Breaking Down Nas’ “It Ain’t Hard To Tell” | Large Professor
Watch the full, extended edit of this video by becoming a FREE DTG member at www.patreon.com/posts/free-ex...
That video is twice as long and has things that can't make this cut.
Today is the 30th anniversary of Nas’ Illmatic. So today, we’re gonna talk about yet ANOTHER incredible producer who worked on this album: Large Professor. He produced multiple songs on this album, but today we’re looking specifically at the last song on the album “It Ain’t Hard To Tell”. This song has it’s own journey as there are multiple version of this song, but… well the easiest way to navigate this is to… use a metaphor.
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SOURCES
Original Demo: • Video
Interview with Large Professor: • Large Professor on Doi...
Nas Quote: www.xxlmag.com/making-of-nas-...
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TOPICS COVERED
Nas
Illmatic
Large Professor
30th Anniversary
It Ain't Hard To Tell
Nas Will Prevail
Remix
Chopped
#nas #illmatic #hiphop
Пікірлер: 172
Watch the full, extended edit of this video by becoming a FREE DTG member at www.patreon.com/diggingthegreats That video is twice as long and has things that can't make this cut.
@Scoots1994
2 ай бұрын
Have you listened to The Brand New Heavies album Heavy Rhyme Experience Vol 1? It's got Main Source, Gang Starr, Black Sheep, Pharcyde, and others.
@CantTellYou
2 ай бұрын
I swear CHOPPED must be sponsored by jordan almonds, which is a shame because I thought reality TV was the most ethical genre
That Michael Jackson flip is one of my favorite sample flips of all time. Can’t believe this album is 30 and still sounds so fresh
@KtotheG
2 ай бұрын
The first time I heard "It Ain't Hard to Tell" was like the first time I heard "Sucker MCs" or "My Melody." It was one of those moments.
@waynemazique6556
2 ай бұрын
@@KtotheGListening to this album for the first time in 94 gave me goosebumps.
Human nature is written by Steve Porcaro, dug up by Quincy Jones and retexted by John Bettis and sung by Michael Jackson. Toto was the backing group. But that is just a detail.
East Coast hip hop hits different on cloudy days for some reason… ☁️🔥🔥🔥
@paperbagbrown1326
2 ай бұрын
You in a New York State of Mind.
@JDXTHEKID
2 ай бұрын
😂😂@@paperbagbrown1326
@darkdoc5643
2 ай бұрын
Frrr. Like as ur listening to a beat coming from the East Coast, its like ur in whole different zone. The Vibe and everything.
@JoeyGastonQB1
2 ай бұрын
Facts...I always play the purple tape on rainy dayz
@joneseybaby8124
2 ай бұрын
Dam I thought only I thought like that. Crazy.
"It Ain't Hard to Tell" was my first lesson in timing. I considered "Human Nature" a slow song because the kick and snare happen on the 1 and 3 respectively. Then Large Pro flips it and I'm like, "Oh, it's actually mid-tempo."
Happy 30 to Illmatic. The Hip-Hop Bible.
The perfect outro to the perfect album. I love the progression of this record: it goes from dark, dour, gritty (NY State of Mind) to light, playful, maybe even a little optimistic (It Ain’t Hard to Tell). I genuinely think it’s the best hip-hop album ever recorded and it actually gets *better* with time. 10/10
Dj premier, Pete Rock, Q-Tip, Large professor, and LES one hell of a production team for a debut album
@terrenceliburd8655
2 ай бұрын
@aaronconner6562: Some would say his album was the first that prioritized "super producers".
This is the song that made me fall in love with this album and ultimately call it the Greatest Album of All Times.
The remix has the greatest vocal sample of ALL TIME! Extra P made Biz Markie saying "recognized" sound like he's saying "Nas"!
@IAuMatu
2 ай бұрын
That was DJ Premier scratching that into Nas is Like, right
@rustymixer2886
2 ай бұрын
@IAuMatu there is 4 versions, demo, rough, lp, remix
The way Large Pro flipped that MJ beat… maaaannnnnn!! He was definitely on another level when he made that beat 🙌🏼🙌🏼
Gotta give a shout out to the Large Professor. Thought I lost his number but I left it on my dresser.
Man, I just finished listening to the album, and I can’t believe it’s 30 years old today.
Large Pro is so underrated. Breaking Atoms is one of the best hip hop albums of all time. It’s aged so well over the years
@Mr.Dobalina113
2 ай бұрын
When it came out, I couldn’t get any of my friends into that album. I don’t know what it was. But several years after it came out, I started to notice people listening to it. Maybe it was just ahead of its time or it took a bit to settle in with people or something.
