences seeking more autonomy, or unforeseen external events like Lil Snupe's untimely death, rather than acrimonious disputes or lawsuits. These changes reflect broader industry dynamics for independent imprints navigating major label partnerships. The legacy of former artists endures through their contributions to the label's gritty, motivational ethos; notably, Lil Snupe's brief but impactful run solidified Dream Chasers' ties to emerging Philadelphia-adjacent talent, influencing the local hip-hop scene with his posthumous reverence in Mill's music and beyond.^[33]

Releases and discography

Key albums

Dream Chasers Records has been instrumental in releasing several influential hip-hop albums since its inception, with a focus on artists from Meek Mill's core circle. The label's early output emphasized raw, street-oriented projects that captured the Philadelphia rap scene's energy, transitioning over time to more commercially polished studio efforts following its partnership with Roc Nation in 2019. Meek Mill's debut studio album, Dreams and Nightmares, released on October 30, 2012, marked the label's foundational release and debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart. The project, distributed through Maybach Music Group and Warner Bros. Records, earned gold certification from the RIAA for 500,000 units sold or streamed in the United States. Its opening track, "Dreams and Nightmares (Intro)," became a cultural phenomenon, achieving 2x platinum status by the RIAA and inspiring widespread use in sports celebrations and viral moments.^[34] In 2014, the label issued a posthumous compilation for its late signee Lil Snupe, titled R.N.I.C. Re-Visited, compiling unreleased tracks from the Louisiana rapper who was signed in 2013 and tragically killed earlier that year. This release honored Snupe's potential within the Dream Chasers ecosystem, featuring contributions from Meek Mill and other affiliates, though it did not achieve major chart success.^[35] Meek Mill's Championships, released November 30, 2018, stands as a pivotal pre-relaunch album under the original Dream Chasers imprint via Maybach Music Group, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 with 191,000 album-equivalent units in its first week. Certified platinum by the RIAA on June 5, 2019, for one million units, the album explores themes of legal battles, perseverance, and triumph, solidifying Mill's status as a commercial force.^[36] Vory's debut studio album Lost Souls, released June 3, 2022, via Dream Chasers and UMG Recordings, represented the label's push into R&B-infused hip-hop post-relaunch. The 17-track project featured high-profile collaborators like Kanye West and Yung Bleu, achieving notable streaming traction on platforms like Spotify, where it amassed millions of plays in its initial months.^[37]^[38] Emerging R&B artist Fridayy's 2025 album Some Days I'm Good, Some Days I'm Not, released February 28, highlighted the label's backing through collaborations like the track "Proud of Me" with Meek Mill. Distributed via Atlantic Records with Dream Chasers involvement, the project drew from personal themes of loss and growth, tying into Fridayy's rising profile with Grammy-winning features on prior hits.^[28] Meek Mill's Indie Pack (Vol. 01) EP, released November 13, 2025, marks a recent independent project under Dream Chasers Records, featuring four tracks including "4TH OF JULY" with Fridayy.^[39] Overall, Dream Chasers Records' catalog reflects an evolution from mixtape-driven releases in its early years to full studio albums after 2019, contributing substantially to the label's streaming presence.

Notable singles

Dream Chasers Records has produced several standout singles that highlight the label's focus on high-energy hip-hop rooted in Philadelphia's street narratives and motivational themes. One of the most iconic is Meek Mill's "Dreams and Nightmares (Intro)" from 2012, a viral intro track that dramatically shifts from orchestral strings to aggressive beats, symbolizing the transition from struggle to success; it ignited significant buzz for the newly founded label and has amassed over 460 million streams on Spotify alone by late 2025, with additional hundreds of millions across platforms including a notable 120 million YouTube views.^[40]^[41]^[42] Another early highlight is "Amen" by Meek Mill featuring Drake, released in 2012 as a lead single from the Dreams and Nightmares album; it peaked at No. 57 on the Billboard Hot 100, blending gospel-inspired production with triumphant lyrics about rising from adversity, and exemplified the label's early collaborations with major Roc Nation-affiliated talent.^[43] In more recent years, the label has continued to deliver impactful releases, such as Meek Mill's "Survivor's Guilt" featuring G Herbo, a 2025 digital single that addresses themes of personal trauma, loss, and resilience in the face of systemic challenges; it debuted strongly on streaming platforms shortly after its May 29 release, resonating with fans through its raw storytelling.^[44] Similarly, "Proud Of Me" by Fridayy featuring Meek Mill, released on February 28, 2025, serves as a motivational anthem celebrating self-empowerment and overcoming doubt, aligning closely with Dream Chasers' ethos of uplifting narratives amid hardship; the track quickly gained traction on playlists, underscoring the label's role in fostering crossover R&B-rap collaborations.^[45] Overall, singles from Dream Chasers Records have been pivotal in driving the label's visibility and fan engagement, with key tracks frequently featured on major playlists across Spotify and Apple Music, contributing substantially to its streaming presence since inception.^[46]

References

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Jul 24, 2019 · Meek Mill's Dream Chasers movement began in 2012 when he signed artists like Louie V.
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Jul 24, 2019 · Jay-Z and Meek Mill are partnering to bring Meek's Dream Chasers label into the Roc Nation fold. The two signed papers Tuesday in New York City.
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Music titan Jay-Z is teaming up with rapper Meek Mill to create a new record label Dream Chasers, named after Mill's mixtape series with the same name.
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Jul 12, 2022 · But Mill has expressed discontent with his label Atlantic Records lately, claiming it failed to promote "Expensive Pain," his most recent album.
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Jul 11, 2022 · Meek, who first signed a management deal with Roc Nation in 2012, is no longer featured on the company's website and has been removed from its ...
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May 31, 2022 · Meek Mill's Dream Chasers Records signed Vory to the Roc Nation-backed label in 2020. Lost Souls is currently available for pre-save/pre-add ...
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Dream Chasers Records was founded in 2012. Where is Dream Chasers Records headquartered? Dream Chasers Records is headquartered in New York, NY. What industry ...
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