1) An American Rapper… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least six artists with this name:
1) An American Rapper
2) A Post-Punk band from Leamington Spa. Alternative page: Saigon
3) A Swedish heavy metal band
4) A punk band from Orange County, California
5) A Finnish poprock group from the 80s
6) A Swedish group formed in Berlin in 2010 but, at the time of writing, based in Stockholm.
1) Saigon (born Brian Carenard, 1978) is an African-American rapper. Born in Newburgh, New York, He spent his upbringing moving between immediate and extended family members in Spring Valley, New York and Brooklyn as well as parts of New Jersey and Virginia. He cites his mother's inattention towards him due to the new arrival of numerous younger siblings as being the catalyst for his roughly 15-year rebellious period. At age 11 he began selling marijuana and at age 13 he had joined in a neighborhood gang. By the time Saigon reached 15 he had already been involved in at least two shootings for which he received jail time. This would be his home for the majority of the next several years of his life as he was "raised" in the New York Penal System. While incarcerated, he took the stage name Saigon from the influential Vietnam War book “Bloods” by Wallace Terry, which he read while he was serving time in prison.
He is currently signed to Just Blaze's Fort Knox Entertainment record label and is working on his major label debut entitled The Greatest Story Never Told for a November 2006 release, which has now been postponed to a later unannounced date.
He appeared on the second season of the HBO television series Entourage and this is credited as being a big boost to his career to the point where the mainstream U.S. population is beginning to recognize him as opposed to simply his previously small following. He also appears in the third season.
He also performed separate tracks with both Australian hip hop MC Phrase and singer Daniel Merriweather in 2005.
MTV News reported that on January 19th 2006, Saigon was stabbed in the temple with a beer bottle as he left a dinner in the Chelsea section of New York. A man approached Saigon and attempted to steal a chain of his, worth $18,000. When Saigon grabbed it back, a fight started. Saigon, bleeding from the head, tried to hail down a taxi (not wanting to get blood in his Mercedes Benz) but was unable to and drove himself to Bellevue Hospital where he received seventy stitches.
2) Saigon is also the name of an early 80s 3 piece Post-Punk band from Leamington Spa. Their music was released through First Floor Records.
3) Also the name of a Swedish heavy metal band.
4) Punk band from orange County California. Released a self-titled EP in 1981.
5) Finnish pop rock band founded 1980 and disbanded 1985. Made two unsuccessful albums and six singles during their career.
6) Saigon's "Ready For Romance?" was made available on Bandcamp in May 2013. The style is broadly lo-fi indie rock.
Better Way
Saigon Lyrics
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Saigon, just blaze
Just out here in the field man
Tryin' to make these ends meet, you know?
Every time you look around it's some shit goin' down
Man we tryin' to make a better way
Saigon, talk to 'em man
Tell 'em how we tryin' to do this man!
Check, my heart is hurtin' and my soul's searchin' for a better way
I was born in Mooseknuckle where the kid was led astray
Then I moved to B.K., where I fell in love with guns
Fast forward six years later I'm a felon on the run with one
Renegade Run was my alias
And even when I was whylin the 'gon was a Don like Cornelius
Them hoes used to chase me around
None of my niggaz surprised, I got models givin' face to me now
That I roll with a super producer plus keep the booth in a stupor
That's your dog? Call him, or we're meetin' is [?]
I try to put all of my trouble-makin' days behind me
But it seem like them fuckers always find some way to find me
I never thought that Just Blaze would sign me (why?)
Cause he know that I fight a lot and he know my Nation is rangin grimy (yeah)
That's how I know that nigga for real
Took a chance on givin a trill nigga a deal
[Chorus]
Although we thuggin' and we be buggin' we do be tryin' to find a better way
(Tryin' to find a better way)
And I'd be lyin' if I said that we wasn't tryin' to keep our pockets paid
(Tryin' to keep our pockets, paid)
Although we grindin' we on the grind and cause we tryin' to reach our destiny
(Tryin' to reach our destiny kid)
Whether it's hell (it's hell) whether it's jail (it's jail)
[Both:] Or it's the cover of the XXL!
I never thought rhymin' would help me climb the ladder of success
Niggaz thought by now that I woulda took the magnum to the chest
Or have the staggerin' arrest record for dabblin' in this
I knew I shouldn'ta been in since I'm fresh up out the pen
But N-O spell 'no' sucka, I kill 'em with the flow fucka
You could compare me to no other
I'm so scared of my temper, what if somebody try me?
