NaS - It Ain't Hard To Tell (complete with lyrics)

[eminemshow31]

lmao at the cell phone in the begining

[JimastaJ]

funny how niggas hold down nas but can't spell nas is to complicated for some of these hood niggas

[ProudAmerican9]

nas is the fuckin greatest.

[tkwk1433]

I buy all of Nas albums xD

[KitchenerBombSquad]

lol the video thats promoted is the "new tinker bell video" i guess nas is workin with disney now, i cant wait!

[LT2AD]

wat does that buddha's monk line mean? can sumbody explain please?=) NAS SO DEEP

[demonicstoner71191]

@LT2AD hes talkin about the beat hittin so hard that its shakin the trunk like a monk is stuck in there tryin to break out

[614sFinestENT]

34,000 views, WTF........This needs 1000x more

[614sFinestENT]

this beat is dope

[13sparkz]

fuck wayne soulja boyt they aint rappers they sing pussy ass mainstreamer

[atxjsr]

it aint hard

[iRippedMyShirtToday]

this is the real list my nigga

1.lil wayne

2. soulja boy

3.gucci mane

4.t-pain

these are legends you dnt know non about rap yo!

[cdavistp]

@iRippedMyShirtToday OH MAN YOU FORGOT JA RULE, FIDDY CENT AND LIL JON

[DZeRTEAGLE]

@iRippedMyShirtToday Come on man I'm french i understand half of the lyrics From US rappers but lil wayne souldja boy gucci mane t-pain are not legends! what did they proved? what do they said with heart art and poetry? NOTHING! legends don't rap just about money bitches and cars

[anice121]

@DZeRTEAGLE Thank you man ! if you could see me im bowing to you lol niggas are blind to this rap game shit, nas is the most lyrical right with my man common

[DevJr145]

like one of the hottest songz eva created from ome of tha best albumz eva recorded...nas cud catch wreck..

[mar5339]

the last poet, always staying true to the game

[jdog1461]

this is the good stuff

[MrVontrable]

this song is mixed with the beat to michael jackson- human nature

[MoonManify]

1st VERSE IS JUST FUCKING AMAZING

[justin52m]

Nas' first verse is sick

[joeylarin]

got the lyrics wrong its

I kick the skill like Shaquille holds a pill

[xarsonist69x]

Nas is a fuckin lyricist, Damn i wish there was other shit as good as illmatic

[ThuGGinIT24]

dis brooklyns finest...even tho im from da westcoast nas the only niggah still around

[crspark]

Nas is from Queens :/

[FinalFantasyLigriv]

wow i didn't knew it got a sample of Human Nature... lol!

[yungotcha]

damm everytime i hear this song it takes me back to elementary school iw as like jus turnin 11 when this came out .. i was soo hook on hip hop wrote my first rhyme ... jus took me back to the better dayz of my life ...

[TheErs1969]

It ain't hard to tell, I excel, then prevail

The mic is contacted, I attract clientele

My mic check is life or death, breathin a sniper's breath

haha Nigga hell yeaa the lyricist is the best i remember back in the day when Nas exploded this shit was mad hype yeeea hit em up Brooklyn

[TheErs1969]

this song rocks Nas was truely inspired this song u can play over and over again and it makes u feel good

[CapZ13]

I'm from cali but I love this shit

[komdan0kklul]

Hit the Earth like a comet, invasion

Nas is like the Afrocentric Asian, half-man, half-amazin

just great

[EDPCareerCommercial]

This is simply one of the best hip hop tracks of all time. Undebatable.

[MzHipHop1]

tigerninja is an idiot.

[tigerninja14]

@MzHipHop1

damn im asking politely. dont have to talk shit for no reason.

[MzHipHop1]

not talkin shit...just tellin the truth.

[ledya42]

i love nas.. thats it !

