Saigon
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About Saigon
Brian Daniel Carenard, better known by his stage name Saigon, is an American rapper and occasional actor.
Saigon is currently signed to Amalgam Digital and Just Blaze's Fort Knocks Entertainment record label and is awaiting the release of his label debut entitled The Greatest Story Never Told. He is also known for his street album "Warning Shots" and appearances in the HBO television series Entourage.
Saigon: the name alone invokes images of war-zones and brutal footage of that fiery city where brothers fought and vice thrived during the Vietnam War. Years after those flames were quenched, another Saigon burns strong, spitting poetic fire on the mic as he verbally stomps the competition into submission.
"Rap music has slowly become a minstrel show," declares New York based rapper Saigon. who adopted the name after reading Wallace Terrys classic 1985 Bloods: An Oral History of the Vietnam War. A stirring non-fiction book about Black men fighting in that unjust war, its one of the many books that has influenced the rappers journey. "Hip-hop has become everything our parents told us not to be" Not known for biting his tongue, Saigon is no stranger to dropping science. On his much-anticipated debut album The Greatest Story Never Told, the skillful rapper is about to change the world with his poetic flair and wild style. I refuse to be a cookie cutter artist."
Originally, on Atlantic Records, Saigon quit the business when he felt the label was trying to compromise his artistic integrity. "Im the boss of my music now," says Saigon, who has his own vision that he combines with street knowledge, hip-hop swagger and uncanny intelligence. Currently signed to producer Just Blazes recently launched label Fort Knocks Entertainment, in partnership with Amalgam Digital and Suburban Noize, he is more than ready. Indeed, even before his official debut has dropped, Saigon already has a following of fans who have heard him on various mixtapes including his street classic Abandoned Nation, a collaboration with DJ Whoo Kid and Just Blaze.
The Greatest Story Never Told was produced primarily by Just Blaze, the talented producer behind smash hits for Jay-Z, Eminem and T.I., the disc also contains contributions from Kayne West, Buck Wild and E Masta Flex-san. In addition, the stunning rapper also collaborated with various artists including Jay-Z & Swizz Beatz ("Cmon Baby"), Faith Evans ("Clap") and former Floetry member Marsha Ambrosius ("Its Alright).
Documenting his world from an unbalanced childhood in which he moved constantly to the six years he spent in jail to his stint on HBOs critically acclaimed Entrouge, every facet of his life has been transformed into poetry on The Greatest Story Never Told.
Although Saigon made a name for himself on mixtapes and doing shows, including a recent hit performance for X Games held at the Staple's Center in Los Angeles, nothing could compare to the boost his career was given when appearing on the HBO show Entourage.
"TV is TV, but real life is crazy. For me, being on that show was both a gift and a curse. There was a lot of pressure on me to ride the wave and release the album prematurely. Others thought that Saigon was a fictional character. The show made my name big, but I really dont think many people know what I look like."
As for his rap style, Saigon reflects, "I try to talk about what is real without romanticizing any aspects of it. There are rappers who have never been locked-up, yet they try to glorify prison. Well, I was there for real and I know there is nothing glamorous about being in jail." Having as much in common with textual rhyme slingers contemporaries Lil Wayne and Drake as he does with his friend Jay-Z, Saigons words are powerful without being preachy.
The official first single from The Greatest Story Never Told is the rock influenced "Bring Me Down." A head-banging track where Saigon verbally slaps the competition, he says, " I felt like when I was going through my problems with Atlantic Records, so many folks was hoping that I would fail. Im just so happy still be here and to be stronger than ever."
Locked-down when he was 15-years-old and later transferred to an adult prison, Saigon spent much of his jail time feeding his mind with books. "In the beginning I was reading Donald Goines and Iceberg Slim, but then I got put on the path of reading history and philosophy. In reality, prison is designed to drive you insane. I vowed to be smarter and try to spread some of the wisdom I picked-up. I didnt want bragging to be the only thing I had to offer."
Saigon was introduced to Just Blaze by a friend when the famed DJ was looking for artists to lace his mixtapes. Finding himself at Bassline Studios, the gritty sound factory where Just Blaze constructed tracks that were hypnotically hard and sonically perfect.