What if I gotta prove that I still use the shotty?
Atlantic Records would dropped me, police is gon' knock me
Them bitches is gon' laugh at me, the haters is gon' party
And I'll be back in the yard
With old timers callin' me a GODDAMN FOOL for clappin' ratchets at y'all
I'm tellin you this, so you know I'm fully aware
And very mindful, that I will throw away my career
And let one of you little bitch niggaz step in my square
And I'll show you I keep the weapon right here, aiyyo Belly come here!
[Chorus]
Check it, look
I'm hardly never low-key so it's hard to get to know me
Got enemies in the street that's still targetin' to smoke me
It must make 'em sick to see me as godly [?] in the movie
Wait 'til they start spendin' money to market and promote me
Why would y'all wanna stop me?
I changed my life around, put the rifle down, niggaz still plottin' to Big and 'Pac me
But on the contrilly I'm packin' the mac-milly
And clappin at the first lil' faggot that act silly
It was my destiny to be here
I killed the mixtapes for three years, all original beats so be clear
And as fuckin' fate would have it
I got connected with the best producer in the world so we can go in and make a classic
So when will you learn? I get deep without the Biblical terms
We livin' in hell with no physical burn
That's why a nigga tryin to find a better way
And sayin' hi to tomorrow, goodbye to yesterday
[Chorus]
Whether it's hell, whether it's jail
Or it's the cover of the XXL!
Whether it's hell, whether it's jail
Or it's the cover of the XXL! [echoes]
“Better Way” by Saigon is a track about the artist’s pursuit of a better life despite his troubled past. The lyrics convey sadness and disappointment within the artist from his experiences with violence and imprisonment. It discusses his efforts to move beyond his criminal past, and though he faces many obstacles in this new chapter of his life, such as vengeful enemies, he continues to strive for success. The track also mentions his gratitude for working with Just Blaze, a respected producer in the music industry, and how he hopes to create a classic album with him. Saigon and Lil’ Lay find themselves in a bleak situation in the track, and it is evident that they want to turn their fortunes around, as they are “tryin to make a better way.”
Line by Line Meaning
Check, my heart is hurtin' and my soul's searchin' for a better way
I'm in emotional pain and searching for a way to uplift my spirit
I was born in Mooseknuckle where the kid was led astray
I grew up in a neighborhood where it was easy to make wrong decisions
Then I moved to B.K., where I fell in love with guns
When I moved to Brooklyn, I became fascinated with firearms
Fast forward six years later I'm a felon on the run with one
After 6 years, I found myself with a criminal record and avoiding the authorities
Renegade Run was my alias
I went by the name of Renegade Run at the time
That I roll with a super producer plus keep the booth in a stupor
I work with a popular music producer and I'm always trying to improve my music
I try to put all of my trouble-makin' days behind me
I attempt to leave my past criminal behavior in the past
But it seem like them fuckers always find some way to find me
But my past misdeeds always seem to catch up to me
Although we thuggin' and we be buggin' we do be tryin' to find a better way
Despite our rough exterior, we seek a positive path
And I'd be lyin' if I said that we wasn't tryin' to keep our pockets paid
Making money is on our minds as we strive for a better future
Although we grindin' we on the grind and cause we tryin' to reach our destiny
We're working hard because we believe we have a bright future in store
Whether it's hell (it's hell) whether it's jail (it's jail)
Even if we end up in terrible situations like prison or hell, we keep fighting for a better life
I never thought rhymin' would help me climb the ladder of success
I never imagined that rapping could propel me to success
Niggaz thought by now that I woulda took the magnum to the chest
People expected me to fall victim to violence
But N-O spell 'no' sucka, I kill 'em with the flow fucka
I say no to negativity and strive to succeed with my musical talent
It was my destiny to be here
I believe it was fate that brought me here, to this moment in my career
We livin' in hell with no physical burn
Life feels like a type of hell, despite the fact that there isn't physical pain
That's why a nigga tryin to find a better way
That's why I'm working so hard to achieve success and improve my life
And sayin' hi to tomorrow, goodbye to yesterday
I'm focused on the future and letting go of the past
Whether it's hell, whether it's jail
Despite potential difficulties like prison or difficult living situations
Or it's the cover of the XXL!
Or achieving great success in the music industry
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN CARENARD, CANEI FINCH, JUSTIN SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind