“If I Ruled” by Ray Gibbz is Hip-Hop When Refusing to Stay Small

Other artists want a seat at a table. Ray Gibbz flips it instead with no apologies. That defines the entirety of his latest release, If I Ruled.

For a self-taught producer, songwriter, and rapper emerging from San Diego, Nas’ If I Ruled the World becomes a clear touchpoint in shaping Ray Gibbz’s vision for this track. Representing the new generation of DIY musicians, If I Ruled serves as a testament to independent hip-hop driven by raw talent and determination.

There are intricate layers right from the start. But this subtlety in the beats isn’t about minimalism; it’s contrast. As if it’s making space for Gibbz’s blunt, unfiltered delivery to be the center of it all. Throughout the track, he tears down the oppressive system, reimagining a world where reparations are handed out, communities are fed, and the capitalistic snakes are cut off at the head. And yes, it sounds idealistic, but really, what if it isn’t?

What stands out about this track is its ambition. Because what is hip-hop without the audacity? Or without the ability to protest and question the world it exists in? It’s messy and bold, and that’s exactly the point. Because when a song isn’t trying to be neutral or balanced, it becomes less like a dream and more like a vision that feels bigger than it actually is.

Overall, if you want hip-hop that refuses to stay small, If I Ruled by Ray Gibbz delivers nothing less.