It Ain't Hard to Tell
Encyclopedia
"It Ain't Hard to Tell" is Nas' second single and last track from his debut album Illmatic
. Produced by Large Professor
, the song samples Michael Jackson
's 1983 hit single "Human Nature
", "N.T." by Kool & the Gang
, "Why Can't People Be Colors Too?" by The Whatnauts
, "Long Red" by Mountain
& "Slow Dance" by Stanley Clarke
. The single reached #91 on the Billboard Hot 100
chart.
In 1991, Nas recorded a demo tape for Columbia Records
, featuring the original version of "It Ain't Hard to Tell" named "Nas Will Prevail". This version is roughly 90 seconds longer, includes longer different verses, and has a more subdued, jazzier beat close to the album version. DigitalDreamDoor.com ranked "It Aint Hard To Tell" number 109 in their list of Greatest Hip Hop/Rap songs. Pitchfork Media's
included the song at number 28 on their Top 200 Tracks of the 90s.
(1982
), the first hip hop motion picture, while shooting "It Ain't Hard to Tell's" music video, as he shot portions of the clip on the same stage used for the final scene of Wild Style.
Illmatic
Illmatic is the debut album of American rapper Nas, released April 19, 1994, on Columbia Records. Following his signing to Columbia with the help of MC Serch, recording sessions for the album took place during 1992 to 1993 at Chung King Studios, D&D Recording, Battery Studios, and Unique Recording...
. Produced by Large Professor
Large Professor
Large Professor , also known as Large Pro and Xtra P, is a New York City-based hip hop record producer and emcee. He is also best known as a founding member of the influential underground hip hop group Main Source, and as a frequent collaborator with Nas...
, the song samples Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
's 1983 hit single "Human Nature
Human Nature (Michael Jackson song)
"Human Nature" is a song by American recording artist Michael Jackson. It was written and composed by Steve Porcaro and John Bettis, and produced by Quincy Jones. It is the fifth single from the singer's sixth solo album, Thriller . Initially, Porcaro had recorded a rough demo of the song on a...
", "N.T." by Kool & the Gang
Kool & the Gang
Kool & the Gang are an American jazz, R&B, soul, and funk group, originally formed as the Jazziacs in Jersey City, New Jersey in 1964.They went through several musical phases during the course of their recording career, starting out with a purist jazz sound, then becoming practitioners of R&B and...
, "Why Can't People Be Colors Too?" by The Whatnauts
The Whatnauts
The Whatnauts were an American soul group from Baltimore, Maryland founded in 1969. The group had several hit singles in the early 1970s, including the socially conscious single "Message From A Black Man" in 1970 on A&I International, "Please Make The Love Go Away" also in 1970 but on Stang, and...
, "Long Red" by Mountain
Mountain (band)
Mountain is an American hard rock band that formed in Long Island, New York in 1969. Originally comprising vocalist and guitarist Leslie West, bassist Felix Pappalardi and drummer N. D. Smart, the band broke up in 1972 before reuniting in 1974 and remaining active until today...
& "Slow Dance" by Stanley Clarke
Stanley Clarke
Stanley Clarke is an American jazz musician and composer known for his innovative and influential work on double bass and electric bass guitar as well as for his numerous film and television scores...
. The single reached #91 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
chart.
In 1991, Nas recorded a demo tape for Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
, featuring the original version of "It Ain't Hard to Tell" named "Nas Will Prevail". This version is roughly 90 seconds longer, includes longer different verses, and has a more subdued, jazzier beat close to the album version. DigitalDreamDoor.com ranked "It Aint Hard To Tell" number 109 in their list of Greatest Hip Hop/Rap songs. Pitchfork Media's
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
included the song at number 28 on their Top 200 Tracks of the 90s.
Music video
Nas created a homage to Wild StyleWild Style
Wild Style is a 1983 hip hop film produced by Charlie Ahearn. Released theatrically in 1983 by First Run Features and later re-released for home video by Rhino Home Video, it is regarded as the first hip hop motion picture...
(1982
1982 in film
-Events:* March 26 = I Ought to Be in Pictures, starring Walter Matthau, Ann-Margret and Dinah Manoff is released. Manoff would not appear in another movie until 1987's Backfire.* June = PG-rated film E.T...
), the first hip hop motion picture, while shooting "It Ain't Hard to Tell's" music video, as he shot portions of the clip on the same stage used for the final scene of Wild Style.
