If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)

"If I Ruled the World"
Single by Nas featuring Lauryn Hill
from the album It Was Written
ReleasedJune 4, 1996
Recorded1995
Genre
Length4:42
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)
  • Nasir Jones
  • Kurt Walker
  • Samuel Barnes
  • Jean-Claude Olivier
Producer(s)
Nas singles chronology
"One Love"
(1994) 		"If I Ruled the World"
(1996) 		"Street Dreams"
(1996)
Lauryn Hill singles chronology
"If I Ruled The World (Imagine That)"
(1996) 		"All My Time"
(1997)
Music video
"If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)" on YouTube

"If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)" is a song by American rapper Nas featuring American singer and rapper Lauryn Hill. It was released as the lead single from Nas' second studio album It Was Written on June 4, 1996, by Columbia Records.[1] Produced by Trackmasters, with some uncredited input by Rashad Smith, it is based on the 1985 hit of the same name by American rapper Kurtis Blow and samples the beat of "Friends" by Whodini. Lauryn Hill's verse interpolates the song "Walk Right Up To The Sun" by The Delfonics. The single marked Hill's first musical appearance outside of the Fugees.

"If I Ruled the World", bolstered by a high-budget music video directed by Hype Williams and designed by visual artist and designer Ron Norsworthy, became Nas's first single to gain mainstream notice. The single reached number 53 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, while it also peaked in the top 20 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart. In total, the single reached the top ten in eight countries. It received a nominated for Best Rap Solo Performance at the 39th Annual Grammy Awards. Various publications have referred to it as one of the greatest rap songs of all time.[2][3] In June 2021, "If I Ruled the World" was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, becoming Nas' first single to achieve this.[4][5]

Critical reception

In a retrospective review, Daryl McIntosh of Albumism noted "If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)" as "an example of the album's ambition", complimenting it for having "one of the most memorable choruses of the era."[6] Daisy & Havoc from Music Week's RM Dance Update rated it five out of five, commenting, "This one should do well right now for a handful of reasons — it features Lauryn Hill from Fugees, it's not dissimilar to Fugees and, most importantly of all, it's a really appealing track with an addictive chorus, some great vocals and a laid-back but still serious rap. Just hope it doesn't get forgotten in the rush."[7] David Fricke from Rolling Stone wrote that "New Yorker Nas beat hip-hop's sophomore jinx with the jaunty step and dead-sexy female chorus of 'If I Ruled the World', this summer's cruisin' smash." He added, "To suggest that the world would be a better place if cocaine came uncut [...] hardly qualifies as social enlightenment."[8]

Music video

The accompanying music video for "If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)" was directed by American director Hype Williams and designed by visual artist and designer Ron Norsworthy. It was released for the week ending on June 16, 1996. The video features cameos from Mobb Deep, AZ, Cormega and the Fugees.

Live performances

Nas and Lauryn Hill performed the song live at the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards on September 4, 1996. He performed the song live at the American Music Awards of 1997 on January 27, 1997.

Single track listing

  • US 12" vinyl
A1. "If I Ruled the World" (Main Mix) (4:42)
A2. "If I Ruled the World" (Instrumental) (4:34)
B1. "If I Ruled the World" (Clean Mix) (4:42)
B2. "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 Certification Certified units/sales
France (SNEP)[38] Gold 250,000*
Germany (BVMI)[39] Gold 250,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[40] Gold 5,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[41] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[42] Platinum 1,000,000‡

