08-11-2012, 14:52
online listen
good lyrics on some of this
and I like that piano riff on the clip
with 11 featured artists I never know who I'm hearing
guess Saigon couldn't go it alone
1.4 from me and not yet rated by the pros at allmusic
from the album - Blown Away
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwZmfSDMhlg
released Nov 6th, 2012
![[Image: 220px-TheGreatestStoryNeverTold2.JPG]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/ad/TheGreatestStoryNeverTold2.JPG/220px-TheGreatestStoryNeverTold2.JPG)
Bio - from allmusic
Analogous to mixtape kingpins 50 Cent and Papoose, Saigon rose to prominence within hip-hop's top ranks,
particularly in New York, on unofficial singles and mixtapes alone. Politically conscious and street-
smart, the rapper became a formidable force when he was taken under the wing of Roc-A-Fella Records' in-
demand producer Just Blaze, who shared his passion for early-'90s hip-hop.
Born in Brooklyn but raised in Rockland County, New York, Saigon (aka Brian Carenard) developed his deft
rhyming skills during his seven-year stint in prison, where he also earned the nickname "the Yardfather."
Only a teenager, he spent much of his time delving into politics and black history, educating himself on
topics like the Vietnam War and Toussaint L'Ouverture, but he identified primarily with the history and
background of Malcolm X. After his prison release in 2000, he established the company Abandoned Nation,
which was partly a nonprofit foundation to provide support for the children of incarcerated parents, but
also helped him and associated artists to pursue their music careers. His first important musical contact
was DJ/producer Mark Ronson, who gave him studio time and access to other valuable contacts. The rapper
later left Ronson's company, on good terms, in order to explore better options.
Saigon began producing mixtapes in 2002. It didn't take the raw lyricist much time to gain a sizable fan
base with songs like the political "Shok TV," the street gang-focusing "The Color Purple," and the
alliterating exercise of "The Letter P," one of his first tracks with Just Blaze. Blaze was looking for an
atypical rapper with whom he could start his new Fort Knocks imprint, and after hearing Saigon, he signed
him almost immediately. To say Saigon became just a promising up-and-comer is an understatement. Saigon
was listed on tons of "Artists to Watch" lists (including in Time magazine) and graced the covers of many
hip-hop publications throughout the early to mid-2000s. His songs found their way onto the mixtapes of
many reputable DJs, like DJ Kay Slay, DJ Whookid, and DJ Drama. Meanwhile, his own mixtapes, including the
Yardfather volumes and Warning Shots (2004), sold very well. By 2005, the MC was signed to Atlantic
Records via Blaze's imprint and had landed a recurring role in the HBO hit series Entourage. However, his
official Atlantic debut album was constantly delayed, causing his buzz in the industry to subside
slightly, but still leaving many in anticipation.
Just months after signing, Saigon began working to obtain his release from Atlantic, claiming artistic
differences, and even announced his retirement in 2007; finally, he was released from the label in 2008.
Although very little official material emerged -- just a few singles -- he released mixtapes and other
unofficial albums prolifically, including two further volumes of his Warning Shots series (which had
debuted in 2004). Finally, in 2011, Saigon released his first official album, The Greatest Story Never
Told, via Suburban Noize Records and Just Blaze's Fort Knocks. Produced primarily by Just Blaze, the album
earned strong reviews and sparked Saigon to talk about recording a new album soon.
Album Review - from xxlmag
The sequel to his much delayed debut LP The Greatest Story Never Told, Saigonâs sophomore album The
Greatest Story Never Told Chapter 2: Bread and Circuses showcases the maturation of the Yardfatherâs
artistry as he explores harsh realities once more in addition to his career, moral sense, religion and
ambition.
Starting with âPlant the Seed (What U Paid For)â foreshadowing several main subjects that reoccurs
throughout the LP, the self-claimed Thespian vocalizes, âEverybody ballinâ, huh, everybody winning/Ainât
nobody poor no more, everybody spending.â It foretells how little reality he feels his peers are
incorporating in their music, a topic he blatantly tackles on, âBrownsville Girl (Ghetto).â Itâs a
continuously repeated theme throughout the project, as Sai revisits the matter on âNot Like Themââ
illustrating how he, on the contrary, is taking action in his lyricsâand the Just Blaze-produced âRap vs.
