It Ain't Hard to Tell (10th Anniversary Remix)

[Intro:] Take it to the bridge To the motherfuckin' bridge Queensbridge in the motherfucker [Hook:] x3 It Ain't Hard to Tell [Verse 1:] 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 [Hook:] x3 [Verse 2:] What's a beat if the rap don't click I spit rhymes like I'm sick, dying loss in a pit The only way I can escape is by vocals Verbalize a strife Stabbin' ears like a knife hood like The Prophet of the gutter Lyrics are silk mega butter I flow never stutter Clever poetic brothers on a mission Dissin' all who perps the fraud Scrams listen, (and) do what the experts record Burn your pen and pads, mics you'll need not Well I be packin' like a rasta in a weed spot Hittin' your hearts like a hollow tip Verbally illin' minds manipulated My raps a nickel-plated I illustrate it, X-rated, then move out Nas the parlayer takes you on a new route It's suicide poetry released from a cell With immense clientele, I excel It ain't hard to tell [Hook:] x3 [Verse 3:] Now, I'm blessed with the finesse to express like Shakespeare The blocks "Cape Fear" drop metaphors when the breaks clears 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 [Hook:] x3