It Ain't Hard To Tell
J. Dilla & 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, breathin' 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 linin'
Hit the Earth like a comet, invasion
Nas is like the Afrocentric Asian, half-man, half-amazin'

'Cause in my physical I can express through song
Delete stress like Motrin, then extend strong
I drink Moët 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 magmatize me
Scannin' while you're plannin' ways to sabotage me
I leave 'em froze like heroin 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, givin' 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
Packin' like a Rasta in the weed spot
Vocals'll squeeze Glocks
MCs eavesdrop, though they need not to sneak

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

Overall Meaning

The opening lines in the song It Ain't Hard To Tell by J. Dilla and Nas paint a clear picture of the rapper's confidence in his own abilities. Nas boasts that he excels and prevails effortlessly, and that he attracts clientele just like a business. When he contacts the mic and begins his performance, it is life or death to him, just like breathing the sniper's breath. The lyrics go on to explain that Nas is like an Afrocentric Asian, a half-man-half-amazing hero, and that he can express his emotions and feelings through the songs he writes. His poetry is deep, and he never fails.

Throughout the song, Nas is saying that he is a force to be reckoned with, he is not like other rappers who tell fake stories, he speaks the truth. He starts off the second verse by saying "The buddha monk's in your trunk, turn the bass up," indicating that his music is powerful, and it's not just about the lyrics. When Nas raps, he dominates break loops, his rhymes are smooth, and his groove is even smoother than moves by Villanova. Nas is a street disciple who knows how to rock beats that are mega trifle. The song ends with a powerful message - that Nas's raps are so good that they should be locked up in a cell.

Line by Line Meaning

It ain't hard to tell, I excel then prevail
It's easy to see that I'm succeeding and will continue to do so

The mic is contacted, I attract clientele
When I grab the mic, people are drawn to my music

My mic check is life or death, breathing a sniper's breath
I take my performance on the mic very seriously and treat it like a battle

I exhale the yellow smoke of buddha through righteous steps
I smoke weed and meditate to get in the right mindset for my music

Deep like the Shining, sparkle like a diamond
My lyrics are dark and reflective, but also shine with brilliance

Sneak a Uzi on the island in my army jacket lining
I'm always prepared and have weapons at the ready

Hit the Earth like a comet, invasion
My music makes a big impact when it's released

Nas is like the Afrocentric Asian, half-man, half-amazing
I'm a unique and talented individual with a mix of cultures and influences

'Cause in my physical, I can express through song
My body and voice are the tools I use to create my music

Delete stress like Motrin, then extend strong
My music helps to relieve stress and make me stronger

I drink Moet with Medusa, give her shotguns in hell
I party hard and take risks, even with dangerous women

From the spliff that I lift and inhale, it ain't hard to tell
You can see by my actions that I'm not afraid to take risks or have a good time

The buddha monk's in your trunk, turn the bass up
My music is so powerful it feels like it's coming from inside your car

Not stories by Aesop, place your loot up, parties I shoot up
My life is full of real drama and I'm not afraid to start trouble

Nas, I analyze, drop a jewel, inhale from the L
I'm thoughtful and introspective and always looking for hidden wisdom

School a fool well, you feel it like Braille, it ain't hard to tell
My message is clear and resonates with people on a deep level

I kick a skill like Shaquille holds a pill
I have exceptional talent and skill, like a professional athlete

Vocabulary spills I'm Ill plus Matic
My vocabulary is vast and impressive, and my delivery is smooth and effortless

I freak beats, slam it like Iron Sheik
I have a unique and intense style that sets me apart

Jam like a TEC with correct techniques
I know how to use my equipment to create the best possible music

So analyze me, surprise me, but can't magnetize me
People are fascinated by me, but I can't be controlled or influenced by them

Scannin' while you're plannin' ways to sabotage me
I'm always on guard for people who might try to bring me down

I leave 'em froze like her-on in your nose
My music has a powerful impact that can leave people stunned and speechless

Nas'll rock well, it ain't hard to tell
My music is amazing and everyone can see that

This rhythmatic explosion is what your frame of mind has chosen
The power of my music can change people's minds and attitudes

I'll leave your brain stimulated, niggas is frozen
My music can be thought-provoking and intense, leaving some people overwhelmed

Speak with criminal slang, begin like a violin
I've been through hard times and my music reflects that reality

End like Leviathan, it's deep, well let me try again
My music is complex and meaningful, and I keep striving to improve

Wisdom be leaking out my grapefruit, troop
I have a lot of deep and meaningful things to say

I dominate break loops, giving mics men-e-strual cycles
I'm really good at creating music and it has a powerful effect on people

Street's disciple, I rock beats that's mega trifle
I'm a teacher of the streets and my music reflects the struggles and triumphs of everyday life

And groove even smoother than moves by Villanova
My music is smooth and easy to listen to, like a great dance move

You're still a soldier, I'm like Sly Stone in Cobra
I'm in charge and I know how to lead, like a great action hero

Packing like a Rasta in the weed spot, vocals'll squeeze Glocks
I'm always armed and ready, and my music packs a powerful punch

MC's eavesdrop though they need not to sneak
Other musicians are always listening closely to my work, even though they don't need to

My poetry's deep, I never fail
My lyrics are meaningful and powerful, and I always deliver

Nas's raps should be locked in a cell, it ain't hard to tell
My music is so good that it should be kept under lock and key

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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