Nas - It Ain't Hard To Tell

[hillsonger]

this song gets me pumped. when i rap along to it, you can bet i got them rap hands poppin. look at his body language, though: he's so collected, so chill, almost melancholy. maybe this song means something different to him than what it does to me.

[genenyviv]

Nice phone.



[jessesam]

jay was right..one nice album in ten years

[superroc23]

@jessesam jay was right ????? are u retarded it was written was a classic and stillmaic also with solid albums thats 3 classic albums in his whole carrer that's yet to be topped. and besides of course it's hard to beat illmatic aka the best hip hop album of all-time. think outside the box if it was wriiten was his first album then illmatic was his second you woud not be saying that , don't be ignornt respect will be given nas is the best mc of all time and dammit i said it best lyricist eva .

[MichaelOfAnthony]

someone with street knowledge define "buddha monk" for me.

[DemonZero4211]

Nas is a great Rapper, Because he went to hard struggles in life, being influenced by the gang life,guns and drugs and yet he is one of the smartest rapper because he is intelligent with knowledge. Having The greatest Vocabulary in hip Hop History.

[BossyBitchification]

Classic

[greatkillsny]

Best hip hop era

[greatkillsny]

This was the era of the best hip hop

[AaronRana1]

MCGETLOW lol couldnt have said it better myself.

[MCGETLOW]

Only 500k views....this should be viewed more than any lady gaga or other shiz, it's classic, we have to appreciate for this kinda music.

[Park0ur12]

No MoTv1 :):):) NAS FOR LIFE!

[blitzvomitew16]

this may sound "dated" to you new cats.

BUT this was the type of shit that ppl were jammin' to in the 90's.

wearing rainbow colors...that red is fucking bright as hell LOL...and that big ass cell-phone.

[blitzvomitew16]

Nas been in the game since 1991.

He was a underground artist hopping on other dudes tracks...BUT the reason he stood out alot was because he was doing a better job then the main person was.

Then when he did "Halftime" his 1st record that was only him rapping...everybody was like "He's the one! somebody get this man a record-deal ASAP!"

& "Aint hard to tell" just made it clear he was GOAT.

VERY few artist get called "the best to ever do it" after their debut album.

[PoorManzProductions]

this beat doesnt do tha lyrics justice,

[juliustaylor86]

Classic song! It ain't hard to tell!

[saigondakar]

lol

ILLMATTIC

IT WAS WRITTEN

I AM

STILLMATIC

EVERY ALBUM COME OUT SINCE STILLMATIC

THE ILLEST,REALEST CATALOG IN RAP,DOESN'T ?

GOAT

[MootPoon817]

How come Nas doesn't have the mole on his cheek here but when he got around the Stillmatic era, he has it?

[blitzvomitew16]

@MootPoon817

he was 19 in this video...he started creating illmatic when he was 17..he met large pro when he was 16.

illmatic came out when he had just turned 20.

[TheLazboi]

Nice song

[xJT94x]

this shit is garbage... overrated af

[GuerreroBestEver]

@xJT94x the beat isnt that great for a normal fan... lyrics wise, not overrated by any means. sick scheme, rhyming pattern, flow and at the time, originality. fuck off nerd.

[XxEAZYxExX]

@GuerreroBestEver LOL What are you talking about dude? The beat is superb, every track on illmatic has a sick beat accompanied by ill lyrics.

[GuerreroBestEver]

@XxEAZYxExX Almost every beat. Dunno why, always hated that beat on illmatic. Worst track for me on the album.

[powersurge001]

the best song to end the best rap album ever...

[flipgood89]

@powersurge001 ....I think its the greatest hip hop song of all time, next to I used to love her. This is absolutely perfect.

[destr0n]

Check out The 90's Live Here Facebook page for hip-hop, R&B, and all things 90's!

[ljohnson0725]

Queens all day!!! Wow I loved the east coast period. But on the real side of things. What happened to hip hop. It's sad. I am 34 year old. The golden 90's where you had to have rhymes, lyrics. Now you have to suck with tight jeans and look like a bitch. I really miss real east coast hip hop:(

[sevenstardust]

@ljohnson0725 Jay Cole and Jay Electronica etc young cats holding it down.

[MIZARC215]

@ljohnson0725 Real talk...Philly, Jersey, New York Stand the fuck up...Bring real rap back!!!

[ss2lakhan]

This is why Nas is my most favourite rapper. Intelligent lyrics with liquid flow and flawless delivery.

[gioisblue]

@ss2lakhan

nuff said

[TrainHitsDymanite]

classic. i love this track. 