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ "If I Ruled the World - Nas | Credits". Allmusic. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  2. ^ "The Most Perfect Rap Song Ever Written: If I Ruled The World". Hip Hop Golden Age. 2017-06-23. Retrieved 2020-07-02.
  3. ^ "The greatest hip-hop songs of all time – who voted". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 2020-07-02.
  4. ^ "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved 2021-09-19.
  5. ^ "MC Serch Reveals He's Selling His Share Of Nas' Music Catalog, Including The Artist's Debut Album". news.yahoo.com. 18 October 2022. Retrieved 2022-10-19.
  6. ^ McIntosh, Daryl (June 27, 2021). "Nas' 'It Was Written' Turns 25 — Anniversary Retrospective". Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  7. ^ Daisy & Havoc (June 22, 1996). "Hot Vinyl" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 11. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  8. ^ Fricke, David (December 26, 1996-January 9, 1997). "The year in recordings". Rolling Stone. Issue 750/751.
  9. ^ "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – Week Ending 22 Sep 1996". ARIA. Retrieved April 30, 2020 – via Imgur.com. N.B. The HP column indicates the highest position reached.
  10. ^ "Nas – If I Ruled The World" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  11. ^ "Nas – If I Ruled The World" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  12. ^ "Nas – If I Ruled The World" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  13. ^ "Hits of the World". Billboard. November 16, 1996. p. 56. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
  14. ^ "Nas – If I Ruled The World" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  15. ^ "Nas – If I Ruled The World" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  16. ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (NR. 188 Vikuna 21.9. - 27.9. '96)" (PDF) (in Icelandic). Dagblaðið Vísir. Retrieved July 21, 2018. {{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  17. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 38, 1996" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  18. ^ "Nas – If I Ruled The World" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  19. ^ "Nas – If I Ruled The World". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  20. ^ "Nas – If I Ruled The World". VG-lista. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  21. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  22. ^ "Nas – If I Ruled The World". Singles Top 100. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  23. ^ "Nas – If I Ruled The World". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  24. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  25. ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  26. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  27. ^ "Nas Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  28. ^ "Nas Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  29. ^ "Nas Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  30. ^ "Rapports Annuels 1996". Ultratop. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  31. ^ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
  32. ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1996". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  33. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1996". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  34. ^ "End of Year Charts 1996". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
  35. ^ "Årslista Singlar – År 1996" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  36. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1996 – hitparade.ch". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  37. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1996". Billboard. 2 January 2013. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  38. ^ "French single certifications – Nas – If I Ruled The World" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
  39. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Nas; 'If I Ruled The World')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
  40. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Nas – If I Ruled the World". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
  41. ^ "British single certifications – Nas – If I Ruled the World". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  42. ^ "American single certifications – Nas – If I Ruled the World". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 24, 2021.

Read other articles:

Ivalo

Artikel ini sebatang kara, artinya tidak ada artikel lain yang memiliki pranala balik ke halaman ini.Bantulah menambah pranala ke artikel ini dari artikel yang berhubungan atau coba peralatan pencari pranala.Tag ini diberikan pada Maret 2016. Bandar udara Ivalo merupakan desa di Munisipalitas Inari, di Laplandia, letak Ivalo sekitar 20 km selatan Danau Inari. Penduduknya berjumlah 3.983 jiwa (2003) dan bandara kecil. 30 km Ivalo selatan terletak sangat terkenal tempat waktu luang be...

 

 

Hartley Wintney F.C.

Hartley WintneyNama lengkapHartley Wintney Football ClubJulukanThe RowBerdiri1897StadionThe Memorial Playing Fields, Hartley Wintney(Kapasitas: 2,000 (113 seated)[1])KetuaLuke MullenManajerAnthony Millerick & Daniel TurkingtonSitus webSitus web resmi klub Kostum kandang Kostum tandang Hartley Wintney Football Club adalah klub sepak bola semi-profesional yang berbasis di desa Hartley Wintney, Hampshire, Inggris. Mereka saat ini adalah anggota Southern League Premier Division S...

 

 

Kampanye Hindia Belanda

Kampanye Hindia BelandaBagian dari Perang Pasifik dari Perang Dunia IIKekuatan Jepang mendarat di Jawa.Tanggal8 Desember 1941 – 9 Maret 1942LokasiHindia BelandaHasil Kemenangan Jepang;Pendudukan Jepang di Hindia BelandaPihak terlibat ABDA Command: Belanda  Hindia Belanda  Britania Raya  Australia Selandia Baru Amerika Serikat  Kekaisaran JepangTokoh dan pemimpin Archibald Wavell A. T. van S. Stachouwer  Hein ter Poorten  Thomas C. Hart Conrad Helfrich...

Daftar Wakil Bupati Tanah Datar

Wakil Bupati Tanah DatarPetahanaRichi Aprian, S.H., M.H.sejak 26 Februari 2021KediamanRumah Dinas Wakil Bupati Tanah DatarMasa jabatan5 tahunDibentuk1961Pejabat pertamaH. MasriSitus webwww.tanahdatar.go.id Berikut ini adalah daftar Wakil Bupati Tanah Datar dari masa ke masa. No Foto Wakil Bupati Mulai Jabatan Akhir Jabatan Prd. Ket. Bupati 1 H.Masri 1961 1974 1   Brigjen TNI (Purn.) H.Mahyudin Algamar 2 Drs. H.MasnefiM.S. 26 September 2000 26 September 2005 2   H.Masriadi Martu...

 

 

Albtelecom

A major contributor to this article appears to have a close connection with its subject. It may require cleanup to comply with Wikipedia's content policies, particularly neutral point of view. Please discuss further on the talk page. (April 2013) (Learn how and when to remove this message) ALBtelecom sh.a.Company typePrivateIndustryTelecommunicationsFounded5 December 1912Defunct14 March 2023FateMerged with One TelecommunicationsSuccessorOne AlbaniaHeadquartersTirana, AlbaniaKey peopleErvin S...

 

 

The Nerve (magazine)

This article relies excessively on references to primary sources. Please improve this article by adding secondary or tertiary sources. Find sources: The Nerve magazine – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (August 2007) (Learn how and when to remove this message) The NerveEditor-In-ChiefBradley C. DamsgaardCategoriesMusicFrequencySix issues yearlyFounded1998Final issueDecember 2007CompanyNerve MagazineCountryCanadaBased inVancouverLanguage...

Crotona Park

Public park in the Bronx, New York Crotona ParkLocationSouth Bronx, New YorkCoordinates40°50′15″N 73°53′42″W / 40.83750°N 73.89500°W / 40.83750; -73.89500Area127.5 acres (51.6 ha)Created1888Operated byNew York City Department of Parks and RecreationOpen7 a.m. to 10 p.m.StatusopenPublic transit accessNew York City Subway: 174th Street (​ trains)New York City Bus: Bx11, Bx15, Bx17, Bx19, Bx21, Bx36 local buses Crotona Park is a public park...

 

 

Martin Luther King

Disambiguazione – Se stai cercando altri significati, vedi Martin Luther King (disambigua). Martin Luther King Jr. Premio Nobel per la pace 1964 Martin Luther King Jr., nato Michael King Jr. (Atlanta, 15 gennaio 1929 – Memphis, 4 aprile 1968), è stato un attivista, politico e pastore protestante statunitense, leader del movimento per i diritti civili degli afroamericani. Il suo nome viene accostato per la sua attività di pacifista a quello di Gandhi, il leader della non violenza di...

 

 

Provinsi Herat

Untuk ibukota provinsi Herat, lihat Herat (kota). Kota Herat Herāt adalah sebuah provinsi yang terletak di Afganistan barat, dan beribu kota di kota Herat. Kota Herat terletak di lembah Hari Rud. Populasi kota ini berjumlah 349.000.[1] Herat secara tradisional terkenal karena minuman anggurnya. Herat juga merupakan kota tua dengan banyak bangunan bersejarah, walaupun beberapa telah rusak karena berbagai konflik militer, contohnya Perang Soviet-Afganistan dan Perang Saudara Afganistan...

俄亥俄州

  「俄亥俄」重定向至此。关于其他用法，请见「俄亥俄 (消歧义)」。 俄亥俄州 美國联邦州State of Ohio 州旗州徽綽號：七葉果之州地图中高亮部分为俄亥俄州坐标：38°27'N－41°58'N, 80°32'W－84°49'W国家 美國加入聯邦1803年3月1日，在1953年8月7日追溯頒定（第17个加入联邦）首府哥倫布（及最大城市）政府 • 州长（英语：List of Governors of {{{Name}}}]]） •&...

 

 

Новотитаровское сельское поселение

Сельское поселение России (МО 2-го уровня)Новотитаровское сельское поселение Флаг[d] Герб 45°14′09″ с. ш. 38°58′16″ в. д.HGЯO Страна  Россия Субъект РФ Краснодарский край Район Динской Включает 4 населённых пункта Адм. центр Новотитаровская Глава сельского пос�...

 

 

Landstraße

For state roads in German-speaking countries, see Landesstraße. 3rd District of Vienna in AustriaLandstraße Laundstrossn (Bavarian)3rd District of Vienna Coat of armsLocation of the district within ViennaCountryAustriaCityViennaGovernment • District DirectorErich Hohenberger (SPÖ) • First DeputyRudolf Zabrana (SPÖ) • Second DeputyWerner Grebner (FPÖ) • Representation   (56 Members)SPÖ 22, FPÖ 12, Green 11, ÖVP 6, NEOS...

