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.
NY Streetz
Saigon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's Street Life {*3X*}
S to the A, man
Lets get into this shit nigga!
I don't drive a g5 truck but I'm live as a fuck
Had to go to prison for years for me to wisen up
And if we ever bumped heads you pretty much knew you was out of luck
Remember I shot crack-head Reg(gie) in the leg for running off with a mac
even after he gave it back
Nigga this is deeper than rap
Though a lot of niggas say that
Everything that I speak is a fact
Shit, then I shot crackhead Debbie
Talk about domestic abuse this bitch got hit with the desi
Now after Debbie and Reggie I'm ready
for any and everybody that want to test me
Bless me, you're a thug
Kid I shot in the Camelot, your shit was sweet
(?) Until his mans got hit with the heat
Why ain't I just give you shit to critique
Everything you hear me spit to the beat
Shit I did in the street
[Hook: repeat 2X]
You don't want drama
You don't want no beef
You don't want to lose those teeth
(It's street life)
Sucker you could die, quicker than you could live
When you fuckin with the NY Streetz
(Real Street Life)
Sugar Pie Hunny Bear
We gotta get money here
Whether I got to write these raps or stash cracks in my underwear
Whatever yo I don't care
I swear I'll let the lead smoke
Before I'm dead broke
I ain't a Crip, man I'll hit you when your head low
I ain't a blood dog I'll leave your ass red soaked
With life line fluid get right around to it
Tell ya (?) how I killed this nigga, true story
First week it's gonna sell more than you N.O.R.E.
And more than you too, Nas
Cause I had a real body in the trunk, not one but two guys
And I'm gonna get more publicity than 50
And be on UPN more nights a week than Sticky
And I aint gonna be on them so-called platinum
I'ma be on the news niggas stuntin I clapped them
[Hook: repeat 2X]
You don't want drama
You don't want no beef
You don't want to lose those teeth
(It's street life)
Sucker you could die, quicker than you could live
When you fuckin with the NY Streetz
(Real Street Life)
I know they love the kid
More than that other kid
Don't try to act like
You ain't discovered it
Don't make a joke alright
You'll be the butt of it
I act nice
But you know I'm on some gutter shit
I'm thuggin it
My pops wasn't shit
Lord of Rhyme was raised by the government
My God was the judge and shit
Sent me to some juvenile jail with some other young thugs in it.
To me it was like a covenant
They had animal lessons
It was the shit, I was loving it.
I came home with another chip
On my shoulder that was bigger than that other shit
Got heavenly on the drug tip, huggin the script
Only time I used bags was to put slugs in the clip
If you fuck around with Saigon I'm bustin your shit
Fuck with Saigon I'm, bustin, your, shit
[Hook]
"NY Streetz" by Saigon is a song that talks about the harsh reality of life in the streets of New York. The first verse opens up with Saigon admitting that he isn't wealthy, but his life is still full of experiences. He talks about going to prison and learning from his mistakes. He used to hang out with drug dealers and would often get into trouble until he realized that he had to stop. The verse also mentions a couple of scenarios that Saigon faced in his past, where he had to shoot people for disrespecting him. The chorus repeats the phrase, "It's street life," which reiterates the brutal nature of living in the hood.
The second verse talks about Saigon's aspiration of being wealthy but not in the traditional sense. He mentions that he will do anything to make money, whether it be writing rap songs or selling drugs. However, he clarifies that he is not a gang member but will still commit crimes if necessary. Saigon also boasts that his rap career will become more prominent than other famous New York rappers, and he will even make it to the news for his criminal activities. He concludes the verse by stating that he has no fear of the consequences of his actions and will shoot anyone who disrespects him.
Overall, "NY Streetz" portrays the reality of life in the streets of New York, where one can quickly gain respect through violence and criminal activities. To survive in such a hostile environment, one has to be ruthless and fearless.
Line by Line Meaning
Na Na Not Not Nah {*3X*}
The repeated phrase signifies a sense of attitude, refusal or disapproval towards something.
It's Street Life {*3X*}
The phrase repeats to emphasize the theme of the song, which focuses on the harsh realities of street life and the violence that often comes with it.
S to the A, man
Introduction to the artist’s name, Saigon.
Lets get into this shit nigga!
An invitation to listen to the artist’s story of his life in the streets and how it shaped him.
I don't drive a g5 truck but I'm live as a fuck
Despite not living an extravagant or wealthy lifestyle, the artist has a sense of confidence and liveliness about him.
Had to go to prison for years for me to wisen up
The artist had to endure the consequences of his actions and the time in prison allowed him to reflect and mature.
Used to run around and formaldehyde it up
The artist used to engage in reckless behavior and take drugs to feel invincible.
And if we ever bumped heads you pretty much knew you was out of luck
The artist warns others that if they were to ever get into a disagreement or fight, they would likely lose or face consequences.
Remember I shot crack-head Reg(gie) in the leg for running off with a mac
A specific example of the artist’s history of violence and retaliation towards someone who wronged him.
Even after he gave it back
The artist did not forgive Reggie, even after he returned what he stole.
Nigga this is deeper than rap
The artist’s experiences and struggles cannot be fully expressed through music or words alone.
