Mr. Muhammad - A Tribe Called Quest

         This is always a chill song for me. Just sorta something to kick back to, with that funk and delicate chorus. And we get another nice feature from Phife, whom we don't see enough on this LP unfortunately. You can really just kick it back to this track. Just Tip and Phife speaking of there friend, whom I assume is Ali Shaheed Muhammad. You can really feel that positivity on this track from just so many elements, from the soft beat to the chorus that just has that soothing melody.
          Another track where the Tribe takes it easy, with very simple word play, nothing special on the track, lyrically. Just another good message, basically giving a shot out to Ali. Phife verse raps my favorite verse on this song.

But I don't give a damn (word), rhythm's are the thing (huh)

Rhythm's have the key (huh), rhythm's make you swing (hah)

If you don't like it (no), you can pucker up (hoo)

You listenin' Mr. Quayle (yeah), if you're hiding just give up (hoo)

I'm a rhythm monster (wild), who's out on a prowl (yeah)

Muhammad gives a hoot (hoot) like Woodsy the Owl (yeah)

Comprende my Compadre? (uh huh) kid you want some more? (word)

Muhammad push the button, sample sing the score (ooh)

"I don't give a damn, rhythm's are the thing" Yes indeed. That is just what music does for me, and man it is good! Just makes you wanna tell people to shut up and just kick it back with the music. And the Woodsy thing I always love, another tight rhyme from the Tribe with that easy fun vocabulary we love. That is the good shit!

        The beat is just something that drew me in from the 1st listen, and has captured me since. From that catchy "ba de da, ba de da" or the other vocals that I still can't decipher. It is all good and the little instrumentation before the start of each verse is a nice touch. As for the samples, man more to come:

• "Brazilian Rhyme" by Earth, Wind & Fire (from the 1977 album "All N All")
• "Electric Frog (Part 1)" by Kool & The Gang (from the 1971 album "Music is the Message")
• "Vertical Invader" by Weather Report (from the 1972 album "I Sing the Body Electric"

It Ain't Hard to Tell- Nas

           A nice finisher to Illmatic. Nas drops some illmatic lyrics explaining his raps and the kind of quality they are, a typical message of rappers. Not that I like the boastful part of rapping, but if it is high-quality then of course I won't mind, because they are bragging the right way. Ha, if that sounds right. Anyways, a great rhythm with one of the catchiest drums I ever heard. Not only having that boom bip feel, I think that shall be a new hip-hop term! But the beat basically goes....
           CRAZY! Produced by Large Professor, the drums really run the show with the beautifully altered vocals being played at the same time. And that bassline is killer to! Also the "AH!" thrown in there you will probably here something very similar to it in a lot of hip-hop songs. Interesting whether just similar, or the sample is used I don't know, regardless that yelling can be found in a few Common sounds, as well as others I am sure. The drums just go like this!

ba-boom boom bip boom boom bip! I know, really complicated! But seriously, something about it just gets you jumping.

The LIST of samples:

• "Human Nature" by Michael Jackson 
• "N.T." by Kool & the Gang
• "Long Red" by Mountain
• "Why Can't People Be Colors Too?" by Whatnauts
• "Slow Dance" by Stanley Clarke
• "What Do You Want from Me Woman" by The Blue Jays
• "Sorcerer of Isis" by Power of Zeus

The beat is absolutely terrific. With the synths; sampled from "Human Nature" jamming in the background with Nas and the drums and bassline go on. During the chorus you get the vocals and that jazzy feel. "Long Red" is the sample that contains the "AH!" and the killer beat from the drums. Drums also from "Slow Dance" & "N.T.", with I believe the brass you here from "Why Can't People Be Colors Too?". A lot of samples going on and I am having quite the time to break them all down I will try my best. "Slow Dance" was used for some of the bassline from what I can tell. Last but not least, "Sorcerer of Isis" was used for more drums. I am guessing that leaves "Human Nature" with the vocals, I am not entirely sure. What Do You Want From Me Woman" is used for the brass you here. Man difficult to decipher. However, certainly a lot of sampling went into this piece really taking you everywhere in music. 

Definitely a great way to go out on this album. But I'll sum up my thoughts with the now-traditional closing.