عمال الياقات البيضاء

هذه المقالة تحتاج للمزيد من الوصلات للمقالات الأخرى للمساعدة في ترابط مقالات الموسوعة. فضلًا ساعد في تحسين هذه المقالة بإضافة وصلات إلى المقالات المتعلقة بها الموجودة في النص الحالي. (يناير 2018) عمال الياقات البيضاء (بالإنجليزية: White-collar Workers)‏ هو مصطلح غربي يطلق على أولئك ا�...

 

 

مبادرات السلام الفاشلة العراقية

مفتش الأسلحة التابع للأمم المتحدة في العراق. بعد غزو العراق عام 2003، بدأ ظهور الأدلة على محاولات فاشلة من قبل الحكومة العراقية من أجل التوصل إلى حل سلمي للنزاع. محاولات صدام في ديسمبر 2002، ممثل رئيس الاستخبارات العراقية، اللواء طاهر جليل حبوش التكريتي، اتصل بالرئيس السابق ل�...

 

 

ماليزيا

  ماليزيا (بالملايوية: Malaysia)‏  ماليزياعلم ماليزيا ماليزياشعار ماليزيا   الشعار الوطني(بالملايوية: Bersekutu Bertambah Mutu)‏  النشيد:  النشيد الوطني الماليزي  الأرض والسكان إحداثيات 3°46′50″N 102°18′52″E / 3.7805111°N 102.31436166667°E / 3.7805111; 102.31436166667   [1] أعلى قمة ج...

Mastaba

Le mastaba de Khoufoukhaf Ier, fils et prêtre de Khéops - Gizeh. Le mastaba est un édifice funéraire égyptien servant de sépulture aux rois des deux premières dynasties[1], ainsi qu'aux hauts dignitaires, de l'époque archaïque au Moyen Empire. Ces tombes aériennes sont précédées dès l'Ancien Empire par des tombes souterraines logées à flanc de coteau en bordure des nécropoles, tels les hypogées et les syringes. Les vestiges à demi enfouis de ces énigmatiques construct...

 

 

Plusenergiehaus

Ein Plusenergiehaus ist mit einem Energieversorgungskonzept ausgestattet, welches ein ähnliches Ziel verfolgt, wie dies bei einem Nullenergiehaus der Fall ist. Dabei nimmt hier die jährliche Energiebilanz einen positiven Wert an: auf der Liegenschaft des Gebäudes wird mehr Energie gewonnen, als von außen über die Bilanzgrenze (zum Beispiel in Form von Elektrizität, Gas, Heizöl oder Holzbrennstoffen) bezogen wird. Die benötigte Energie für z. B. Heizung und Warmwasser wird im ode...

 

 

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Ann Arbor redirects here. For other uses, see Ann Arbor (disambiguation). City in Michigan, United StatesAnn ArborCityAnn Arbor skylineUniversity of MichiganMichigan TheaterHuron River National Water TrailGerald R. Ford Presidential Library FlagSealNicknames: A2, A2, Tree Town, People's Republic of Ann ArborInteractive map of Ann ArborAnn ArborShow map of MichiganAnn ArborShow map of the United StatesCoordinates: 42°16′53″N 83°44′54″W / 42.28139°N 83.74833°W&#...

Giovanni Giorgio di Brandeburgo

Questa voce o sezione sull'argomento nobili tedeschi non cita le fonti necessarie o quelle presenti sono insufficienti. Puoi migliorare questa voce aggiungendo citazioni da fonti attendibili secondo le linee guida sull'uso delle fonti. Giovanni Giorgio di BrandeburgoLucas Cranach il Giovane, ritratto di Giovanni Giorgio di Brandeburgo, 1564. Dresda, Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister.Principe elettore di BrandeburgoStemma In carica3 gennaio 1571 –8 gennaio 1598 PredecessoreGioacchino I...

 

 

Read My Lips (Dottie West song)

1986 single by Marie OsmondRead My LipsSingle by Marie Osmondfrom the album There's No Stopping Your Heart B-sideThat Old Devil MoonReleasedMarch 29, 1986GenreCountryLength3:46LabelCapitol/CurbSongwriter(s)Marc Blatte, Larry GottliebProducer(s)Paul WorleyMarie Osmond singles chronology There's No Stopping Your Heart (1985) Read My Lips (1986) You're Still New to Me (1986) Read My Lips is a song written by Marc Blatte and Larry Gottlieb, and first recorded by American country music artist Dott...