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If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)

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"If I Ruled the World"
Song

"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". It is considered one of the best rap songs ever by many publications. Including being 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

Chart (1996) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA Singles Chart)[1] 100
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[2] 30
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[3] 21
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[4] 11
France (SNEP)[5] 4
songid field is MANDATORY FOR GERMAN CHARTS 4
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[6] 9
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[7] 2
Norway (VG-lista)[8] 5
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[9] 3
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[10] 7
UK Singles (OCC)[11] 12
US Billboard Hot 100[12] 53
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[13] 17
US Hot Rap Singles (Billboard)[14] 15

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
France (SNEP)[15] Gold 250,000*
Germany (BVMI)[16] Gold 250,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988-2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  2. ^ "Nas – If I Ruled The World" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  3. ^ "Nas – If I Ruled The World" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  4. ^ "Nas – If I Ruled The World" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  5. ^ "Nas – If I Ruled The World" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  6. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 38, 1996" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  7. ^ "Nas – If I Ruled The World". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  8. ^ "Nas – If I Ruled The World". VG-lista. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  9. ^ "Nas – If I Ruled The World". Singles Top 100. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  10. ^ "Nas – If I Ruled The World". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  11. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  12. ^ "Nas Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  13. ^ "Nas Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  14. ^ "Nas – Awards". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved October 2, 2012. {{cite web}}: templatestyles stripmarker in |work= at position 1 (help)
  15. ^ "French single certifications – Nas – If I Ruled The World" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
  16. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Nas; 'If I Ruled The World')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
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