It Ain't Hard To Tell
J.Period & Nas Lyrics


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It ain't hard to tell, I excel then prevail
The mic is contacted, I attract clientele
My mic check is life or death, breathing a sniper's breath
I exhale the yellow smoke of buddha through righteous steps
Deep like the Shining, sparkle like a diamond
Sneak a Uzi on the island in my army jacket lining
Hit the Earth like a comet, invasion
Nas is like the Afrocentric Asian, half-man, half-amazing
'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, it ain't hard to tell

The buddha monk's in your trunk, turn the bass up
Not stories by Aesop, place your loot up, parties I shoot up
Nas, I analyze, drop a jewel, inhale from the L
School a fool well, you feel it like Braille, it ain't hard to tell
I kick a skill like Shaquille holds a pill
Vocabulary spills I'm Ill plus Matic
I freak beats, slam it like Iron Sheik
Jam like a TEC with correct techniques
So analyze me, surprise me, but can't magnetize me
Scannin' while you're plannin' ways to sabotage me
I leave 'em froze like her-on in your nose
Nas'll rock well, it ain't hard to tell

This rhythmatic explosion is what your frame of mind has chosen
I'll leave your brain stimulated, niggas is frozen
Speak with criminal slang, begin like a violin
End like Leviathan, it's deep, well let me try again
Wisdom be leaking out my grapefruit, troop
I dominate break loops, giving mics men-e-strual cycles
Street's disciple, I rock beats that's mega trifle
And groove even smoother than moves by Villanova
You're still a soldier, I'm like Sly Stone in Cobra
Packing like a Rasta in the weed spot, vocals'll squeeze Glocks
MC's eavesdrop though they need not to sneak




My poetry's deep, I never fail
Nas's raps should be locked in a cell, it ain't hard to tell

Overall Meaning

"It Ain't Hard To Tell" is a classic hip-hop track by J.Period & Nas. The opening line of the song ("It ain't hard to tell, I excel then prevail") is a statement of Nas's confidence in his lyrical abilities. He raps about his skills on the mic, stating that he attracts listeners wherever he performs. The second line of the song ("The mic is contacted, I attract clientele") reinforces this idea, and emphasizes the power that Nas wields as a rapper. He also expresses his spirituality in the line "I exhale the yellow smoke of buddha through righteous steps," evoking images of Eastern philosophies.


The hook of the song repeats the phrase "It ain't hard to tell" four times in a row, emphasizing the confidence and swagger that Nas brings to his rhymes. He raps about his dominance in the rap game, taking on all challengers with ease. The second verse of the song talks about Nas's lyricism and the fact that his raps are so tight that they are almost like poetry. He also mentions that he is a street disciple, able to rock beats that are "mega trifle" and groove even smoother than the moves by Villanova. Overall, "It Ain't Hard To Tell" is a powerful statement of Nas's greatness as a rapper, his ability to tell stories and make a connection with his listeners.


Line by Line Meaning

It ain't hard to tell, I excel then prevail
It's obvious that I succeed and come out on top


The mic is contacted, I attract clientele
My music draws in fans and listeners


My mic check is life or death, breathing a sniper's breath
My performance is crucial and precise, like a trained marksman


I exhale the yellow smoke of buddha through righteous steps
I find peace and spirituality through my music and lifestyle


Deep like the Shining, sparkle like a diamond
My talent and presence is powerful and radiant


Sneak a Uzi on the island in my army jacket lining
I'm always prepared and protected, even in dangerous situations


Hit the Earth like a comet, invasion
My impact on the music industry is huge and significant


Nas is like the Afrocentric Asian, half-man, half-amazing
I have a unique and dynamic identity, blending different cultures and perspectives


'Cause in my physical, I can express through song
My music is an extension of who I am, allowing me to communicate my thoughts and feelings


Delete stress like Motrin, then extend strong
My music has therapeutic and uplifting effects, helping listeners cope and persevere


I drink Moet with Medusa, give her shotguns in hell
I enjoy life's luxuries and pleasures, even in the face of danger


From the spliff that I lift and inhale, it ain't hard to tell
My lifestyle and attitude are laid-back and unapologetically bold


The buddha monk's in your trunk, turn the bass up
My music is powerful and spiritual, penetrating the deepest parts of your soul


Not stories by Aesop, place your loot up, parties I shoot up
My rhymes are authentic and raw, not made-up fairy tales or gimmicks


Nas, I analyze, drop a jewel, inhale from the L
My music is intellectual and insightful, and I enjoy relaxing with marijuana


School a fool well, you feel it like Braille, it ain't hard to tell
I educate and enlighten my audience, making an impact that's impossible to ignore


I kick a skill like Shaquille holds a pill
My talent is unmatched and skillful, like a great athlete


Vocabulary spills I'm Ill plus Matic
My rhymes are clever and complex, showcasing my talent and creativity


I freak beats, slam it like Iron Sheik
My music is bold and powerful, hitting hard like a professional wrestler


Jam like a TEC with correct techniques
My music is precise and skillful, like a skilled marksman with a gun


So analyze me, surprise me, but can't magnetize me
Critics and haters may try to understand me, but they can't sway me or stop my influence


Scannin' while you're plannin' ways to sabotage me
Enemies and competitors are constantly trying to bring me down, but I won't let them


I leave 'em froze like her-on in your nose
My enemies are left stunned and paralyzed by my talent and skill


Nas'll rock well, it ain't hard to tell
My performances are always on point and impressive


This rhythmatic explosion is what your frame of mind has chosen
My music has the power to move and inspire people, based on their own personal tastes and preferences


I'll leave your brain stimulated, niggas is frozen
My rhymes are so intellectually stimulating and thought-provoking, that they leave my listeners speechless


Speak with criminal slang, begin like a violin
My rhymes are raw and authentic, reflecting the struggles and experiences of urban life


End like Leviathan, it's deep, well let me try again
My varied and complex rhymes are like a mythical creature, impossible to fully capture in just one verse


Wisdom be leaking out my grapefruit, troop
My music is full of wisdom and insight, poured out generously for my listeners


I dominate break loops, giving mics men-e-strual cycles
My music is innovative and groundbreaking, making other rappers look pale in comparison


Street's disciple, I rock beats that's mega trifle
I'm a true student and representative of urban culture, infusing my music with authenticity and realness


And groove even smoother than moves by Villanova
My music moves and flows effortlessly, like expert dance moves


You're still a soldier, I'm like Sly Stone in Cobra
My talent and influence are unmatched, like a powerful action hero


Packing like a Rasta in the weed spot, vocals'll squeeze Glocks
I'm always ready for any situation, even in dangerous drug environments


MC's eavesdrop though they need not to sneak
My rhymes are so impressive, other rappers can't help but listen and learn from them


My poetry's deep, I never fail
My rhymes are intricate and meaningful, always connecting with my audience


Nas's raps should be locked in a cell, it ain't hard to tell
My music is so powerful and influential, it should be preserved and protected like a national treasure




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John Bettis, Gene Redd, Roy Handy, Cleveland Horne, Robert Bell, Ronald Nathan Bell, Robert Mickens, Dennis Thomas, Richard Westfield, George Brown, Claydes Smith, Steven M. Porcaro, William Paul Mitchell, Nasir Jones

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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