"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. "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.

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 Willy Style.

Single track listing

US 12" Vinyl

A-Side

B-Side

US 12" Vinyl (Remix)

A-Side

B-Side

UK 12" Vinyl

A-Side

B-Side

UK 12" Vinyl (The Remixes)

A-Side

B-Side

Netherlands 12" Vinyl

A-Side

B-Side

Austria Maxi-CD (COL 660470 2)

Austria CD (COL 660302 2)

Charts