As a team, Saigon and Blaze share a perfect balance that is reminiscent of dynamic duos Gang Starr and Pete Rock and CL Smooth. After forging a friendship with Blaze, the young rapper began spending all of his free time at Bassline; last year, the legendary studio closed it doors.
"That was my other home. It was also during the reign of Roc-A-Fella era, so I knew all those guys. Jay-Z, Benny Segal, Dame Dash; for me, it was an education. I would talk to Jay-Z and just thought he was the smartest guy on the planet."
Sparking the track like a Brooklyn mack, the king of Marcy guest stars on "Cmon Baby." Laughing, Saigon remembers when he told Jay-Z he thought he was an alien. "Its just that the man has so much wisdom and is so well-versed in everything, its hard to believe that heas real. Jay-Z is going down in history with Marvin Gaye and Bob Marley."
On "The Invitation," a song where Saigon rocks the boulevard with Q-Tip, the two created an anti-gangsta track that is straight gangster. Working with Q-Tip was such a pleasure, because he is truly a musical genius," says Saigon about the Tribe Called Quest lead MC and sometime producer. "He has a sense of music that surpasses the knowledge of many rappers."
Perhaps the most timely song on is the track "Preacher." In the age of hypocrites like Rev. Long serving in the pulpit, "Preacher" calls out the fake prophets of Christianity. "A lot of preachers have no problem pimping their congregation," Saigon says. "I believe in God and I believe in the church, but I dont believe in ministers taking advantage of their positions."
In addition to being a winner in the studio, Saigon is also putting much effort into his foundation called In Arms Reach. "Its always been my dream to help kids who cant help themselves. Right now, we have partnered with another company and we are working on acquiring government grants. Kids are being swallowed by these streets and they need our help. I want to motivate these youngsters who have nothing; there is so much work to be done in our community."
Coming correct with sharp skills and provocative poetry, The Greatest Story Never Told is destined to be a rap classic. With Saigon rocking the mic, this is the shot of sonic energy that is needed to wake-up Planet Hip-Hop. "I have a voice and Im just trying to say the right thing," he says. "This is all part of my mission."
Saigon is currently signed to Amalgam Digital and Just Blaze's Fort Knocks Entertainment record label and is awaiting the release of his label debut entitled The Greatest Story Never Told. He is also known for his street album "Warning Shots" and appearances in the HBO television series Entourage.
Saigon: the name alone invokes images of war-zones and brutal footage of that fiery city where brothers fought and vice thrived during the Vietnam War. Years after those flames were quenched, another Saigon burns strong, spitting poetic fire on the mic as he verbally stomps the competition into submission.
"Rap music has slowly become a minstrel show," declares New York based rapper Saigon. who adopted the name after reading Wallace Terrys classic 1985 Bloods: An Oral History of the Vietnam War. A stirring non-fiction book about Black men fighting in that unjust war, its one of the many books that has influenced the rappers journey. "Hip-hop has become everything our parents told us not to be" Not known for biting his tongue, Saigon is no stranger to dropping science. On his much-anticipated debut album The Greatest Story Never Told, the skillful rapper is about to change the world with his poetic flair and wild style. I refuse to be a cookie cutter artist."
Originally, on Atlantic Records, Saigon quit the business when he felt the label was trying to compromise his artistic integrity. "Im the boss of my music now," says Saigon, who has his own vision that he combines with street knowledge, hip-hop swagger and uncanny intelligence. Currently signed to producer Just Blazes recently launched label Fort Knocks Entertainment, in partnership with Amalgam Digital and Suburban Noize, he is more than ready. Indeed, even before his official debut has dropped, Saigon already has a following of fans who have heard him on various mixtapes including his street classic Abandoned Nation, a collaboration with DJ Whoo Kid and Just Blaze.
The Greatest Story Never Told was produced primarily by Just Blaze, the talented producer behind smash hits for Jay-Z, Eminem and T.I., the disc also contains contributions from Kayne West, Buck Wild and E Masta Flex-san. In addition, the stunning rapper also collaborated with various artists including Jay-Z & Swizz Beatz ("Cmon Baby"), Faith Evans ("Clap") and former Floetry member Marsha Ambrosius ("Its Alright).
Documenting his world from an unbalanced childhood in which he moved constantly to the six years he spent in jail to his stint on HBOs critically acclaimed Entrouge, every facet of his life has been transformed into poetry on The Greatest Story Never Told.
