It Was Written

If I Ruled the World

Nas

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

End

182

Internal

Multi

280

Slant

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight

[Chorus: Lauryn Hill & Nas]

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)^✦

[Verse 2: Nas]

The way to 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

Seein' things like I was controllin', clique rollin'^✦

Trickin' six-digits on kicks and still holdin'^✦

Trips to Paris,^✦ I'd civilize every^✦ savage^✦

Give me 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 sound foul, but every^✦ girl I meet'd go down-town

I'd open^✦ every^✦ cell in Attica,^✦ send 'em to Africa^✦ (Africa)^✦

[Chorus: Lauryn Hill & Nas]

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)^✦

[Bridge: Lauryn Hill]

And then, we'll walk right up to the sun, hand in hand (Hand)

We'll walk right up to the sun, we won't land (Land)

We'll walk right up to the sun, hand in hand (Hand)

We'll walk right up to the sun, we won't land (Land)

[Verse 3: Nas]

You love to hear the story^✦ how the thugs live in worry^✦

Ducked^✦ down in car seats, heat's mandatory

Runnin'^✦ from Jake, getting chased,^✦ hunger^✦ for papes^✦

These are the breaks, many^✦ mistakes go down outta^✦ 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'd push a Q45 Infinit'

It wouldn't be no such thing as jealousies,^✦ or B Felony^✦

Strictly livin'^✦ longevity^✦ to the destiny

I thought I'd never^✦ see, but reality^✦ struck

Better^✦ find out before^✦ your time's^✦ out, what the fuck?!

[Chorus: Lauryn Hill & Nas]

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)^✦

[Outro: Lauryn Hill]

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)^✦

Technical Breakdown

9.1

Multisyllabic Rhymes9.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres7.5

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm10.0

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity7.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control9.0

Performance and control

Computed Score9.08

Production

— Trackmasters, Samuel Barnes, Jean-Claude Olivier

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Critic Analysis

RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Nas balances aspirational materialism with profound socio-political subtext, utilizing a relaxed yet precise flow that defines the '96 New York aesthetic.

A+

9.5

Multisyllabic

9.5

Internal Rhymes

Cadence / Flow

Vocabulary

7.5

Wordplay

Delivery

Internal multi-syllabic rhymingAssonant chain linkingPolitical imagery juxtapositionRhythmic pocket maintenance

Rhyme Architecture: Predominantly AABB coupled with heavy internal multi-syllabic rhymes that connect disparate concepts (e.g., 'civilize/savage' and 'lavish').

Verified Doubles & Entendres

"reverse fiends to Willies"

① The literal transition of drug-addicted individuals into prosperous figures (Willies, slang for wealthy/successful street entrepreneurs).② A socio-economic reversal of systemic decay, using the 'Willie' archetype as a symbol of restored agency and capital in impoverished communities.

"civilize every savage"

① The colonial/imperial concept of bringing Western 'order' to indigenous populations.② A subversive reclamation where Nas, as a 'ruler', uses the resources of the state to educate and elevate those marginalized as 'savages' by history.

Masterful cadence control within a laid-back pocket

Seamless integration of luxury lifestyle and social commentary

Exceptional rhythmic consistency across lines

Vocabulary remains focused on lifestyle signifiers rather than complex lyrical abstraction

Some metaphors serve as imagery rather than deep conceptual exploration

User Scores

Notes

Nas and Lauryn Hill's utopian anthem. The Kurtis Blow flip and Hill's hook make this a hip-hop classic