[Muzikman127]

I think my woofer's gonna blow.

[RayAllen225]

it aint hard to tell, i excell and prevail, my mic is contact so i attract clientel.....

[hans0l0d0l0]

Real rap is all about parkas and tims not louis backpacks and air jordans.

[damiggggs]

@hans0l0d0l0 what do you know about rap fool youre probably some weak ass nigga that grew up in that era

[hans0l0d0l0]

@damiggggs I'm not going to have an argument with some fag who thinks he knows more than me.

[damiggggs]

@hans0l0d0l0 lol well with that stupid ass slick comment you made it seemed like you came here for an argument.. Just shut the fuck up and dont listen if its not of your preference, that is all. No beef haha

[hans0l0d0l0]

@damiggggs I'm not trying to have a stupid ass argument over youtube with some faggot who thinks they know more than me.

[globaltrance86]

@hans0l0d0l0 so real rap is about clothes? 

[SinninCincinnati]

@hans0l0d0l0 Real rap is about Knowledge...........Nasty

[praxybr]

@hans0l0d0l0 Real Hiphop* is about a lot more than parkas and tims

[DemonZero4211]

@hans0l0d0l0 Black Hoodies, Vests and Nike Classics instead of Louis wallets Gucci Belts and New air jordans.

[OmarwanM]

@hans0l0d0l0 No, real Hip-Hop* is about your community, getting rid of poverty, encouraging education, fighting crime and expressing love and feelings in general.

[hillsonger]

@OmarwanM dig

[1drake1231]

@hans0l0d0l0 Pac loved Jordans how is he not real

[TheHighwayRider]

this is rap

[KDIZZZZY08]

Defiantely my fav song and video...nuffin flashy jus real hip hop Nas ju'heard

[luminuz77]

@wondoctorj Big ups to ol' school skullies with the brim!

[WONDOCTORJ]

One time for late 80's early 90's cell phones

[MrSirSnoozealot]

begin like a violin, end like Leviathan

[MrSirSnoozealot]

begin like a violin, end like Leviathan

[lOvelyyKi]

eargasm to the max <3

[zerkrxagent]

lmao that cell phone kills me each time i watch this vid lolz big as helllll!

[AreJeezy]

drink moet with medussa, give her shotguns in hell...from the spliff that i lift and inhale- it aint hard to tell.

[nafchod]

I remember listening to this album for the first time and my ears and brain literally could not keep up with his flow. It was like trying to catch an illusive running back that wouldn't stop moving.

[spetsnaz5]

Is this premo, pete rock or someone else?

[HipHopPurist90]

@spetsnaz5 Neither. Its Large Professor. Check out his album "The LP" if you want to hear more of his stuff. One of my favorite mc/producers.

[oDILLINGERo]

G.O.A.T...... PERIOD....

[BEyondDaGamer]

16 people go ***ed by MTV

[BasseMedia]

This used to be the track id listen to before I did my open mic back in 2007

[RippedBox]

I don;t like most rap but this is good music, unlike the shit that is produced today.

[TheMadTruth]

NAS IS WHAT REAL TRUE HIP HOP

FUCK LIL WAYNE

FUCK GUCCI MANE

FUCK SOULJA BOY

[guasto47]

@TheMadTruth Wayne is better than Gucci mane and Soulja boy, to be real.

[messi10zidane5]

Real Rap.

[Ashtrizzlesky]

Nas performed Illmatic last night!

[haitianparadise]

i love this song to pieces.

[OrganicShadow]

"Begin like a violin, and end like Leviathan"

You can't hear lyrics like this anymore...

[BarackObama226]

NaS, King Poetic

[MoxicoMC]

My cousin back in the day went to NY ( ASTORIA) and he came back to me and said, son, listen to this track,its a cat named NAS...I was like...Whoa! The kid rocks th mic...It was 93 and those were the good old days...Im a fan ever since...

[111kyle]

16 people are deaf

[kctmbs78]

The best lyricist ever. You must like Soldier Boy & Waka Flocka if you Dislike this. Illmatic is an all-time top-5 album.

[hlumelotyala]

Its hard for 16 people to tell

[casperlok2dbrain]

THAT MANY dislikes on a video like THIS don't mean SHIT . .

[MannyMMA]

Is it me or does it have Michael Jackson's Human Nature beat in it?

[padmwe]

@MannyMMA yea it has samples from 'human nature' as well as other samples from other songs

[3therock3]

Da da da da... da Da da da da

[TheHipHopExclusives]

♫ For Intelligent Music w/ Passion, Please Search "Ross Bane - The Intellect" ♫

[blacklionSM]

15 dislikes should NEVER be allowed to listen to real hip hop again!!!

