When discussing the zenith of rap artistry, certain songs transcend mere popularity to become cultural touchstones. Nas’s “If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)” stands firmly in this pantheon. Released in 1996 as a single from his sophomore album, It Was Written, this track not only solidified Nas’s position in hip-hop but also crafted a sonic blueprint for aspirational anthems. While Illmatic is often lauded as his magnum opus, “If I Ruled the World” offered a more accessible entry point for many, including myself, and its resonance continues to amplify with time. This song isn’t just a track; it’s a perfectly constructed piece of musical art, akin to Prince’s “Take Me With U” in its flawless execution.
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To understand the enduring appeal of “If I Ruled The World Song”, we must delve into its intricate layers. The song immediately establishes its hip-hop pedigree with nods to legends like Whodini and Kurtis Blow, cleverly sampling The Friends of Distinction’s “Friends.” Adding to its brilliance is the chorus sung by Lauryn Hill, lending a soulful and melodic counterpoint to Nas’s gritty verses. However, these elements are mere enhancements; the lyrical prowess at the heart of the song is what truly elevates it. Nas, in his youthful idealism, channels a modern-day Langston Hughes, painting vivid pictures of aspiration and societal reflection without succumbing to cynicism.
Before the beat even drops, Nas sets a contemplative tone with the opening lines, “Life, I wonder will it take me under? I don’t know.” This vulnerability immediately grounds the fantastical premise of the song in a relatable reality.
Verse 1: Hedonistic Dreams and Stark Realities
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
Trooping 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 holding 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”
The first verse of “if i ruled the world song” operates as an entryway into Nas’s imaginative landscape. It’s a tapestry woven with hedonistic fantasies – legal cannabis, luxury cruises, designer fashion, and financial abundance. The Scarface reference with “The World Is Mine” blimp adds a layer of cinematic aspiration. Yet, amidst these desires, Nas subtly threads in darker realities: police harassment, racial disparities (“they want us all gone eventually”), and the allure of the drug trade. This verse mirrors the daydreams of a young man, particularly one growing up in challenging circumstances, where fantasies of escape are intertwined with the harshness of everyday life. The raw desires for freedom and pleasure are palpable, reflecting a stage of youthful yearning.
Verse 2: Expanding the Vision with Social Consciousness
The way to be, paradise like relaxin’
Black, Latino and Anglo-Saxon
Armani Exchange deranged
Cash, Lost Tribe of Shabazz, free at last
Brand new whips to crash, then we laugh in the 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 controllin’, click rollin’
Tricking six digits on kicks and still holdin’
Trips to Paris, I civilized every savage
Give me one shot, I turn trife life to lavish
Political prisoner set free, stress free
No work release, purple M3’s and jet skis
Feel the wind breeze in West Indies
I make 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”
Verse two of “if i ruled the world song” broadens the scope of Nas’s vision, incorporating themes of unity and social change. He envisions a paradise of racial harmony (“Black, Latino and Anglo-Saxon”) and liberation (“political prisoner set free”). While luxury and indulgence persist (“Benz stretches,” “Trips to Paris”), they are now juxtaposed with a desire for societal betterment. The line “Open they eyes to the lies history’s told foul” reveals a consciousness of systemic injustice and a yearning for truth and enlightenment. Even playful lines like “every girl I meet’d go downtown” are delivered with a certain swagger, but the underlying current is a desire to uplift and transform his world. The inclusion of Coretta Scott King as mayor symbolizes a desire for righteous leadership and positive change.
The Bridge: Lauryn Hill’s Gospel Infusion
The bridge, sung by Lauryn Hill, is a masterstroke of musical arrangement. Interpolating The Delfonics’ “Walk Right Up To The Sun,” Hill’s vocals inject a gospel-like fervor into the track. This elevates “if i ruled the world song” beyond a mere rap fantasy, imbuing it with a spiritual and almost sacred quality. Lauryn Hill’s contribution is pivotal; her soulful delivery acts as the emotional core of the song, transforming it into an anthem of hope and aspiration. Imagining anyone else on this hook, as the original article suggests, underscores just how perfectly Hill’s voice complements the track’s themes.
Verse 3: The Hustler’s Reality and the Dreamer’s Escape
You’d love to hear the story how the thugs live in worry
Duck down in car seats, heat’s mandatory
Running from Jake, getting 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
Trying to get laced, flip the ace, stack the safe
Millionaire plan to keep the gat with the cocked hammer
Making moves in Atlanta, back-and-forth scrambler
‘Cause you could have all the chips, be poor or rich
Still nobody want a n**** having s***
If I ruled the world and everything in it, sky’s the limit
I push a Q-45 Infinit(i)
It wouldn’t be no such thing as jealousies or B Felonies
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**?”
In the final verse of “if i ruled the world song”, Nas brings the listener back to earth, contrasting the dream with the harsh realities of the “hustler lifestyle.” He paints a vivid picture of paranoia, danger, and the constant struggle for survival. Lines like “thugs live in worry” and “running from Jake, getting chased” starkly juxtapose the earlier fantasies of wealth and ease. This verse serves as a crucial counterpoint, acknowledging the listener’s lived experiences while still offering the aspirational message of escape. The powerful lines “If I ruled the world and everything in it, sky’s the limit” encapsulate the song’s core message: the potential to transcend limitations and achieve a better reality. This is hip-hop’s version of John Lennon’s “Imagine,” a call for a better world rooted in the experiences of the streets.
The Music Video: Balancing Fantasy and Reality
The music video for “If I Ruled the World” visually reinforces the song’s thematic balance. It juxtaposes images of everyday people in Nas’s neighborhood with glimpses of the aspirational lifestyle he raps about. The rooftop limo shots, as highlighted in the original article, symbolize Nas’s success while anchoring him to his roots. This visual duality mirrors the song’s lyrical content, grounding the fantasy in the relatable reality of its audience. The video’s effectiveness lies in its empathy, showcasing both the dreams and the everyday lives of the community Nas represents.
A Hip-Hop Anthem of Upliftment
“If I Ruled the World song” arrived at a pivotal moment in hip-hop, just before materialism and “bling rap” began to dominate the mainstream. In this context, the song stands out as an attempt to uplift rather than flaunt. It’s an invitation for listeners to dream beyond their circumstances, to envision a better world, and to believe in the possibility of personal and collective elevation. Nas achieves this without resorting to naivete or corniness, crafting a song that is both aspirational and grounded in reality. It’s a testament to the song’s enduring power that it remains as impactful today as it was upon its release, solidifying its status as a true hip-hop masterpiece. In a discography filled with iconic tracks, “If I Ruled the World” shines as a beacon of hope and a testament to the transformative power of dreams.
