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	May 28, 1996
Format	CD single
Recorded	1995
Genre	Hip hop
Length	4:42
Label	Columbia
Writer(s)	Nasir Jones Jean-Claude Olivier Kurtis Walker Samuel Barnes
Producer	Trackmasters Rashad Smith
Nas featuring Lauryn Hill singles chronology
"One Love" (1994) "'If I Ruled The World (Imagine That)" (feat. Lauryn Hill) (1996) "Street Dreams" (1996)
It Was Written track listing "Live Nigga Rap" (13) "'If I Ruled The World (Imagine That)" (14) "Silent Murder" (15)

"If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)" is a 1996 hit hip hop single by Nas featuring Lauryn Hill of The Fugees. 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".

"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 became a Top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart (number 6), Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks (number 17) chart, and the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks chart (number 15).

2Pac Issue

Main article: East Coast – West Coast hip hop rivalry#2Pac vs. others

2Pac recorded two songs, 'Troublesome 96' & 'Friendz' using samples from Whodini 'Friends'; a song which Nas had sampled for 'If I Ruled The World'. In 'Against All Odds' Tupac addresses Nas saying "you heard my melody".

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)"