[harakiri420]

They call her Colombiana.

[Moebetter222]

This song is so good that it has the same exact video as the featured video in the suggestions box

[SkippedProductions]

Funny shit, alot of people comparing emcees, seriously why?

I see people people calling out names who are 'better' like lupe, jay z, big l, lil wayne(wtf), 2pac, biggie. For you people who think music is a competition.

U also have to think there is one winner, well oke i got that but i like the idea of severals artist with different styles and influences.

And damn u guys who think 'that mc is better', Ok you like the ideo of only one artist in hiphop? BOOORIIING. music=art, not competition.peace

[cashNtunz]

it was hard to tell to 15 mf -___-

[DevinTownsend11]

Nas is the shit.. And by this i mean that he is a SHiT rapper.. Long Live Metal \m/

1 more sucka MC gonna fryyyy xD

[ricardoakaponchii]

dont even waste ur time listening to the video then and shut the fuck up if u put thumbs down

[rydindirty0000]

dam, nas was the shit back then, you almost forget, til you hear a song of that album.

[RREEYD]

this is dope shit man

[BlackOpsImmune]

jay z is better.

[XXXSHIONEXXX]

@BlackOpsImmune fuck off..



[323aztec323]

@BlackOpsImmune Nas-Halftime, Nas-Ny State Of Mind, Nas-Street Dreams, Nas- We Will Survive. Nas- Nas Is Like. Name A Jay-Z Song Thats Better Than These Classics!

[chiladin]

@323aztec323 Jay-Z- D'Evils, Jay-Z- Cashmere Thoughts, Jay-Z- Black Gangster, Jay-Z- Friend or Foe, Jay-Z- Dopeman,etc...I'm not saying Hov is as lyrical as Nas but don't act like he ain't worthy of the best all-time category! "Won't be known till i'm gone and niggas study my bones/ mentally been many places but i'm Brooklyn's own/ unseen in the physical like Allah's body/ in fact my thoughts don't differ from that much of god body!"

[lafuzion]

13 people are Lil Wayne fan

[jeremy676767]

Now this is a real hip hop video. No half naked women shaking their ass, No fancy cars. Way better than videos today.

[sIGHTcss]

nas is nasty in a good way

[ogkushbaby]

0:35 - 0:37 He looks like Tu pac

0:49 looks like Ray J

lol

[reem08nyc]

Fav Hip Hop artist....#HandsDown

[avonbarksdale420]

Kids, please be quiet now. This is strictly grown follks business

[VariantNode]

I LOVE that quiet melody just above the bassline, somewhere in the mids. I have a lot of trouble telling what it is, but it comes in the beginning of each verse and plays throughout the choruses, following the bassline. Large Professor produced this track, right?

[1017Omar]

@VariantNode It is a sample of Michael Jackson's "Human Nature", and Large Professor did produce this.

[VariantNode]

@1017Omar Ohhh tight, thanks for that info :]

[zach90hokie]

only 400k views... he just kills every line. his rhymes are almost perfect

[hahakb03]

stop comparing Nas and Lupe. their styles are completely different but they both put out good music. enjoy it and diversify your tastes in hip hop.

[Intellect81]

Almost unparalleled lyrically....one of his best

[deandavo]

Lupe is on a different level.

[Rugbyboybreak]

@deandavo So your saying he is better than nas ?

[deandavo]

@Rugbyboybreak There is no 'better' really, it's personal preference. In my opinion Lupe is more relevant at the moment.

[1017Omar]

@deandavo Lupe is more relevant at the moment because Lupe is newer to the game than Nas.Lupe is a little more mainstream than Nas, even though they are both great. Nas has been around for 19 years. During the 1990 is when Nas was more famous. Illmatic dropped in 1994, it's pure gold, and in many people's opinion(including my own), the greatest rap album of all time.

[deandavo]

@1017Omar Couldn't agree more on the Illmatic album, it's definitely in my top 3 albums. I just think Lupe is onto something with his music. He has a great message, even in spite of Atlantic messing with his creative freedom for Lasers he still came with a message.

He said in an interview once, one has to have a 'gameplan' in the music industry and an 'endgame'. Lupe is trying to be mainstream with the sound of his music to appeal to the masses yet still carry that important message.

[1017Omar]

@deandavo Yeah Lupe is more conscious of the world in his rap. I love Lupe and understand what he tries to get across, trust me, I'm a big fan of Lupe Fiasco.

