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"It Ain't Hard to Tell" is the second single and last track from American rapper Nas' debut album, Illmatic. Although the track was technically the second single on the album, it was the first single to be released after the album was pressed in 1994. The first single, "Halftime," was released two years prior to Illmatic's debut.

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"It Ain't Hard to Tell"
Single by Nas
from the album Illmatic
Released	January 18, 1994 (1994-01-18)
Recorded	1992
Genre	East Coast hip hop hardcore hip hop
Length	3:22
Label	Columbia
Songwriter(s)	Nasir Jones William Paul Mitchell Steve Porcaro John Bettis Stanley Clarke Leslie West Felix Pappalardi John Ventura Norman Landsberg Robert "Kool" Bell Ronald Bell George Brown Curtis Williams Dennis Thomas Claydes Charles Smith James "J.T." Taylor Robert Mickens Roy Handy Cleveland Horne Gene Redd Gene Redd Jr.
Producer(s)	Large Professor
Nas singles chronology
"Halftime" (1992) "It Ain't Hard to Tell" (1994) "Life's a Bitch" (1994)
Music video
"It Ain't Hard to Tell" on YouTube

"It Ain't Hard to Tell" was produced by Large Professor, and samples Michael Jackson's 1983 hit single "Human Nature", "N.T." by Kool & the Gang, "Long Red" by Mountain and "Slow Dance" by Stanley Clarke. The single reached number 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. Pitchfork Media's included the song at number 28 on their Top 200 Tracks of the 90s.[1]

Music video

The music video was directed by Ralph McDaniels. Nas created a homage to Wild Style (1983), the first hip hop motion picture, while shooting the 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
• "Feels Good" by Krondon
• "Ebonics" by Big L
• "Testimonial" by Binkies
• "Correct Technique" by Black Attack
• "A Cold Day in Hell" by Brainwash Projects
• "Food for Thought" by Buckshot & 9th Wonder
• "Correct Technic" by Da Nuthouse
• "Backstabber" by Da Youngstas
• "Selassi I Continually" by Disrupt
• "Half & Half" by Lunar Heights
• "Killing Fieldz" by Gravediggaz
• "Inna Citi Life" by Group Home
• "Analyze This" by Kid Sublime & Cee Major
• "Rapfilm" by Kool Savas
• "Frozen" by The Left featuring Kool G. Rap
• "The Good Green" by Likwit Junkies
• "I Am... Album Intro" by Nas
• "Nas Is Like" by Nas
• "Invasion" by Jeru the Damaja
• "Classic (Better Than I've Ever Been) (DJ Premier Remix)" by Kanye West, Nas, KRS-One & Rakim
• "Lève-toi Et Rap" by MC Solaar
• "Survival Of The Fittest" by Mobb Deep
• "Give It to Y'all" by Pete Rock
• "Half Man Half Amazin" by Pete Rock & Method Man
• "Real Live Shit" by Real Live
• "Astro Travelin" by Quasimoto
• "Penmanship" by Skyzoo
• "Eight by Eight" by Epik High
• "Shades Of Black (Remix)" by Rakim
• "Amazin'" by Ras Kass & Neenah
• "Jack Frost" by Ras Kass
• "New School Leaders" by Shad
• "Wild" by Shad
• "Animosity" by Xperadó
• "Feel It" by Braille
• "Technics" by Eyedea & Abilities
• "Lucy's & Looseleafs" by Dela & Blu (rapper)
• "Like water" by Pro Era (Capital STEEZ, CJ Fly & Joey Badass)
• "Misconceptions" by Lecrae (featuring Propaganda, Braille, Odd Thomas, & DJ Efechto)
• "Smoke-N-Maintain" by Curren$y
• "Picasso Baby" by Jay-Z
• "Pass Me By" by MC Eiht featuring B-Real
• "Knowldege Wisdom Understanding" by Recognize Ali

Single track listing

US 12" Vinyl

A-Side

1. "It Ain't Hard to Tell" (Main Mix)

B-Side

1. "It Ain't Hard to Tell" (Instrumental)
2. "It Ain't Hard to Tell" (A Cappella)

US 12" Vinyl (Remix)

A-Side

1. "It Ain't Hard to Tell (Remix)"

B-Side

1. "It Ain't Hard to Tell (Remix Instrumental)"

UK 12" Vinyl

A-Side

1. "It Ain't Hard to Tell" (Main Mix)
2. "It Ain't Hard to Tell" (Main Mix Instrumental)

B-Side

1. "It Ain't Hard to Tell" (Remix)
2. "It Ain't Hard to Tell" (Acapella)

UK 12" Vinyl (The Remixes)

A-Side

1. "It Ain't Hard to Tell (The Stink Mix)"
2. "It Ain't Hard to Tell (The Stink Instrumental Mix)"

B-Side

1. "It Ain't Hard to Tell (The Laidback Remix)"
2. "It Ain't Hard to Tell (The Laidback Instrumental Remix)"

Netherlands 12" Vinyl

A-Side

1. "It Ain't Hard to Tell (Album Mix)" (3:20)
2. "It Ain't Hard to Tell (Album Mix Instrumental)" (3:20)

B-Side

1. "It Ain't Hard to Tell (Remix)" (2:50)
2. "It Ain't Hard to Tell (Remix Instrumental)" (2:50)
3. "It Ain't Hard to Tell (A cappella)" (2:24)

Austria Maxi-CD (COL 660470 2)

1. "It Ain't Hard to Tell (Main Mix)" (3:25)
2. "It Ain't Hard to Tell (Remix)" (2:53)
3. "It Ain't Hard to Tell (Acapella)" (2:27)
4. "It Ain't Hard to Tell (Main Mix Instrumental)" (3:23)

Austria CD (COL 660302 2)

1. "It Ain't Hard to Tell (Album Mix)"
2. "It Ain't Hard to Tell (Album Mix Instrumental)"
3. "It Ain't Hard to Tell (Remix)"
4. "It Ain't Hard to Tell (Remix Instrumental)"
5. "It Ain't Hard to Tell (A cappella)"

Charts

Chart (1994)	Peak position
UK Dance (Music Week)[2]	12
UK Singles (OCC)[3]	64
US Billboard Hot 100[4]	91
US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)[5]	3
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[6]	57
US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[7]	13

References

External links

• It Ain't Hard to Tell Single on Discogs
• It Ain't Hard to Tell Lyrics on Genius

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