Daydream is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey, released on October 3, 1995. It was a critical and commercial success, solidifying Carey's position as one of the most successful artists of the 1990s. The album features a mix of R&B, pop, and hip-hop influences, showcasing Carey's versatile vocal range and songwriting abilities.
The lead single from Daydream was "Fantasy," which became Carey's ninth chart-topping single on the Billboard Hot 100. The song incorporated a sample from Tom Tom Club's "Genius of Love" and introduced a more hip-hop-inspired sound to Carey's music. Other notable tracks on the album include "One Sweet Day," a collaboration with Boyz II Men that spent a record-breaking 16 weeks at number one on the Hot 100, and "Always Be My Baby," which became another number one hit for Carey.
Daydream received widespread acclaim from music critics, who praised Carey's vocal performances and the album's production. It was also commercially successful, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and selling over ten million copies worldwide.
The success of Daydream further solidified Mariah Carey's status as one of the most successful artists in music history. She became the first artist to have their first five singles reach number one on the Hot 100 chart and set numerous other records throughout her career.