If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)

"If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)"
Single by Nas featuring Lauryn Hill
from the album It Was Written
Released June 4, 1996
Format CD single
Recorded 1995
Genre
Length 4:42
Label Columbia
Songwriter(s) Nasir Jones
Jean-Claude Olivier
Kurtis Walker
Samuel Barnes
Producer(s) Trackmasters
Rashad Smith
Nas singles chronology
"One Love"
(1994)		 "If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)"
(1996)		 "Street Dreams"
(1996)
Lauryn Hill singles chronology
"If I Ruled The World (Imagine That)"
(1996) If I Ruled The World (Imagine That)1996		 "All My Time"
(1997) All My Time1997
Audio
"If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)" on YouTube
"If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)" (radio edit) on YouTube

"If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)" is a single by Nas featuring Lauryn Hill, released on June 4, 1996.[1] Produced by Trackmasters, with some uncredited input by Rashad Smith, it is based on the 1985 hit of the same name by rapper Kurtis Blow and samples the beat of "Friends" by Whodini. The single was Nas's first Top 20 R&B hit, and was also nominated for a 1997 Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance. Lauryn Hill's verse interpolates the song "Walk Right Up To The Sun" by The Delfonics. The song's lyrics feature Nas discussing the various things he would do if he "ruled the world and everything in it". It is considered one of the greatest rap songs of all time by many publications. It was also ranked 88 on XXL's Best Songs of the 90's.

"If I Ruled the World", bolstered by a high-budget music video directed by Hype Williams, became Nas's first single to gain mainstream notice. The single reached number 53 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 17 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart, and number 15 on the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks chart.

Single track listing

US 12" Vinyl

A-Side

  1. "If I Ruled the World" (Main Mix) (4:42)
  2. "If I Ruled the World" (Instrumental) (4:34)

B-Side

  1. "If I Ruled the World" (Clean Mix) (4:42)
  2. "If I Ruled the World" (A Cappella) (4:42)

Europe Maxi-CD (COL 663296 2)

  1. "If I Ruled the World (Imagine That) (Main Mix)" (4:45)
  2. "If I Ruled the World (Imagine That) (Instrumental)" (4:36)
  3. "If I Ruled the World (Imagine That) (Clean Mix)" (4:45)
  4. "If I Ruled the World (Imagine That) (A Cappella)" (4:42)

Europe CD (COL 663296 1)

  1. "If I Ruled the World (Imagine That) (Main Mix)"
  2. "If I Ruled the World (Imagine That) (Instrumental)"

Charts

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/Sales
France (SNEP)[20] Gold 250,000*
Germany (BVMI)[21] Gold 250,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[22] Gold 5,000*

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone

References

  1. ↑ "If I Ruled the World - Nas | Credits". Allmusic. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  2. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988-2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  3. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Nas – If I Ruled The World" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  4. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Nas – If I Ruled The World" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  5. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Nas – If I Ruled The World" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  6. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Nas – If I Ruled The World" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  7. ↑ "Musicline.de – Nas Single-Chartverfolgung" (in German). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  8. ↑ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (NR. 188 Vikuna 21.9. - 27.9. '96)" (PDF) (in Icelandic). Dagblaðið Vísir. Retrieved July 21, 2018.
  9. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 38, 1996" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  10. ↑ "Charts.nz – Nas – If I Ruled The World". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  11. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Nas – If I Ruled The World". VG-lista. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  12. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Nas – If I Ruled The World". Singles Top 100. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  13. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Nas – If I Ruled The World". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  14. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  15. ↑ "Nas Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  16. ↑ "Nas Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  17. ↑ "Nas – Awards". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  18. ↑ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
  19. ↑ "End of Year Charts 1996". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
  20. ↑ "French single certifications – Nas – If I Ruled The World" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
  21. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Nas; 'If I Ruled The World')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
  22. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – Nas – If I Ruled the World". Recorded Music NZ.
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