If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)

In a retrospective review, Daryl McIntosh of Albumism noted "If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)" as "an example of the album's ambition", complimenting it for having "one of the most memorable choruses of the era."{{cite web|url=https://www.albumism.com/features/nas-it-was-written-turns-25-anniversary-retrospective|date=June 27, 2021|first=Daryl|last=McIntosh|title=Nas' 'It Was Written' Turns 25 — Anniversary Retrospective|accessdate=October 3, 2021}} Daisy & Havoc from Music Week's RM Dance Update rated it five out of five, commenting, "This one should do well right now for a handful of reasons — it features Lauryn Hill from Fugees, it's not dissimilar to Fugees and, most importantly of all, it's a really appealing track with an addictive chorus, some great vocals and a laid-back but still serious rap. Just hope it doesn't get forgotten in the rush."{{cite magazine|author=Daisy & Havoc|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1996/Music-Week-1996-06-22.pdf|first=|last=|title=Hot Vinyl|magazine=Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert)|date=June 22, 1996|page=11|accessdate=August 22, 2021}} David Fricke from Rolling Stone wrote that "New Yorker Nas beat hip-hop's sophomore jinx with the jaunty step and dead-sexy female chorus of 'If I Ruled the World', this summer's cruisin' smash." He added, "To suggest that the world would be a better place if cocaine came uncut [...] hardly qualifies as social enlightenment."Fricke, David (December 26, 1996-January 9, 1997). "The year in recordings". Rolling Stone. Issue 750/751.

The accompanying music video for "If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)" was directed by American director Hype Williams and designed by visual artist and designer Ron Norsworthy. It was released for the week ending on June 16, 1996. The video features cameos from Mobb Deep, AZ, Cormega and the Fugees.

Nas and Lauryn Hill performed the song live at the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards on September 4, 1996. He performed the song live at the American Music Awards of 1997 on January 27, 1997.

• US 12" vinyl

:A1. "If I Ruled the World" (Main Mix) (4:42)

:A2. "If I Ruled the World" (Instrumental) (4:34)

:B1. "If I Ruled the World" (Clean Mix) (4:42)

:B2. "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)"

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|title=If I Ruled The World| artist=Nas|type=single|award=Gold|access-date=August 30, 2013|relyear=1996|certyear=1996}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|title=If I Ruled The World| artist=Nas|type=single|award=Gold|access-date=August 30, 2013|relyear=1996|certyear=1996}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand| artist=Nas|title=If I Ruled The World (Imagine That)|type=single|relyear=1996|certyear=2022|source=radioscope|access-date=April 3, 2025|award=Platinum}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Nas|title=If I Ruled the World|award=Silver|id=17494-1231-1|relyear=2004|certyear=2021|access-date=September 10, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Nas|title=If I Ruled the World|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=1996|certyear=2021|accessdate=June 24, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Nas singles}}

{{Lauryn Hill}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:If I Ruled The World (Imagine That)}}

Category:1996 singles

Category:Music videos directed by Hype Williams

Category:Nas songs

Category:Lauryn Hill songs

Category:Songs written by Nas

Category:Songs written by Samuel Barnes (songwriter)

Category:Songs written by Jean-Claude Olivier

Category:1996 songs

Category:Columbia Records singles

Category:Song recordings produced by Trackmasters