It Ain't Hard to Tell (3:22)

“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”. The single reached #97 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was also a critical success.

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.

Nas created a homage to Wild Style (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.

Lyrics of “It Ain’t Hard to Tell” have been sampled in the following songs:
* “Correct Technique” by Basement Khemists
* “Ebonics” by Big L
* “Testimonial” by Binkies
* “Correct Technique” by Black Attack
* “Correct Technic” by Da Nuthouse
* “I’m Ill” by Darc Mind
* “Killing Fieldz” by Gravediggaz
* “Inna Citi Life” by Group Home
* “Nas Is Like” by Nas
* “Invasion” by Jeru the Damaja
* “Survival Of The Fittest” by Mobb Deep
* “Half Man Half Amazin” by Pete Rock
* “Real Live Shit” by Real Live
* “Astro Travelin” by Quasimoto