[justinw9193]

ii get pissed off when all my friends is on lil waynes dick and wen i mention nas as my fav rapper , i get confused looks n rants bout how lil wayne is da "best rapper alive"

[sfknns]

LOL don't feel bad man, I go through the same crap on a daily basis! I live in the south right now & you know people be giving me looks when I bump non-southern hip hop! Hell even when I bump classic southern hip hop like outkast, scarface, k-rino ,or ugk I still get weird looks! It seems everybody is on the bandwagon for this new crap!

[2IAMmadatcha2]

@sfknns

yea man fuck this new shit, its all trash and it pisses me off

[tigerninja14]

how does this sample MJ. someone tell me.

[dantelewis757]

it has a part from "human nature" when the verse drops... starting at about 0:30

[tigerninja14]

i saw the human nature video it doesnt relate anything with it?

[sfknns]

the human nature instrumental is sampled in this song thats how it relates to it!

[BigBoiAJ]

It's not supposed to. The producer sampled a portion of Michael Jackson's Human Nature. That's a part of classic hip-hop. I thought everybody knew that.

[obryant2009]

human nature by MJ is in the background.

[ledya42]

nas is like the afrocentric asian, half man half amazin...

damn! nas be the realest shit left

[pantsface111]

immortal technique

[tinygangster66]

isnt nas nigerian

[MrKoP112]

L, BIG, Nas and Wu all need to be on that list.

[NotoriousDR3DZ]

i love how he sampled human nature by michael..keep makin good music nas

[asianboi18]

It ain't hard to tell, I excel then prevail

[chase2896]

my favorite song from illmatic

[ColdHeartsEnt]

Yo, I just realized its Michael Jackson's birthday today and I'm listening to a song that samples him. 8/29

[KitchenerBombSquad]

if L n biggie aint init it aint a list

[ChickenWrapLabel]

I freak beats slam it like Iron Sheik <3

[J5xONxEM2]

biggie

big l

nas

jadakiss

cory gunz(potential beast)

[mug04life]

good lsit but not a big fan of cory gunz mine goes like this

nas

mos def

common

eminem

gangstarr

[glenwood247]

in N.W.A and it still wasn't top 5 quality shit. Nas is the only rapper that has stood the true test of time. Top 5 from my standpoint, and i know i'll hear something from pac lovers for this one, but i just never thought he was that talented

Top 5

-Nas

-Biggie

-Big L

-Talib Kweli

-Pac

[DeaDPasT]

It isn't the fact 2pac isn't talented, it is the fact back then he advocated how unjust black prejudice was by sending his message throughout the community. You have to realize back then, black people were getting beat for no reason by cops, some of them even worse were blacks trying to fit in the racial segregation.

Not to mention while 2pac evidently isn't as lyrical compared to Nas, nor has a nice flow like Biggie, or the raw punchlines like Big L, his message is well received.

[2IAMmadatcha2]

@glenwood247

yo pac could tell a story better than any on that list except for nas mayb, and I like lloyd banks but he needs more meaning in his rap cuz he has lyrical talent rivaling that of nas, btw biggie just isnt that good, he made like 2 albums and died and everybody thinks hes one of the best, not true same with Big L they just arent that talented and people are afraid to say it cuz theyre dead or maybe they see a potential that doesnt exist, idk, all i know is dying doesnt make u good

[rockylee1]

de background beat it from michael jackson human nature good Song :D

[Kerat17]

Genius

[JW2K3]

hes the best

[JRoll42O]

Nas is definitely the most poetic rapper of all time. I'd put him, if not on the same level as pac n big, then right below.

TOP 5 BEST RAPPERS OF ALL TIME

Biggie Smalls

Tupac

NaS

Immortal Technique

n number 5 is a toss up. (probably go with Big L or Eazy E)

[colinbny]

someone knows hip hop

[JRoll42O]

Thanks. I try. When it comes to music, i don't conform to the new mainstream hip-hop these days. Nothing is more rewarding then discovering a great song thats either underground or old school. If you truly love music, u will seek it.