Real,â which reaffirms his desire for hip-hop to revert back to how it used to be in his eyes.
With the help of Cincinnati up-and-comer Corbett, who produced four records on the album, Saigon lightens
the grimness of the LP on âLet Me Run.â Comparably, Sai and Corbett do the same with Lecrae on âBest Thing
That I Found,â a spiritually elevating record that reveals the Yardfatherâs church-oriented past. âForever
Dreaminâ,â keeps a similar vibe, but accentuates the emotions as Sai dedicates the record to his recently
passed manager, and industry veteran, Chris Lighty.
Never the one to hold his tongue, Saigon addresses his thoughts on homosexuality on âOur Babies 2 (Crazy
World),â in which he states, âThe other day I seen a girl acting like a boy/Then I seen a little boy
acting like a girl/People try to tell me thatâs just the way of the world/Shit make you wanna hurl.â Is
the Brooklyn rapper admitting his homophobia? Itâs up for interpretation, but itâs clear the MC wonât
stand for something politically correct for the sake of it.
In short, Saigonâs second LP offers a sizable amount of diversity over fitting instrumentals, exhibiting
how much he has evolved as a rapper by personifying his bars to reflect his music and his life. The album
is gratifying, surely enough to make those whom purchase the album to be happy with what they paid for.
Track Listing
1. Plant the Seed (What U Paid For)
2. Rap vs Real
3. Let Me Run Feat. Corbett
4. Not Like Them Feat. Styles P
5. Brownsville Girl
6. The Game Changer Feat. Marsha Ambrosius
7. Blown Away
8. When Will U Love Me Feat. Andreena Mill
9. The Vowel Song Feat. Rayne Dior
10. Best Thing That I Found Feat. Lecrae & Corbett
11. Relafriendship Feat. G Martin
12. Yeah Yeah
13. Forever Dreamin' Feat. Tony Collins
14. Intervention (Let It Go) Feat. G Martin
15. Our Babies 2 (Crazy World)
16. Keep Pushing Feat. Chamillionaire
17. Blown Away Pt 2 Feat Sticman of Dead Prez
18. Rap vs. Real Homegrown
good lyrics on some of this
and I like that piano riff on the clip
with 11 featured artists I never know who I'm hearing
guess Saigon couldn't go it alone
1.4 from me and not yet rated by the pros at allmusic
from the album - Blown Away
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwZmfSDMhlg
released Nov 6th, 2012
Bio - from allmusic
Analogous to mixtape kingpins 50 Cent and Papoose, Saigon rose to prominence within hip-hop's top ranks,
particularly in New York, on unofficial singles and mixtapes alone. Politically conscious and street-
smart, the rapper became a formidable force when he was taken under the wing of Roc-A-Fella Records' in-
demand producer Just Blaze, who shared his passion for early-'90s hip-hop.
Born in Brooklyn but raised in Rockland County, New York, Saigon (aka Brian Carenard) developed his deft
rhyming skills during his seven-year stint in prison, where he also earned the nickname "the Yardfather."
Only a teenager, he spent much of his time delving into politics and black history, educating himself on
topics like the Vietnam War and Toussaint L'Ouverture, but he identified primarily with the history and
background of Malcolm X. After his prison release in 2000, he established the company Abandoned Nation,
which was partly a nonprofit foundation to provide support for the children of incarcerated parents, but
also helped him and associated artists to pursue their music careers. His first important musical contact
was DJ/producer Mark Ronson, who gave him studio time and access to other valuable contacts. The rapper
later left Ronson's company, on good terms, in order to explore better options.