@redsimmons6791
2 ай бұрын
@@Mr.Dobalina113it was Mature Grown Up East Coast Rap Music when it dropped. So Proud to Say I Loved and Respected. There Sound when Breaking Atoms Dropped. Looking At The Front 🚪 ✨…..is Crazy, and One of the Best Rap Songs ever Made✅
@simon9146
2 ай бұрын
Large Professor is the foundation of the New York Boom Bap sound, you can hear it in his earlier production for Rakim, which sadly he was never officially credited for.
common digging the greats w
@diggingthegreats
2 ай бұрын
G'morning my friend 🔥
@theonlycaamz
2 ай бұрын
@@diggingthegreats salutations
When I first heard this I was 16 painting fences outside. It was middle of the whole pandemic and I make it sound like a long time ago but to me listening to this with sweat off my back in a really bad neighborhood it felt like the music was speaking to me. Forever grateful for Illmatic and ofc Digging The Greats 🙏🏼
Large Professor was definitely inspired by Grandmaster Vic (veteran and creator of the blend tape) when he made this beat.
Been in my Nas bag all day, you're right on time! 30 year anniversary + a new Nas and Preemo track today + a digging the greats Nas drop?! LFG!
Happy 30th Illmatic 💐
Best rap album ever. Period
FYI Nas & Michael Jackson weren't labelmates they were on 2 different labels under Sony music & still it was easy to make it possible to clear the sample.
Just got my Illmatic Cd in the mail. Gonna watch this and bump it. Happy 30th🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
Shout out to everyone who had the cassette single like I did.
Kool G Rap also has that horn break sample in his song "Truly Yours".
*"When I was 12, I went to hell for snuffing Jesus"* was one of the most epic lyrics in Hip-Hop history. It had everyone in NYC, hearing it for the first time, slapping, then holding thier cheeks like Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone. 😂😂😂😂
@Gamecenter456
2 ай бұрын
I said the same thing for years on end. Nas delivering lines like that and “my thoughts react like Stephen Spielberg” in 1990-91 was a staple in Hip Hop. The God was always Bold and confident.
@andrewkeller2842
2 ай бұрын
I was always partial to “…slamming MCs on cement… ‘cause verbally, I'm iller than a AIDS patient”. It was like, ‘daaaaaamn! No he didn’t!’. Nas’s whole part in Live at the Barbecue is just untouchable. Listening to it back in the day with my boy’s was like receiving sacrament to us… it was a religious experience!
Large pro also used that NT horn sample in "just hangin out"...I think..I'm pretty sure...I feel like it's in there somewhere
“Nas will prevail” is my favorite song of his
*For Millennials/Gen Z that are wondering:* The EQing to get single sounds out of a sample is called, "Multing". It's our version of stems before you could use AI to lift them cleaner. Which--isn't necessarily better. Multing gave you the extra seasoning with some leakage from the surrounding sounds/frequencies with the option to add a little more, paprika so to speak if you needed it.
10/10 video! Q-tip also used N.T. on his remix of the world is yours
@diggingthegreats
2 ай бұрын
Another chef cooking 🔥
@deana3449
2 ай бұрын
@@diggingthegreats And for Breath and Stop as well
I love videos like this. 😅 Like, I know all the trivia, all the samples and everything. But the way you tie it all together - the “Chopped” analogy is brilliant! Dare I say, it’s “chef’s kiss!”👨🏾🍳🤌🏾 Great video. Thanks for sharing!
The stories you tell are entertaining. Thanks for the work you do. ❤
My favourite Nas song of All Time.
I look forward to seeing your videos and I get hyped every time you drop a new one! I thought I was well informed about music but you always dig deep for real and I always learn something new from you. Even if I happen to know everything you’re talking about, your metaphors and analogies are top tier! I always use analogies when I talk to people about music to help streamline the information to them but your analogies make me go “WOW…..that summed it up perfectly!” And side note, I actually liked when you would freeze pose and point to another video. The way you would connect one topic to a previous video you did was a brilliant way to keep people engaged with your videos. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve rewatched videos of yours just because it was connected to the latest upload you posted. You created a fun rabbit hole of binge watching your videos. Keep up the great work, you are hands down one of the best content creators on KZread!
You’re the man! Thanks for sharing your insight on what these geniuses created. Really makes me appreciate the craft on a deeper level
Much respect to your work bruh! You truly get it in!! I always look forward to your videos!! This was another solid upload!! This was one of MJ's hottest songs & my favorite Producer's have done it justice!! Incredible work!! We the hip hop, boom bap & beat maker sample heads truly enjoy it! 🔥🔥🔥👊🏾💯
haven't finished the video yet but I know it's gonna be dope.
Illmatic is so good my man literally needs to make a whole video per song lmao
Another fantastic video as always, thanks!! 🎶🎹🥁🎷🎺🪇😊
Excellent presentation. Guys like you are doing great work in the art.
coincidentally premo and nas just dropped a song to tease their new album today
Good shit man! Always love what you're doing on the channel. Can't wait for some Outkast breakdowns😁
I don’t know Mayne,that 5 second freeze pose was kind of cool. Now if it went to a minute, now we’re entering Doctor Evil awkward villain laughing scene territory.☕️🤭
@diggingthegreats
2 ай бұрын
😂😂
"Human Nature" was produced by Quincy Jones, who produced the albums "Off the Wall", "Thriller" and "Bad". "Right Here" was produced by Teddy Riley, who was one of the main producers on "Dangerous".