[Bollockch0ps]

@deandavo haha gtfo. Nas is comparable to the all time greats....lupe lulz wtf

[CutDatBanginOut]

12 people dont know about queens back in the day

[nicknack9879]

Favorite Nas track right here.

[54495319145]

pure, unadulterated lyricism

[kj19951]

WE NEED MORE REAL HIP HOP!

[Icarnkthat]

Nas needs to make another album, with everyone what was involved with Illmatic, I love nas he's my favorite artist ever... But hes other albums don't compare to Illmactic.

[WatchMeDropem]

I dont understand how someone could dislike this

[lilcoope2189]

Nas is definitely top 2 on my list.

[CaLbWs]

Who ever said Lupe is harder than Nas (nh) should get knocked the fuck out. . . . word doe. . .

[Chalet425]

"....packing like a Rasta in a weed spot...." Lupe who?!? You even dream of comparing him with THIS genius and you need to slap the sh*t out of yourself when you wake up.

[lebronshaqfaction]

why the fuck is Lupe being talked in this song?? he good but he ain't as lyrical and poetic than nasty nas

[lebronshaqfaction]

Probably gonna get hate from this but Illmatic is better than tupac's albums

[dudesonman4200]

@lebronshaqfaction

Nas>>>>>>>>2pac. Anybody who disagrees with that doesnt know rap. Not that 2pac isnt great, but Nas is better.

[Mr1mathieu1]

@dudesonman4200 Thats just stupid man, who you think is the best is an opinion...

[DopeCocaine]

@dudesonman4200

People has different tastes, some people like 2pac more than Nas, some people like Nas more than 2pac, that simple

[NiceAndSmooth247]

@dudesonman4200 True, I think a lot of the respect tupac gets is mostly because he's dead, if he were still alive not as many ppl would be on his d*ck, like u said im not trying to disrespect him and hes good but nas is just bettet

[ThumbsUpMike]

@lebronshaqfaction you dont get hate from that

Illmatic beats almost every album in hip hop ever

no album has ever song become a hit and be a lyrical masterpiece we're you cant make it any better than it already is!

[lilcoope2189]

@ThumbsUpMike I'm a really big Nas fan, he's my 2nd favorite all time, but I think Life After Death is slightly, just slightly better than Illmatic. Not taking anything away from Illmatic, because it is definitely a masterpiece. But Life After Death is just ill in every way.

[coltron3030]

@lebronshaqfaction Oh, by far. I don't know who would dispute that, it's usually called the best ever.

[jerzeesown]

best...ever...period

[Chooify]

damn Where does this cat get his clothes from?

[gman4250]

11 people cant tell

[Dev24Dogg]

@gman4250 now 14 can't tell

[beastcod2quickscope]

this music changed my life, its the cure for every cind of war/racism

[BigLYoo]

i think illmatic is nas best shit

[ThetruthisTHEvirtue]

Every generation produces its genius Nas is without question the genius that our generation gave birth to. The Child Prodigy.

[Wilzehagawa]

Scanning as you plan to sabotage me!!!!!!!! Wise intelligence right there, years before even that hater of a brotha jay z copied everything from the line dead presidents to NY state of mind ~ empire state of my mind SMH.

[Wilzehagawa]

Greatest artist in the music genre ever. " Memory Lane" is the song that solidifies that.

[Jthamanross99]

No 1 can top dis album 2day:)

[ThaDopeShow]

Deep like the Shining

Sparkle like a diamond

Sneak a Uzi on the Island, in my army jacket lining

[YousefQaraeen]

Look up "Konstancy - Respiration" You'll be surprised how much talent a young Palestinian rapper could have

[Oceangiraffe]

There will never be another album like Illmatic. This is back when hip-hop was really the poetry of the street, and not that fake-ass-just-doin'-it-fo'-the­-money-an'-hos-an'-shit-nigga'­. Today's rappers could learn a lesson from Nas's debut (hell, even Nas could learn a lesson from it), but we know it won't happen, because once they start making real music, they won't get any mainstream play, thus, no money, thus, defeating the reason they became dumbass rappers in the first place.

Lol rant.

[mtcats]

HIP HOP IS ALIVE & WELL!!! CHECK OUT EAZY O 1 LIFE!!!!

[Heyde1979]

11 people dislike this song that is a shame this one of many songs on this album I cant stop listening to

[lildrey2003]

Rap is so stupidfied (if tjats a word) noe if they listen to this their heads might explose

[nilbog44]

Illmatic is the best rap album of all time. nas screwed himself by making a debut this incredible because he was doomed to never live up to it on the rest of his albums. how can you top perfection??

