If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)
Lauryn Hill, Nas
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Life I wonder Will it take me under I don't know Imagine smoking weed in the streets without cops harassin' Imagine going to court with no trial Lifestyle, cruising blue Bahama waters No welfare supporters, more conscious of the way we raise our daughters Days are shorter, nights are colder Feeling like life is over, these snakes strike like a cobra The world's hot, my son got knocked Evidently, it's elementary, they want us all gone eventually Troopin' out of state for a plate of knowledge If coke was cooked without the garbage, we'd all have the top dollars Imagine everybody flashin' fashion, designer clothes Lacing your clique up with diamond Roles Your people holdin' dough, no parole, no rubbers Go in raw, imagine law with no undercovers Just some thoughts for the mind I take a glimpse into time Watch the blimp read, "The World Is Mine" If I ruled the world (imagine that) I'd free all my sons, I love 'em, love 'em, baby Black diamonds and pearls (Could it be, if you could be mine, we'd both shine) If I ruled the world (Still livin' for today, in these last days and times) Yo, it'd be, paradise life, relaxin' Black, Latino and Anglo-Saxon Armani Exchange, the Range Cash, Lost Tribe of Shabazz free at last Brand new whips to crash, then we laugh in a iller path The Villa house is for the crew, how we do Trees for breakfast, dime sexes and Benz stretches So many years of depression make me vision The better livin', type of place to raise kids in Open they eyes to the lies, history's told foul But I'm as wise as the old owl, plus the Gold Child Seeing things like I was controlling, clique rollin' Trickin' six digits on kicks and still holdin' Trips to Paris, I'd civilize every savage Give one shot, I turn trife life to lavish Political prisoners set free, stress free No work release, purple M3's and jet skis Feel the wind breeze in West Indies I'd let Coretta Scott-King mayor the cities and reverse fiends to Willies It sounds foul, but every girl I meet'd go downtown I'd open every cell in Attica, send 'em to Africa If I ruled the world (imagine that) I'd free all my sons, I love 'em, love 'em, baby Black diamonds and pearls (Could it be, if you could be mine, we'd both shine) If I ruled the world (Still livin' for today, in these last days and times) And then we'll walk right up to the sun, hand in hand We'll walk right up to the sun, we won't land We'll walk right up to the sun, hand in hand We'll walk right up to the sun, we won't land You love to hear the story how the thugs live in worry Duck down in car seats, heat's mandatory Runnin' from Jake, gettin' chased, hunger for papes These are the breaks, many mistakes go down out of state Wait, I had to let it marinate, we carry weight Tryna get laced, flip the ace, stack the safe Millionaire plan to keep the gat with the cocked hammer Makin' moves in Atlanta, back and forth scrambler 'Cause you could have all the chips, be poor or rich Still nobody want a nigga havin' shit If I ruled the world and everything in it, sky's the limit I push the Q-45 Infinit' It wouldn't be no such thing as jealousies, or B felony Strictly living longevity to the destiny I thought I'd never see, but reality struck Better find out before your time's out, what the f*ck If I ruled the world (imagine that) I'd free all my sons, I love 'em, love 'em, baby Black diamonds and pearls (Could it be, if you could be mine, we'd both shine) If I ruled the world (Still livin' for today, in these last days and times) If I ruled the world, if I ruled, if I ruled (imagine that) I'd free all my sons, if I ruled, if I ruled I love 'em, love 'em, baby Black diamonds and pearls, black diamonds, black diamonds (Could it be, if you could be mine, we'd both shine) If I ruled the world (Still livin' for today, in these last days and times) If I ruled the world, if I ruled, if I ruled I'd free all my sons, black diamonds I love 'em, love 'em, baby Black diamonds and pearls, if I ruled If I ruled the world If I ruled the world I love 'em, love 'em, baby
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Written by: Samuel J. Barnes, Allan Wayne Felder, Norman Ray Harris, Jalil Hutchins, Nasir Jones, Aaron O'Bryant, Jean Claude Olivier, David Franklin Reeves, Lawrence Smith, Kurtis Walker
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing, Cloud9, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
15 facts about this song
Initial Release"If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)" is a single by Nas, initially released in 1996.
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Album AffiliationThe song is off Nas's second studio album, "It Was Written".
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Chart PerformanceUpon its release, the song peaked at number 53 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, Nas's highest-charting single at the time.
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CollaborationThe track features R&B singer Lauryn Hill from the popular group, 'The Fugees'.
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Grammy Nomination"If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)" was nominated for a Grammy award in 1997 for Best Rap Solo Performance.
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Kurtis Blow CoverIt's a revamp of the 1985 classic "If I Ruled the World" by hip hop pioneer Kurtis Blow.
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Musical StyleThis song is renowned for its smooth blend of rap and R&B, combining Nas's socially-conscious verses with Lauryn Hill's soulful hook.
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Political MessageThe lyrics express Nas's ideas for a better world if he was given ultimate power, touching upon issues of poverty, racism, and societal structure.
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Music VideoThe video for "If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)" features Nas and Lauryn Hill in a paradise-like setting, portraying a utopian world which aligns with the song's message.
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LegacyDespite its initial mixed reviews, the song is now considered one of Nas's signature tracks and is notable for its influence on hip-hop music.
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SamplingThe song samples the Whodini track "Friends".
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Track ProducersIt was produced by Rashad Smith and Poke & Tone, acclaimed for their work in the hip-hop industry.
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Cultural Impact"If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)” plays a significant role in hip-hop's venture into mainstream popular music in the late '90s.
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Critics' ReviewsIt was initially criticized for its commercial sound, a departure from Nas's raw and gritty debut album "Illmatic". However, it has since been hailed as a classic, with its positive and forward-thinking lyrics.
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Continual PopularityMore than two decades after its release, "If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)" continues to be a favorite among fans and is a staple in both Nas's and Lauryn Hill's live performances.
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Citation
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