"Rok the Nation" is a song by Swedish electronic music duo Rob'n'Raz featuring rapper Leila K, released in March 1990 by BMG as the second single from their debut album, Rob'n'Raz feat. Leila K (1990). It peaked at number three in both Sweden and Finland. Additionally, the song was a top-20 hit in the Netherlands and Switzerland, and a top-30 hit in Ireland and West Germany. In the UK, "Rok the Nation" reached number 41 on the UK Singles Chart.[1]
| "Rok the Nation" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Rob'n'Raz feat. Leila K | ||||
| from the album Rob'n'Raz feat. Leila K | ||||
| Released | March 1990 | |||
| Genre | Hip hop | |||
| Label | BMG | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Rob'n'Raz, Leila K, MC II Fresh | |||
| Rob'n'Raz feat. Leila K singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Rok the Nation" on YouTube | ||||
Critical reception
Mick Mercer from Melody Maker commented, "Ah, now here's something interesting. Leila K [...] has a nice voice that made "Got to Get" the little fun bundle that it was. This is more interesting, with some studiously sharp vocals and a chintzy keyboard carpet pattern for her to rub the dirt into. It's tougher than you'd expect with lovely trumpet touches and a successful plunge down to the rhythm near the end followed by some fast, oddly stippled vocal delivery."[2]
David Giles from Music Week wrote, "The team that sneaked a surprise hit with the recent "Got to Get" follow up with a track that is heavy enough to please clubbers but with enough hooks to succeed chartwise again. The drum machine break sounds suspiciously similar in Japan's "Vision Of China" though..."[3] Siân Pattenden from Smash Hits felt that "this is harder, dare I say funkier than 'Got to Get'".[4]
Versions
- Rok The Dancefloor 6:52
- Radio Edit 3:43
- SweMix Club Version 5:20
- Panik Mix 6:08
- Funk-E-Drummer Mix 6:11
- Like A Drum Mix 3:42
Charts
| Chart (1990) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[5] | 79 |
| Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[6] | 41 |
| Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[7] | 3 |
| Ireland (IRMA)[8] | 21 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[9] | 16 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[10] | 23 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[11] | 3 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[12] | 13 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[13] | 41 |
| West Germany (Official German Charts)[14] | 21 |