Uses by other artists
Lyrics of "It Ain't Hard to Tell" have been sampled in the following songs:- "Correct Technique" by Basement Khemists
- "Ebonics" by Big LBig LBig L may refer to:* Lamont Coleman , better know by Big L, American hip-hop artist.Or a number of British radio stations:*Big L 1395, a British radio station.*Radio Luxembourg's English-language progammes ....
- "Testimonial" by Binkies
- "Correct Technique" by Black Attack
- "A Cold Day in Hell" by Brainwash ProjectsBrainwash ProjectsBrainwash Projects is a hip hop group formed by LA Symphony members Pigeon John and BTwice. The duo released their first album The Rise and Fall of on Jackson Rubio....
- "Food for Thought" by Buckshot & 9th Wonder9th WonderPatrick Douthit , better known as 9th Wonder is a hip hop record producer, record executive, DJ, professor, and lyricist from Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.A. He began his career as the main producer for the hip hop group Little Brother, and has also worked with Mary J...
- "Correct Technic" by Da Nuthouse
- "Backstabber" by Da Youngstas
- "Selassi I Continually" by Disrupt
- "Killing Fieldz" by GravediggazGravediggazGravediggaz is an American hip hop group from New York City, well known for its dark sense of humor and abrasive, menacing soundscapes. The group was formed in 1994 and was effectively a supergroup, bringing together Prince Paul , Frukwan , Too Poetic and RZA...
- "Inna Citi Life" by Group Home
- "Analyze This" by Kid Sublime & Cee Major
- "Rapfilm" by Kool SavasKool SavasSavas Yurderi also known as Kool Savas , is a German rapper and hip hop artist. Savas is mostly referred to as "King of Rap" or "King of German Rap"."Savaş" is the Turkish word for "war"....
- "Frozen" by The LeftThe LeftThe Left may refer to some parties in different countries:* The Left or Die Linke* The Left or Déi Lénk* The Left – The Rainbow or La Sinistra – L'Arcobaleno, Italy...
featuring Kool G. Rap - "The Good Green" by Likwit Junkies
- "I Am... Album Intro" by NasNasNasir bin Olu Dara Jones, who performs under the name Nas , formerly Nasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in hip hop and one of the most skilled and influential rappers of all-time...
- "Nas Is LikeNas Is Like"Nas Is Like" is the first single from Nas' third album I Am.... The song is the sixth collaboration between Nas and producer DJ Premier. It was critically well received as it was a change from the more commercial and pop-oriented singles from It Was Written and Nas, Foxy Brown, AZ, and Nature...
" by Nas - "Invasion" by Jeru the DamajaJeru the DamajaKendrick Jeru Davis, known as Jeru the Damaja is an American rapper and recording artist who has worked extensively with Guru and DJ Premier of Gang Starr, whom he has known since high school.-Biography:...
- "Classic (Better Than I've Ever Been)Classic (Better Than I've Ever Been)"Classic " is Grammy nominated collaboration song between Kanye West, Nas, Rakim and KRS-One that is produced by Rick Rubin. The song was released as a single on February 20, 2007 by Nike Records. It was performed live at the Nike Air Force Ones 25th anniversary party shown on MTV2...
(DJ Premier Remix)" by Kanye WestKanye WestKanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
, NasNasNasir bin Olu Dara Jones, who performs under the name Nas , formerly Nasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in hip hop and one of the most skilled and influential rappers of all-time...
, KRS-OneKRS-OneLawrence Krisna Parker , better known by his stage names KRS-One , and Teacha, is an American rapper...
& RakimRakimWilliam Michael Griffin Jr. , known by his stage names Rakim , Rakim Allah, R.A.K.I.M., and The Master, is an American rapper. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential and most skilled emcees of all time. Eric B... - "Lève-toi Et Rap" by MC SolaarMC SolaarMC Solaar is a francophone hip hop and rap artist. He is one of the most internationally popular and influential French rappers....
- "Survival Of The Fittest" by Mobb DeepMobb DeepMobb Deep is an American hip hop duo from Queensbridge, Queens, New York, U.S., that consists of Havoc and Prodigy. The duo is "one of the most critically acclaimed hardcore East Coast hip-hop groups." The group is best known for its dark, hardcore delivery, as exemplified by the single "Shook Ones...
- "Give It to Y'all" by Pete RockPete RockPeter Phillips , better known by his stage name Pete Rock, is an American record producer, DJ and rapper. He rose to prominence in the early 1990s as one half of the critically acclaimed group Pete Rock & CL Smooth...
- "Half Man Half Amazin" by Pete RockPete RockPeter Phillips , better known by his stage name Pete Rock, is an American record producer, DJ and rapper. He rose to prominence in the early 1990s as one half of the critically acclaimed group Pete Rock & CL Smooth...