[smitty20789]

Tru that fuck this new garbage led by lil wanye head

[majiicpu3D]

screw immortal technique, he hasn't been in the game long enough to be in the top 5

[JRoll42O]

it dont matter. when u put out some hardcore flow like he does, time is nothing. i like all his songs. His style is what makes him. hes poetic, metaphorical, yet his message is so clear. He puts soul n emotion into the music. He doesn't give a fuck about what ppl think of him. While most rappers rap about money n riches he raps about the stuff that needs ppls attention like the hood, the poor, n all other ppl that have fucked up lives. if u dont like him its clearly bcuz u dont understand him

[angeriod]

Thats extaclly what i think but i wasnt able to explain it that good.

[ZeroIsARandom]

tupac

immortal technique

biggie

eminem

nas

[JRoll42O]

i think u got my fifth man, eminem. i started listening to his old albums again like infinite n the slim shady lp n that shits bumpin. its so nice. but i'd have to say big L is not much farther behind him. in fact they might b tied. but yeh man, those r some good ass rappers right there.

[ZeroIsARandom]

yeah big l and eazy e

yo i shoulda put them on there they hot

[angeriod]

Lol eminem isnt better than big L lol. Infinite is pretty good but its nothing close to nas or Big L. Nas is a poetic soul n emotion type of rapper. Eminem isnt. Mybe some that are about his mom but its not close to eminem.

[wht0808]

Gotta be Big L for number 5, Cube wrote all of N.W.A's shit Eazy E included

[nolvorite]

Best rapper of all time...

[MattMacedo85]

rip Micheal jackson

[webbhead205]

This song was sampled from Micheal Jackson's Human Nature..dope use for this sample for to spit some lyrical depth..now this song's more profound because we lost a legend.

We'll miss you Micheal..

[ThatPersonPwnz]

damn i was gonna say that but it looks like you beat me to it. anyways NaS and mj are both good

[MAZORGANG]

nice lyrics

[qterz]

it aint hard tell that he's the best XD

[beatingthemasses]

the james brown scream... what JB track is it sampled from ?

[alldaylong]

i think it's gil scott heron can't remember the track

[godstra]

nas threw up the dynasty sign at 38 sec

[jd8sd]

Nas is God's Son. no doubt!

[MosFiasco23]

shivanna!!!

[publica6]

This Is Real Hip Hop BITCHES!

[yk2bad]

This tune ushured in a new era in rap....this was the album!

[mightymojnir]

This just shows that when a cat gets money, the hunger to be the best leaves. Oh well he's still good though.

[sumadince]

true new york shit, loved him back in tha days! Just bring it oldschool!!!!

[Papoosethestreetswee]

Nas one of the greatest, you cant compare him to much of these commercial rappers... he speaks truth and is a true mc no doubt

[CHEEZEBURNATHADON85]

any one know what album this is on? please reply this shit got mad bass

[philbo67]

illmatic-best album ever created

[musiking21]

i agree

[Emperialking]

I feel you fam. Heard this Album in 94, in my Native Zambia in southern Africa. Knew right then this man was legend, also that I was meant to listen to MCs and not rappers. HIPHOP leaves, underground the motherland and world over, it ain't hard to tell. Nasir probably wonders how he can do it again. Solution: go back to God the creator leave Jays behind alone and Work with all the original producers.

[DonLeoMarin]

The BIBLE of hip hop and the GREATEST album of ALL TIME= ILLMATIC

[dstextreme]

thats the truth

[NewYorkFlavour]

@DonLeoMarin 36 Chambers anyone?

[MeatyCockandBallz]

WOW you are lame!

[kkamMTtown]

No? To true. Id pump this back then and now of days

[robelt19]

"Speak w/ criminal slang, Begin like a violin - End like Leviathan - Its deep? well let me try again."

Yeah, that is too deep for most to comprehend. lol

[newyorkskillz718]

yo explain what that line means ma dude, i cant figure it out

[robelt19]

"end like leviathan" - epic & destructive (but it depends where u look, like the bible, mythology,etc.), "begin like a violin" - self explanatory, peaceful, calm, finesse, etc.

he speaks w/ criminal slang, but his lyrics are too deep sometimes, "its deep? well let my try again" lol

[periechontology]

and the term "leviathan" is also evocative of the idea of depth. Leviathan was a great creature that dwelt only in the greatest depths of the sea.

