Released October 22, 1996 Recorded 1996 Label Columbia | Format CD single Genre Hip hop | |
Length 4:39(Original)
4:27(Remix) | ||
"Street Dreams" is a 1996 single by American rapper Nas. The song was It Was Written's second hit, following the success of "If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)". "Street Dreams" contains an interpolation from the Eurythmics song "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" and a sample from Linda Clifford's "Never Gonna Stop". A remix, including an appearance by R. Kelly, was released shortly after the original. It featured samples from the Isley Brothers' "Choosey Lover". The remix version was performed live on an episode of the Nickelodeon series All That in February 1997.
Contents
The song's big-budget video, directed by Hype Williams, was an allusion to the Martin Scorsese film Casino. It was filmed in Las Vegas around the time Tupac Shakur was murdered and featured a cameo appearance by Frank Vincent. Perhaps as a show of appreciation, Scorsese later used Nas' "Thief's Theme" in a scene from his 2006 gangster/cop drama The Departed.
The song was Nas' first to enter the top 50 on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching number 22. It was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America in 1997, his only single to achieve this feat.
Music video
There is a music video for both the original and the remix featuring R. Kelly. The original music video was directed by famous director Hype Williams and was released in 1996.
A-Side
- "Street Dreams" (Album Version) (4:08)
- "Street Dreams" (Bonus Verse) (4:08)
- "Street Dreams" (Instrumental) (4:08)
B-Side
- "Affirmative Action" (Remix) (4:09)
- Produced by Poke & Tone
- "Affirmative Action" (Album Version) (4:19)
- Produced by Dave Atkinson
- "Affirmative Action" (Instrumental) (3:44)