Though a lot of niggas say that
Acknowledges the common expression among rappers that their lyrics are ‘deeper than rap’.
Everything that I speak is a fact
The artist is speaking truthfully about his life and experiences, through his music.
Shit, then I shot crackhead Debbie
Another example of the artist’s tendency to resort to violence and aggression.
Talk about domestic abuse this bitch got hit with the desi
The artist physically abused Debbie, showing a disturbing and violent side of himself.
Now after Debbie and Reggie I'm ready for any and everybody that want to test me
The artist is ready to face anyone who challenges him, as he has already proven himself capable of violence.
Bless me, you're a thug
The artist acknowledges that some may see him as a violent and dangerous individual.
Kid I shot in the Camelot, your shit was sweet
Another specific example of an individual whom the artist has harmed or killed.
(?) Until his mans got hit with the heat
The artist continues to describe the violent altercation and how people close to his victim were also impacted.
Why ain't I just give you shit to critique
The artist reflects on the fact that he has given his critics plenty to scrutinize or criticize, due to his violent history.
Everything you hear me spit to the beat
The artist’s music is a reflection of his true self and his experiences.
Shit I did in the street
Everything he talks about comes from his experiences dealing with the harsh realities of street life.
Sugar Pie Hunny Bear
A term of endearment, used sarcastically.
We gotta get money here
The artist is focused on making money, by whatever means necessary.
Whether I got to write these raps or stash cracks in my underwear
The artist is willing to use any skills and methods he has to make money, even if it means engaging in illegal activities.
Whatever yo I don't care
The artist is willing to do whatever it takes, and is unapologetic or unconcerned about the consequences of his actions.
I swear I'll let the lead smoke
The artist is willing to use violence to achieve his goals, even if it means shooting or killing someone.
Before I'm dead broke
The artist is willing to resort to violence or illegal activities in order to avoid becoming poor or struggling financially.
I ain't a Crip, man I'll hit you when your head low
The artist is not affiliated with any specific gang, but is willing to attack or harm someone when they are vulnerable or caught off guard.
I ain't a blood dog I'll leave your ass red soaked
The artist is not a member of any specific gang, but is still capable of causing harm or spilling blood.
With life line fluid get right around to it
The artist is capable of using his weapons with precision and speed.
Tell ya (?) how I killed this nigga, true story
The artist is eager to share his violent experiences and does not hesitate to describe his past acts of violence.
First week it's gonna sell more than you N.O.R.E.
The artist is confident in his own success, and believes his music will outsell that of other rappers, such as N.O.R.E.
And more than you too, Nas
The artist is sure that his music will be more successful than even that of the very successful rapper, Nas.
Cause I had a real body in the trunk, not one but two guys
The artist boasts about having caused the deaths of two individuals, and refers to their bodies being found in the trunk of a car.
And I'm gonna get more publicity than 50
The artist is confident that he will receive more media attention and publicity than 50 Cent, another successful rapper known for his violence and gang ties.
And be on UPN more nights a week than Sticky
The artist believes that he will be featured on television more often than Sticky Fingaz, a rapper and actor best known for his role on the television show, 'Blade'.
And I aint gonna be on them so-called platinum
The artist is dismissive of platinum records or sales, and believes that his success will be more significant than any sales figures.
I'ma be on the news niggas stuntin I clapped them
The artist believes that news outlets will cover his violent actions or crimes, and he is proud of that. He will be known for the individuals he has killed.
I know they love the kid
The artist is aware that some people may appreciate his music and find him likable.
More than that other kid
The artist compares himself to another rapper, who is less successful or less popular than himself.
Don't try to act like You ain't discovered it
The artist is accusing others of ignoring his success or failing to acknowledge his talents or achievements.
Don't make a joke alright You'll be the butt of it
The artist warns others not to make fun of him or belittle him, otherwise they will suffer consequences or ridicule.
I act nice But you know I'm on some gutter shit
The artist may appear friendly or non-threatening, but he has a violent or dangerous side to him that may be triggered under certain circumstances.
I'm thuggin it
The artist embraces his violent or criminal lifestyle, and identifies as a 'thug'.
My pops wasn't shit Lord of Rhyme was raised by the government
The artist suffered from a difficult childhood, with an absent or uninvolved father and was raised by the government or foster care system.
My God was the judge and shit Sent me to some juvenile jail with some other young thugs in it.
The artist believes in divine justice, and believes that it was his fate to end up in a juvenile detention center along with other young criminals.
To me it was like a covenant They had animal lessons It was the shit, I was loving it.
The artist found his experience at juvenile detention to be meaningful or impactful, and appreciated the lessons he learned there.
I came home with another chip On my shoulder that was bigger than that other shit
The artist returned from juvenile detention with a new sense of defiance or aggression, perhaps due to the harsh treatment he received there.
Got heavenly on the drug tip, huggin the script Only time I used bags was to put slugs in the clip
The artist became more deeply involved in drugs and violence upon returning from juvenile detention, and used bags (for drugs) to store ammunition.
If you fuck around with Saigon I'm bustin your shit
The artist warns others to avoid crossing him or causing problems, as he is willing to use violence to defend himself or his reputation.
Contributed by Katherine H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.