Thanks for the Video and thanks for the link to the extended version! 👍👍🎁🎁
Pac actually did a really good sample of Human Nature, which was supposed to be on his Makaveli album but I’m guessing they couldn’t clear it? Not sure. But it’s called “N*ggaz Nature”. Hits really hard. I love it.
fav channel of all time
Incredible song-had both the original and the Biz Mark sample remix taped off radio early 94. Illmatic is timeless. Another great video
I’m so happy you talk about how you used to freeze, that was so weird 😂. But, every KZreadr does something offbeat when they’re just starting.
@diggingthegreats
2 ай бұрын
😂😂😂
Man I’ve always loved the creativity of real hip hop and this is why it’ll never die.
My favorite channel for hip-hop songs breakdown
Yoooooooo, you made me laugh at the very end. Props!
Honestly as a massive Toto lover i always love anything that samples Human Nature
Always liked the SWV remix but didn’t realize it‘s role in this classic. Both beats ended up on the songs they belonged to. The It Ain’t Hard to Tell beat is timeless.
Nas will prevail is great
Nas got that title from a Main Source track off "Breaking Atoms". I forget what track but in it theres a part where LP says "it ain't hard to tell".
Love the metaphor 🔥
Salute to you brother. You are literally breaking it down for real. Respectfully request a break down of song if possible? New York State of mind remix by Nas.
30 years is crazy 😮
Definitely signing up for the Patreon asap, so tired of the KZread copyright nonsense. Kudos to you for trimming these videos just right to fly under the algorithms radar 😂 Wow Illmatic was 30 years ago so crazy! I have a question on 'New York State of Mind' in one of the bars Nas has a line where he says 'I'm an addict for sneakers' ... I wondered if that was the lyric that spurned Raekwon's track 'Sneakers' from the 1999 'Immobilarity' album? Anyway these are just crazy curiosities that enter my brain sometimes years later. 😅 Guess we would have to ask the Chef ... in keeping with your cooking analogy 😊
I love this channel
Large Pro content, yes please ❤️❤️❤️
THE GOAT HAS POSTED
I noticed Chris Brown on "She ain't you" used this same sample. One of the most satisfying sounds to sample in music
This song is crazy good! 🔥
I love this shit. Just found this channel. New subscriber indeed
your youtube page is amazing brother.
Do American'a call the main meal the entrée and the entrée the appetizer? Love the video man, just that appetizer entrée thing tripped me out
The first time I ever heard this beat was like a lightning bolt struck me. One of the best of all time
"We're getting into the weeds of the show" A kitchen and 420 joke in the same line, you dog.
SWV’s Right Here was produced by Brian Alexander Morgan and Allen Gordon Jr. AKA Allstar. Teddy Riley added additional Keys.
Biggie‘s „Ready to Die“ is also celebrating it‘s 30th anniversary this year. I‘d love to see a video on one of it‘s songs, that would be awesome dude. Thanks for the great work!
I can't say I expected a Chopped reference in an Illmatic video, but fuck me I guess.
Yes, FINALLY!
Happy 30th to Illmatic 🔥🔥
I must have CTE because I also hear the drums from "Vibrant Thing" sampled from NT. I hear a lot of songs just buried in my mind from these samples mentioned 🥺
Dude. I agree with you about how you end your videos. Walking off is so much better than you freezing waiting for us to click on the video. “Drop the mic” 🎤 😂
Great video
I used to hysterically laugh whenever you froze at the end of videos. It was a guilty pleasure. Simpler times lol
The one version I got on a Columbia sampler cd it was sampling the Great Biz Markie from" Nobody beats the Biz" produced by the sampler master mind Marley Marl 🎤🎧💽💾🎹📀💿
Speaking of N.T. you should do some videos on The Road To The Riches album by Kool G Rap & DJ Polo.
Babe wake up dig dropped another banger
Hi! Fan of your channel!
4:29 Teddy Riley did the remix, The actual producer is Brian Alexander Morgan
@diggingthegreats
2 ай бұрын
Yes, and actually, as someone corrected in another comment - Teddy Riley is credited, but he didn't actually do it!
This 30th Anniversary celebration is a good time to shout out Elzhi’s tribute mixtape, Elmatic, released in 2011. Treat your sound holes!
ITS ILLMATIC’S 30 YEARS BIRTHDAY TODAY
Niiiiccceeee 👍
IT AIN'T HARD TO TELL that Digging the Greats is the GOAT
I love your videos
this is still my favorite Nas song of all time.
Greatest album of all time.
Theres actually another version of It Aint Hard To Tell from 1993 with different drums and slightly different verse/hook structure with a spoken outro too.
You gotta do a breakdown on ‘Memory Lane’. Now THAT track went hard!
This album defines hip hop in its natural form before she went corporate.(POP)
If im not mistaken the sample you had in purple, L.P. used for one of their own songs for main source.
From the… spliff that I lift and inhale
This is hard!!
30 Years Later !! #illmatic the best album in hip hop history !! No debate 📖
Swear I never clicked so fast fr.
It Ain’t Hard to Tell is also a song that belongs on any 420 playlists. Happy 4/20!
He forgot to add both Large Professor and Premier have the same birthday 3-21