[adamfromrhhf]

@nilbog44 his second album was just as good It could even be argued that its better.

[nilbog44]

@adamfromrhhf it could be argued. but it would be a lousy argument. i liked the second album too but its not even close

[adamfromrhhf]

@nilbog44 not even close? I mean thats your opinion and all, but it was written has some of the best songs nas has ever did.

[nilbog44]

@adamfromrhhf don't get me wrong. i loved "it was written." he hasn't come close to making anything that good since. but "illmatic" was a masterpiece. legendary. i don't use those words loosely either. i think its top 5 best rap albums of all time

[razorsharpandonpoint]

LYRICALLY hell yeah, but impact wise hell No the reason why people love Illmatic so much because it literally so us what hip hop was about and had shit EVERYBODY could relate too ,now he follewed up with the greatest album of all time with another classic,but it was written had him trying to be a mafioso boss and alot of people hated it(but loved B.I.G second album which is a classic but nobody talked how commercial it was but thats another argument lol),but illmatic is 100 percent nas

[thetriplea2003]

In my opinion the cool is not an illmatic type classic. just my opinion. neither is food and liquor. lupe is not garbage though, too me, he's just not on the same level as Nas. why we need to compare artist to other artist makes no sense. let lupe be lupe.

[iseankimi]

@thetriplea2003 i mean obviously theyre not on the same level...the fact of the matter is no one is on nas' level so it goes without saying lupe isn't either. but he's closer than most. i'm not comparing them in the way you think i am..i'm addressing their resemblance in terms of their lyric-centric, sociopolitically aware, conscious hip-hop. obviously the cool isn't on par with illmatic but no album is. the cool is perfect in its own way just like paid in full, resurrection, ready to die, etc.

[adamfromrhhf]

@thetriplea2003 comparisons between artists is something that is natural and necessary, hip hop is very competitive

[pakelikea]

@thetriplea2003 records sales do show that the lyrical content connects with more people and its a skill to be able to do that. Also alot of underground artists have a great tone to their voices but lyrically the content isn't on the same level. Its like their voices are hypnotizing so it doesn't really matter what they say.

[pakelikea]

this was recorded in 1992 released in 94 ...

Nas Certified Album Sales for United States:

“Illmatic” – (1x Platinum) 1.1+ Million Sold

“It Was Written” – (2x Platinum) 2.3+ Million Sold

“Stillmatic” – (2.5x Platinum) 2.8+ Million Sold

Lupe First album 2006

US Sales

Food & Liquor 325,000

The Cool (gold) 500,000

Lasers 404,000

[thetriplea2003]

@pakelikea record sale mean jack. It's about science and lyrical content. If record sale= skill, then rakim, not Eminem would have sold 10mill.

[realhiphopfan90]

@ajrocksforeal damn. that song is sick. that's exactly what the game needs

[beastcod2quickscope]

11 people have a speak disable cuz they cant tell

[thetriplea2003]

curious to know your age. any old school hip hop head would think your comparison is ludicrous. Even Nas. Nas is a prophet. Lupe and Nas(my bad Nas) names should not be mentioned in the same sentence.

[iseankimi]

@thetriplea2003 you're ridiculously closeminded in your assumption that my age is a factor in my knowledge of hiphop. don't question my age in hopes of dismissing me as young and ignorant to hiphop...nas is my fucking idol..he is, like i said before, my favorite MC of all time and i believe he will never be touched in terms of influence, skill, subject matter, lyricism, etc. it sounds to me like you either need to listen to more lupe or everything he says just goes over your head. done with u

[iseankimi]

@thetriplea2003 you should listen to some lupe and try to identify and decipher his multitude of double, triple, even QUADRUPLE entendres..try listening to The Cool and understanding his ALBUM LONG metaphors..do you realize his work is compared by some SCHOLARS to the works of shakespeare and plato? do you realize that The Cool was hip-hop's first epic (a la The Odyssey)? You judge that which you don't even know..like i said, lupe is too complex for you. it's ok..he wasn't meant for everyone..

[thetriplea2003]

@iseankimi lupe and nas should not be listed in the same sentence.

[thetriplea2003]

@iseankimi you sound like a fucking fool. Pharoahe Monch, Canibus, Nas, the Gza eat lupe for breakfast. Who gives a shit about shakespeare? Like Krs One said "If i was in front of shakespeare, I'd battle the punk and take his shit!" Go jack off to Kick push.

[RelaxednCaIm]

@iseankimi

camparing lupe(or any rapper) to shakespeare is just really stupid.

[hoppus222]

If you dislike this song you're ignorant. End of story.