It Was Written
If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)
Nas
Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis
22
End
182
Internal
99
Multi
280
Slant
12
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, Rashad SmithBe the first to rate the production
Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™
Nas balances high-level rhythmic density with a visionary, aspirational narrative, effectively grounding utopian fantasies in the concrete linguistic reality of 1996 street culture.
A+
9.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
10
Cadence / Flow
7
Vocabulary
7.5
Wordplay
9
Delivery
Multisyllabic internal rhymingAssonance-heavy rhythmic flowsSocio-political metaphor integrationEnjambment-driven cadences
Rhyme Architecture: A sophisticated AAAA pattern driven by multi-syllabic end-rhymes (paradise/Saxon/Exchange/Shabazz/last/path) anchored by heavy internal slant-rhyme clusters that emphasize his rhythmic pocket.
Verified Doubles & Entendres
"reverse fiends to Willies"
① The literal transformation of drug addicts into successful entrepreneurs or powerful men (Willie Lynch/Willie culture as a proxy for status).② A socio-economic reversal where the victims of the 'war on drugs' are rehabilitated and empowered to control their own capital.
"history's told foul / But I'm as wise as the old owl, plus the Gold Child"
① Reference to the 'Gold Child' in occult or street-mythology contexts representing innocence or a chosen leader.② A direct juxtaposition between the corrupt institutional narrative (foul history) and the enlightened perspective of the speaker (wise owl).
Exceptional cadence and pocket management
Vivid, aspirational imagery that avoids pure escapism
Seamless integration of sociopolitical figures with street-level luxury signifiers
Fluid, rhythmic delivery that feels effortless yet precise
Occasional reliance on conventional luxury tropes (Benzes/kicks/jets)
Vocabulary is accessible rather than challenging, adhering to his 'everyman' visionary persona