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: Sโaigon
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 โBloodsโ 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) Sโaigon 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.
the invitation
Saigon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I represent the poor profitless corner monopolipis
The pessimist outnumber the optimist on the block and it's
Coppers that got binoculars cause I can feel them watchin us
(Feel em watchin us) If only they knew what we had a pocket of
They probably swarm in without a warning pointin glocks at us
Get down...but this is gettin us paid
So at a very tender age we learned the tricks of the trade
To baggin and pitchin to gettin rid of it in a raid
Most of us would never get to stage, when its lawyers and bail
Hell we're happy to get stiffed in the cage
And it's crazy we be out here days upon days
Makin just enough to get some licks, some kicks, and some haze
It's a damn shame we're placed in a no win situation
The party is in the pen and the blow is the invitation
Rikers Island you don't stop
Greenhaven all day you don't stop
Hold it down in Rahway you don't stop
You gotta strive in Elmira you don't stop
Sullivan, Kelso and you don't stop
All my peoples Auburn you don't stop
And last but not least for the sure shot
It's the abandoned nation
Teresea baby daddy got a bad habit of somking money up
She gettin some strippin paper but saved enough for a tummy tuck
Little man hungry as fuck he only one-years-old
But knows he's unlcuky and such
As he grows he gets bitter now he acts up in class
He curses his teachers out tellin them they can kiss his ass
Soon as he didn't pass his mama whoppin his ass
His pops is not around the boy is blocked down
(Blocked down) Not even 12 months later
He suckin on 40oz and pissin in elevators
Idolizin the guys with big rides that gettin quick paper
And now he despises the shit-taker
He 13 goin on 26 and a half
His only dream is to have bricks and a stash
Poppin the clutch and hittin the gas, so he start dabblin
In the coke game pitchin for halves
Now he sittin in a cell with an unpeculiar bail
He happened to make a sale to an unfamiliar male
Who was an undercover cop his photo is at the station
The party is in the pen and the blow is the invitation
Bayview and Clinton you don't stop
North Branch, Connely you don't stop
Hurstville, Bunker Hill you don't stop
Greenville, James River you don't stop
The party is in the pen and the government is promotin it
That's the reason I don't be believin in all this votin shit
They bring the coke in this bitch, ain't no poppy seeds
In the p's please, there's nothing but a whole lot of hopelessness
That's where all the focus is makin sure all the blacks
Stay in the back the same place that uh, Scoliosis is
How can they lie with such compulsiveness we just sit around
Acting like this is how we supposed to live
Fuck outta here, I can swear in bout a year
I'll have these suckas in explainin why the hell they still got us here
This gettin treated like shit still gettin beat
With nightsticks, still attractin heat in my six
That's why we ride still drink Barcardi and the Gin
That's why you tryna invite me to the party in the pen
The body will get your ass up in the VIP
And the burner will get you in without showing your id
The coke that'll get you in especially if you cook it up
You RSVP to the party in the P
Enitentiary Saigitty I am the truth
I ain't one of these kids that lie to the youth, I'm living proof
Comstock in the house it don't stop
Sing Sing, uh you don't stop
Attica come on you don't stop
And Attica come on you don't stop
Out in Greenhaven you don't stop
And what it do Rahway you don't stop
Out west in Lompoc you don't stop
Is San Quetin in the house and you don't stop
Over in Ironwood you don't stop
What about Aronhill you don't stop
North Branch do it up you don't stop
Over in Connelly you don't stop
Saigon the Yardfather you don't stop
Just Blaze on the beat he keeps it hot
And last but not least for the sure shot
It's the abandoned nation
Comstock's in the house hands up (hands up)
Sing Sing's in the house hands up (hands up)
Attica's in the house hands up (hands high)
Greenhaven's in the house hands up (to the sky)
Rahway's in the house hands up (put em up)
Lompoc's in the house hands up (keep em up)
Elmira's in the house hands up (hands high)
Sullivan's in the house hands up (put em up, put em up)
The lyrics in Saigon's song The Invitation paint a picture of life in the inner city and how poverty, lack of opportunities and presence of drugs lead individuals to a life of crime. The first verse speaks to the constant surveillance that people living in these areas feel, with the police constantly watching and searching for drugs. The lyrics depict the struggle of individuals in these communities who turn to drug dealing for money and the risk they take in doing so.
The second verse tells the story of a young boy who grows up in poverty, surrounded by drug dealers, and ends up getting caught up in the same cycle of crime. He starts with petty crimes and eventually ends up in prison, just like the adults around him.
The chorus "The body will get your ass up in the VIP, and the burner will get you in without showing your ID, the coke that'll get you in, especially if you cook it up, you RSVP to the party in the P" highlights how the authorities allow drugs in prison, perpetuating the cycle of crime and the invitation to continue this way of life.
Overall, Saigon's The Invitation is a statement about systemic inequality and how it leads to cycles of poverty, lack of opportunity, and ultimately, imprisonment. The song speaks to the struggle of people in these communities and how their lives are shaped by their circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
Ain't nothin' stoppin this murderin in Metropolis
There is nothing that can prevent the violence and crime happening in the city.
I represent the poor profitless corner monopolipis
I am speaking for the disadvantaged and impoverished areas where there are no financial opportunities.
The pessimist outnumber the optimist on the block and it's
There are more people with a negative outlook on life than those with a positive attitude in this neighborhood.
Coppers that got binoculars cause I can feel them watchin us
The police are surveilling us and observing our actions.
If only they knew what we had a pocket of
If they were aware of the illegal substances we possess
They probably swarm in without a warning pointin glocks at us
They would likely raid our location with force, threatening us with firearms.
So at a very tender age we learned the tricks of the trade
From a young age, we acquired knowledge and skills related to illegal activities.
Copping coke to cooking it to chipping it with the blade
We engage in the process of acquiring, preparing, and dividing cocaine using a blade.
To baggin and pitchin to gettin rid of it in a raid
We sell and distribute the cocaine, trying to avoid detection by law enforcement.
Most of us would never get to stage, when its lawyers and bail
The majority of us will never reach a point where we need legal representation or bail money.
Hell we're happy to get stiffed in the cage
We are content with being imprisoned.
And it's crazy we be out here days upon days
It is absurd that we spend our lives in this dangerous and challenging environment.
Makin just enough to get some licks, some kicks, and some haze
We earn only sufficient money to afford some drugs, trendy sneakers, and marijuana.
It's a damn shame we're placed in a no win situation
It is unfortunate that we are stuck in a scenario where we cannot succeed or escape.
The party is in the pen and the blow is the invitation
The real excitement and enjoyment are found within prison walls, and drug use is the means by which one gains entry.
Teresea baby daddy got a bad habit of somking money up
Teresea's child's father irresponsibly spends all their money on drugs.
She gettin some strippin paper but saved enough for a tummy tuck
She earns money as a stripper to support herself and even saved some for a cosmetic surgery procedure.
Little man hungry as fuck he only one-years-old
The young child is extremely hungry, despite being only one year old.
But knows he's unlcuky and such
The child is aware that he has had a string of unfortunate circumstances.
As he grows he gets bitter now he acts up in class
As he matures, he becomes resentful and misbehaves in school.
He curses his teachers out tellin them they can kiss his ass
He insults his teachers and shows them disrespect.
Soon as he didn't pass his mama whoppin his ass
As soon as he fails a grade, his mother punishes him by physically assaulting him.
His pops is not around the boy is blocked down
The child's father is absent from his life, leaving him feeling emotionally restricted.
Not even 12 months later he suckin on 40oz and pissin in elevators
Less than a year later, he is already drinking large bottles of alcohol and behaving inappropriately in public spaces.
Idolizin the guys with big rides that gettin quick paper
He admires individuals who have expensive cars and make money rapidly through illicit means.
And now he despises the shit-taker
He now has intense hatred for authority figures and people who prevent him from achieving his desires.
He 13 goin on 26 and a half
At the age of 13, he is already trying to act and seem much older than he truly is.
His only dream is to have bricks and a stash
His sole aspiration is to possess large quantities of drugs and cash.
Poppin the clutch and hittin the gas, so he start dabblin
Speeding up and accelerating his involvement in illegal activities.
In the coke game pitchin for halves
He becomes involved in selling cocaine, dividing it into smaller portions for distribution.
Now he sittin in a cell with an unpeculiar bail
He is currently incarcerated, awaiting release on an unusual bail amount.
He happened to make a sale to an unfamiliar male
He unknowingly made a drug transaction with an undercover police officer.
Who was an undercover cop his photo is at the station
The person he sold drugs to turned out to be an undercover police officer, and there is evidence of his involvement at the police station.
The party is in the pen and the blow is the invitation
The real excitement and enjoyment are found within prison walls, and drug use is the means by which one gains entry.
The party is in the pen and the government is promotin it
The true place for celebration and entertainment is prison, and the government supports and encourages this.
That's the reason I don't be believin in all this votin shit
This is why I have lost faith in the political system and do not believe in voting.
They bring the coke in this bitch, ain't no poppy seeds
Cocaine is being smuggled into this place, and there are no traces of the plant from which it is derived.
In the p's please, there's nothing but a whole lot of hopelessness
Within these properties, there is nothing but a sense of despair and desperation.
That's where all the focus is makin sure all the blacks
That is where the attention is concentrated, ensuring that black individuals are oppressed and marginalized.
Stay in the back the same place that uh, Scoliosis is
They want us to remain in the background, similar to how scoliosis affects a person's posture and keeps them bent.
How can they lie with such compulsiveness we just sit around
It is astonishing how they can lie so convincingly, while we passively accept our circumstances.
Acting like this is how we supposed to live
We behave as if this is the way we are meant to exist.
Fuck outta here, I can swear in bout a year
Get out of here. I can guarantee that within a year
I'll have these suckas in explainin why the hell they still got us here
I will force these individuals to provide explanations as to why we are still trapped in these circumstances.
This gettin treated like shit still gettin beat
We continue to be mistreated and subjected to physical violence.
With nightsticks, still attractin heat in my six
Law enforcement officers still assault us with batons, and we remain in danger of attracting police attention.
That's why we ride still drink Barcardi and the Gin
That is why we continue to consume alcohol such as Bacardi and gin.
That's why you tryna invite me to the party in the pen
That is why you are attempting to persuade me to partake in the party within the prison.
The body will get your ass up in the VIP
Injecting drugs will elevate your status and grant you access to the exclusive area.
And the burner will get you in without showing your id
Possessing a firearm will allow you to enter without the need to show identification.
The coke that'll get you in especially if you cook it up
Cocaine can guarantee entry, particularly if you are the one who prepares and distributes it.
You RSVP to the party in the P
You confirm your attendance and participation in the prison party.
Enitentiary Saigitty I am the truth
In the correctional facility, I, Saigitty, represent and embody the truth.
I ain't one of these kids that lie to the youth, I'm living proof
I am not one of those individuals who deceive young people with false narratives. My personal experiences serve as evidence of the reality.
Comstock in the house it don't stop
Comstock Correctional Facility is present and continues to operate.
Sing Sing, uh you don't stop
Sing Sing Correctional Facility remains operational and active.
Attica come on you don't stop
Attica Correctional Facility, keep pushing forward and never stop.
And Attica come on you don't stop
Keep going, Attica Correctional Facility, don't come to a halt.
Out in Greenhaven you don't stop
You continue to operate out in Greenhaven Correctional Facility.
And what it do Rahway you don't stop
Rahway Correctional Facility, keep doing what you do and never cease.
Out west in Lompoc you don't stop
Lompoc Correctional Facility, stay active and never stop.
Is San Quetin in the house and you don't stop
San Quentin State Prison, are you present and determined to continue?
Over in Ironwood you don't stop
Ironwood State Prison, you keep going and never quit.
What about Aronhill you don't stop
Aronhill Correctional Facility, don't cease operations and keep pushing forward.
North Branch do it up you don't stop
North Branch Correctional Institution, continue with your efforts and never stop.
Over in Connelly you don't stop
Connelly Correctional Facility, stay active and never come to a halt.
Saigon the Yardfather you don't stop
Saigon, the leader in the prison community, keep striving and never stop.
Just Blaze on the beat he keeps it hot
Just Blaze, the producer of this song, continues to create and deliver exceptional music.
And last but not least for the sure shot
Lastly, but certainly not least, this is the guarantee of success.
It's the abandoned nation
The individuals who have been left behind and neglected by society.
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BRIAN CARENARD, JUSTIN SMITH, KEN LEWIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind