NEWS: Judge Rules Against Meek Mill's (@MeekMill) [Maybach Music] Travel Request?

In a heated two hour hearing, a judge today ruled that Robert Williams, known by his rap name 'Meek Mill, cannot travel on tour this month.

Judge Genece Brinkley's ruling today ensures his tour will be limited to the streets of North Philadelphia.

William's Africa tour was already cancelled his lawyer said because of uncertainty about how the Municipal Court Judge Genece Brinkley might rule.

Williams, a 25-year-old North Philly street rapper with a growing reputation as the "next big thing," was supposed to be in Los Angeles on Wednesday to appear on the Conan O'Brien show, his last U.S. stop before ending 2012 in Africa with shows in Lagos, Nigeria, and Libreville, Gabon.

But Williams is on probation for a 2008 gun-and-drug conviction for which he needs to periodically appear in Philadelphia courts.

At issue was a request by Williams to lift a ban on travel for concert and other related appearances.

Williams was initially arrested in January 2007 in an incident involving drugs, guns, and an assault.

He opted for a nonjury trial and in August 2008, Brinkley found him guilty of assault, four counts involving carrying an unlicensed gun in public, and two drug counts.

Williams was sentenced to 11 to 23 months in prison - he served eight - and five years of probation, which is set to end in about three years.

But he resumed his rap career, and, gave up the street life in favor of aiming to become a superstar.

Meek Mill's first album, Dreams and Nightmares, was released Oct. 30.