Although Saigon made a name for himself on mixtapes and doing shows, including a recent hit performance for X Games held at the Staple's Center in Los Angeles, nothing could compare to the boost his career was given when appearing on the HBO show Entourage.
"TV is TV, but real life is crazy. For me, being on that show was both a gift and a curse. There was a lot of pressure on me to ride the wave and release the album prematurely. Others thought that Saigon was a fictional character. The show made my name big, but I really dont think many people know what I look like."
As for his rap style, Saigon reflects, "I try to talk about what is real without romanticizing any aspects of it. There are rappers who have never been locked-up, yet they try to glorify prison. Well, I was there for real and I know there is nothing glamorous about being in jail." Having as much in common with textual rhyme slingers contemporaries Lil Wayne and Drake as he does with his friend Jay-Z, Saigons words are powerful without being preachy.
The official first single from The Greatest Story Never Told is the rock influenced "Bring Me Down." A head-banging track where Saigon verbally slaps the competition, he says, " I felt like when I was going through my problems with Atlantic Records, so many folks was hoping that I would fail. Im just so happy still be here and to be stronger than ever."
Locked-down when he was 15-years-old and later transferred to an adult prison, Saigon spent much of his jail time feeding his mind with books. "In the beginning I was reading Donald Goines and Iceberg Slim, but then I got put on the path of reading history and philosophy. In reality, prison is designed to drive you insane. I vowed to be smarter and try to spread some of the wisdom I picked-up. I didnt want bragging to be the only thing I had to offer."
Saigon was introduced to Just Blaze by a friend when the famed DJ was looking for artists to lace his mixtapes. Finding himself at Bassline Studios, the gritty sound factory where Just Blaze constructed tracks that were hypnotically hard and sonically perfect.
As a team, Saigon and Blaze share a perfect balance that is reminiscent of dynamic duos Gang Starr and Pete Rock and CL Smooth. After forging a friendship with Blaze, the young rapper began spending all of his free time at Bassline; last year, the legendary studio closed it doors.
"That was my other home. It was also during the reign of Roc-A-Fella era, so I knew all those guys. Jay-Z, Benny Segal, Dame Dash; for me, it was an education. I would talk to Jay-Z and just thought he was the smartest guy on the planet."
Sparking the track like a Brooklyn mack, the king of Marcy guest stars on "Cmon Baby." Laughing, Saigon remembers when he told Jay-Z he thought he was an alien. "Its just that the man has so much wisdom and is so well-versed in everything, its hard to believe that heas real. Jay-Z is going down in history with Marvin Gaye and Bob Marley."
On "The Invitation," a song where Saigon rocks the boulevard with Q-Tip, the two created an anti-gangsta track that is straight gangster. Working with Q-Tip was such a pleasure, because he is truly a musical genius," says Saigon about the Tribe Called Quest lead MC and sometime producer. "He has a sense of music that surpasses the knowledge of many rappers."
Perhaps the most timely song on is the track "Preacher." In the age of hypocrites like Rev. Long serving in the pulpit, "Preacher" calls out the fake prophets of Christianity. "A lot of preachers have no problem pimping their congregation," Saigon says. "I believe in God and I believe in the church, but I dont believe in ministers taking advantage of their positions."
In addition to being a winner in the studio, Saigon is also putting much effort into his foundation called In Arms Reach. "Its always been my dream to help kids who cant help themselves. Right now, we have partnered with another company and we are working on acquiring government grants. Kids are being swallowed by these streets and they need our help. I want to motivate these youngsters who have nothing; there is so much work to be done in our community."
Coming correct with sharp skills and provocative poetry, The Greatest Story Never Told is destined to be a rap classic. With Saigon rocking the mic, this is the shot of sonic energy that is needed to wake-up Planet Hip-Hop. "I have a voice and Im just trying to say the right thing," he says. "This is all part of my mission."
Latest news involving Saigon - 5 articles total
Tuesday, November 13 2012 | 306 views | 0 likes
Saigon makes some headlines with his new interview on The Breakfast Club, Saigon says he wants to punch rappers that are putting out detrimental music for children and goes on to name Rick Ross and 2 Chainz specifically. Watch the video below!
Videos by Saigon - 9 total
Music by Saigon - 28 total
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