Daydream is the fifth studio album by American singer Mariah Carey, released on October 3, 1995, through Columbia Records. Following the massive success of Music Box (1993) and Merry Christmas (1994), Daydream saw Carey embracing a more R&B and hip-hop-influenced sound, while still maintaining the pop balladry that had made her a superstar. The album was a critical and commercial triumph, spawning some of the biggest hits of the 1990s and earning multiple Grammy nominations. Background and Creation As Carey gained more control over her music, she sought to incorporate contemporary R&B and hip-hop elements into her sound, moving away from the adult contemporary dominance of her early work. Daydream was a crucial step in this evolution, blending her powerful vocals with modern production and collaborations that signaled her growing connection with urban music. The album was primarily produced by Carey alongside Walter Afanasieff, Jermaine Dupri, and Babyface, with contributions from Dave Hall and Manuel Seal. This shift in production style would later serve as the foundation for her full R&B reinvention on Butterfly (1997). Singles and Reception Daydream produced some of Carey’s most iconic hits, including: "Fantasy" – The album’s lead single, featuring a sample from "Genius of Love" by Tom Tom Club, became the first song by a female artist to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The remix featuring Ol’ Dirty Bastard was groundbreaking, helping to bridge hip-hop and p