[SINZERO57]

I think this song has like the illest lyrics ever.Hands down classic.

[blazingVision]

Damn after hearing lyrics like this you know Nas was prob the greatest.

"Cause in my physical, I can express through song, Delete stress like Motrin, then extend strong, I drink Moet with Medusa, give her shotguns in Hell,From the spliff that I lift and inhale"

I'll inhale to that, say RIP to mainstreem, Long Live Legneds & N the undergrounds

[robelt19]

"moet with medusa, give her shotguns...."

explain

[ZazSE23]

moet as in the champagne and shotguns is when you blow smoke into someone elses mouth after youve inhaled

getting in drunk and high with medusa staring her in the face

[robelt19]

ok thnx

[SINZERO57]

He explains how he drinks moet(champagne) with medusa and gives her shotguns(blowing weed smoke in someones mouth by putting the burning end of the blunt in your mouth and exhaling).nobody really does that anymore.its a 90's thing.

[robelt19]

"its a 90's thing"

explains y idk. lol

[jiinxz]

shotguns is slang for when you smoke a blunt and blow the smoke into someone elses mouth so he sayin that nas can drink and smoke with medusa withotu getting turned to stone but flip the script and get her stoned meaning getting her high

[hoodrichGMP]

oh yeah ! i can fucks wit you son . " i kick a skill like shaquille holds a bill " who but nas can put that 2gether son ?

[blazingVision]

IMO 3 GOATS of all time be Biggie for his flow n straight up swagga, Nas for having the illest hiphop album ever, n 2pac for connecting to the masses in every 1 of his songs. You ain't gunna see ppl nowadays surpass their standard of any of those categories. You can see good shit in Imoortal Technique & Tech N9ne. there is still hope so do ur research! REALY

[hoodrichGMP]

i feel you son but you 4got about jay-z and snoop and scarface

[bludLaceDwitreefer]

from the spliff that i lift and inhale...

[sourmaxxi]

what does it aint hard to tell mean in relation to the song? what is he rappin bout?

[aguilas0624]

it ain't hard to tell how sick he is

[sourmaxxi]

thnx

[classifiednigga9231]

Dis Niggaz flow is jus so remarkable i c y his first album was called illmatic

[dudewheresmycar11]

GOT DAMMMNNN nas is nasty..crazy lyrics

[kingescobarjr]

this shit is hard.

[dominicuz4l]

Damn Nas The Illest Mc, U See A Real Difference In Hip Hop Today, Shiiit Even The Music Videos Are Diff nowadays...Real Hip Hop Was Way Better, Today All Dat Shit Revolves Around Money And Shit

[Sicknowledge]

What's crazy about this jam, is that he did the whole song without a Hook.

[fireblast590]

It ain't hard to tell.

[youngboyvip]

he was nineteen or eighteen when he was writing them he was 19 turning 20 when the album was released

[iamfreshx9234]

his lyrics are amazing!

[streetballabs]

he's fat now..

he was so thin b4!!

[eraContraband]

nah the dude just aging hes like 34 or something

but he got buff

[TheBlackSunn]

the fuck you think he was 19-20 back in 94 he's like 34-35 now when u get older ur metabolism slows down genius

[JimmyJoyce77]

Brilliant lyrics for a 20 year old

[cutedude22]

His work needs to be in the same literature books as Shakespeare and other great poets.Nas is indeed the best MC of all time.I find this amazing that these type of lyrics came from a mind of a 20 year old.

[kkamMTtown]

Actually not to correct, but whats even more amazing is that most of illmatic was written when he was 13-15

[jizzy2sexi]

damn

[scarfaceh2o]

I MISS HIP HOP

[1tricky7]

...the ever-illest.pure hip-hop...