& Method ManMethod ManClifford Smith , better known by his stage name Method Man is an American hip hop artist, record producer, actor and member of the hip hop collective Wu-Tang Clan. He took his stage name from the 1979 film The Fearless Young Boxer, also known as Method Man. He is one half of the rap duo Method Man... - "Real Live Shit" by Real Live
- "Astro Travelin" by QuasimotoQuasimotoQuasimoto is the alter ego or the side project of hip hop producer Madlib, from Oxnard, California. Quas is known for the raised pitch of his voice as if he was inhaling helium. Another notable characteristic is Quas inter-changing with Madlib's voice. One day in the studio, Madlib decided to...
- "Penmanship" by SkyzooSkyzooSkyzoo is a New York hip hop emcee.-Biography:Born Gregory Skyler Taylor in 1982 in Crown Heights, he grew up in Bedford-Stuyvesant. He was nicknamed Skyzoo by his parents after the Skyy disco song...
- "Eight by Eight" by Epik HighEpik HighEpik High is a South Korean indie hip hop group from Seoul, South Korea. The group is composed of Tablo, Mithra Jin and DJ Tukutz...
- "Shades Of Black (Remix)" by RakimRakimWilliam Michael Griffin Jr. , known by his stage names Rakim , Rakim Allah, R.A.K.I.M., and The Master, is an American rapper. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential and most skilled emcees of all time. Eric B...
- "Amazin'" by Ras KassRas KassJohn Austin IV, better known by his stage name Ras Kass, is an American rapper. He is also a part of hip hop supergroup The HRSMN along with Canibus, Killah Priest, and Kurupt...
& Neenah - "Jack Frost" by Ras KassRas KassJohn Austin IV, better known by his stage name Ras Kass, is an American rapper. He is also a part of hip hop supergroup The HRSMN along with Canibus, Killah Priest, and Kurupt...
- "Wild" by ShadShadThe shads or river herrings comprise the genus Alosa, fish related to herring in the family Clupeidae. They are distinct from others in that family by having a deeper body and spawning in rivers. The several species frequent different areas on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea....
- "Animosity" by Xperadó
- "Feel It" by BrailleBryan WinchesterBryan "Braille" Winchester is an American recording artist. He has been writing and recording hip hop music since he was 13 years old. For a short time, Bryan and his family relocated to Marlton, New Jersey where he attended Eastern High School in Voorhees Township...
- "Technics" by Eyedea & AbilitiesEyedea & AbilitiesEyedea & Abilities was an influential American indie rap duo from Saint Paul, Minnesota, consisting of DJ Abilities and the rapper Eyedea...
A-Side
- "It Ain't Hard to Tell" (Main Mix)
- "It Ain't Hard to Tell" (Main Mix Instrumental)
A-Side
- "It Ain't Hard to Tell (The Stink Mix)"
- "It Ain't Hard to Tell (The Stink Instrumental Mix)"
B-Side
- "It Ain't Hard to Tell (The Laidback Remix)"
- "It Ain't Hard to Tell (The Laidback Instrumental Remix)"
A-Side
- "It Ain't Hard to Tell (Album Mix)" (3:20)
- "It Ain't Hard to Tell (Album Mix Instrumental)" (3:20)
B-Side
- "It Ain't Hard to Tell (Remix)" (2:50)
- "It Ain't Hard to Tell (Remix Instrumental)" (2:50)
- "It Ain't Hard to Tell (A cappella)" (2:24)
Austria Maxi-CD (COL 660470 2)
- "It Ain't Hard to Tell (Main Mix)" (3:25)
- "It Ain't Hard to Tell (Remix)" (2:53)
- "It Ain't Hard to Tell (Acapella)" (2:27)
- "It Ain't Hard to Tell (Main Mix Instrumental)" (3:23)
Austria CD (COL 660302 2)
- "It Ain't Hard to Tell (Album Mix)"
- "It Ain't Hard to Tell (Album Mix Instrumental)"
- "It Ain't Hard to Tell (Remix)"
- "It Ain't Hard to Tell (Remix Instrumental)"
- "It Ain't Hard to Tell (A cappella)"
Charts
| Chart (1994) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
91 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... |
57 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Rap Tracks Hot Rap Tracks Rap Songs is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States. It lists the 25 most popular hip-hop/rap songs, calculated weekly by airplay on rhythmic and urban radio stations and sales in hip hop-focused or exclusive markets. From 1989 through 2001, it was based on how much the single... |
13 |