Saigon began producing mixtapes in 2002. It didn't take the raw lyricist much time to gain a sizable fan
base with songs like the political "Shok TV," the street gang-focusing "The Color Purple," and the
alliterating exercise of "The Letter P," one of his first tracks with Just Blaze. Blaze was looking for an
atypical rapper with whom he could start his new Fort Knocks imprint, and after hearing Saigon, he signed
him almost immediately. To say Saigon became just a promising up-and-comer is an understatement. Saigon
was listed on tons of "Artists to Watch" lists (including in Time magazine) and graced the covers of many
hip-hop publications throughout the early to mid-2000s. His songs found their way onto the mixtapes of
many reputable DJs, like DJ Kay Slay, DJ Whookid, and DJ Drama. Meanwhile, his own mixtapes, including the
Yardfather volumes and Warning Shots (2004), sold very well. By 2005, the MC was signed to Atlantic
Records via Blaze's imprint and had landed a recurring role in the HBO hit series Entourage. However, his
official Atlantic debut album was constantly delayed, causing his buzz in the industry to subside
slightly, but still leaving many in anticipation.
Just months after signing, Saigon began working to obtain his release from Atlantic, claiming artistic
differences, and even announced his retirement in 2007; finally, he was released from the label in 2008.
Although very little official material emerged -- just a few singles -- he released mixtapes and other
unofficial albums prolifically, including two further volumes of his Warning Shots series (which had
debuted in 2004). Finally, in 2011, Saigon released his first official album, The Greatest Story Never
Told, via Suburban Noize Records and Just Blaze's Fort Knocks. Produced primarily by Just Blaze, the album
earned strong reviews and sparked Saigon to talk about recording a new album soon.
Album Review - from xxlmag
The sequel to his much delayed debut LP The Greatest Story Never Told, Saigonâs sophomore album The
Greatest Story Never Told Chapter 2: Bread and Circuses showcases the maturation of the Yardfatherâs
artistry as he explores harsh realities once more in addition to his career, moral sense, religion and
ambition.
Starting with âPlant the Seed (What U Paid For)â foreshadowing several main subjects that reoccurs
throughout the LP, the self-claimed Thespian vocalizes, âEverybody ballinâ, huh, everybody winning/Ainât
nobody poor no more, everybody spending.â It foretells how little reality he feels his peers are
incorporating in their music, a topic he blatantly tackles on, âBrownsville Girl (Ghetto).â Itâs a
continuously repeated theme throughout the project, as Sai revisits the matter on âNot Like Themââ
illustrating how he, on the contrary, is taking action in his lyricsâand the Just Blaze-produced âRap vs.
Real,â which reaffirms his desire for hip-hop to revert back to how it used to be in his eyes.
With the help of Cincinnati up-and-comer Corbett, who produced four records on the album, Saigon lightens
the grimness of the LP on âLet Me Run.â Comparably, Sai and Corbett do the same with Lecrae on âBest Thing
That I Found,â a spiritually elevating record that reveals the Yardfatherâs church-oriented past. âForever
Dreaminâ,â keeps a similar vibe, but accentuates the emotions as Sai dedicates the record to his recently
passed manager, and industry veteran, Chris Lighty.
Never the one to hold his tongue, Saigon addresses his thoughts on homosexuality on âOur Babies 2 (Crazy
World),â in which he states, âThe other day I seen a girl acting like a boy/Then I seen a little boy
acting like a girl/People try to tell me thatâs just the way of the world/Shit make you wanna hurl.â Is
the Brooklyn rapper admitting his homophobia? Itâs up for interpretation, but itâs clear the MC wonât
stand for something politically correct for the sake of it.
In short, Saigonâs second LP offers a sizable amount of diversity over fitting instrumentals, exhibiting
how much he has evolved as a rapper by personifying his bars to reflect his music and his life. The album
is gratifying, surely enough to make those whom purchase the album to be happy with what they paid for.
Track Listing
1. Plant the Seed (What U Paid For)
2. Rap vs Real
3. Let Me Run Feat. Corbett
4. Not Like Them Feat. Styles P
5. Brownsville Girl
6. The Game Changer Feat. Marsha Ambrosius
7. Blown Away
8. When Will U Love Me Feat. Andreena Mill
9. The Vowel Song Feat. Rayne Dior
10. Best Thing That I Found Feat. Lecrae & Corbett
11. Relafriendship Feat. G Martin
12. Yeah Yeah
13. Forever Dreamin' Feat. Tony Collins
14. Intervention (Let It Go) Feat. G Martin
15. Our Babies 2 (Crazy World)
16. Keep Pushing Feat. Chamillionaire
17. Blown Away Pt 2 Feat Sticman of Dead Prez
18. Rap vs. Real Homegrown