Author Topic: Saigon Interview (Read 182 times)

Lunatic · « **on:** September 21, 2009, 09:52:56 AM »

http://raptalk.net/website/content/view/1931/54/

Raptalk.net hooked up with the yardfather, one of the east coast's most prolific up and coming MC's, Saigon for an exclusive interview. With a retail mixtape, "Warning Shots 2" dropping on September 29th, Saigon took time out of his busy schedule to speak to us and give us the true lowdown on his new project in www.raptalk.net fashion -- extreme detail.

Of course, we also asked all of the buzzing questions regarding his often delayed "Great Story Never Told" album, so read on...

Read Full Interview here:
http://raptalk.net/website/content/view/1931/54/

Lunatic · « **Reply #1 on:** September 21, 2009, 09:53:17 AM »

Saigon: Raptalk.Net! What’s up Justin?

Raptalk.Net: What’s going on Saigon?

Saigon: What’s up playa’?

Raptalk.Net: I’m doing well. How are you bro? You’re on Raptalk.Net!

Saigon: What’s up Raptalk.Net?!? What’s crackin’?

Raptalk.Net: We here doing it big with Saigon. Now did the success of “All in a Day’s Work” make you want to work with Amalgam for “Warning Shots 2?”

Saigon: Yeah. I pretty much have my freedom and am able to do whatever I want. I get to put music out and that’s the ideal situation. I learned a lot from being tied up into a contract. Situations like this don’t come along very often. It’s a very unique situation I have with Amalgam Digital. It’s a beautiful thing. We’re just working and making things happen.

Raptalk.Net: E1 is also apart of the equation. Tell us about their involvement and what you like about them.

Saigon: That was a deal between Amalgam and E1. I really had nothing to do with that. I actually read about it on the net (laughs). It was nothing that I had to do with. But like I said, I am totally my own artist so I’m able to do whatever I feel. I like the way they work though and what they do. I love what they do. Being an indie, they really seem on top of the game. I’ve known Bob [Frank] for a while and he knows his stuff. Will see what happens.

Raptalk.Net: How does this project differ from the first “Warning Shots?”

Saigon: It’s a little bit more diverse. “Warning Shots 1“was New York’ed out. This one, I tried to think outside the box and do some songs for the ladies too. I’m a new father so I did a song for my daughter called “Fatherhood” which is probably my favorite song on the disc. I’m just happy that I’m able to put music out and grind. I think it’s on par with “Warning Shots 1” – I had a whole different outlook on the game with the first project. I really didn’t understand song structures and a lot of things. This one, I grew a lot. Will see what happens.

Raptalk.Net: Tell us about that “Fatherhood” track.

Saigon: It’s a song for my daughter because I’m a new father. I did a song for her and we actually just shot the video. I’m excited because she’s my new reason for living. Every now and then I gotta’ find a reason to keep going and I found a great one.

Raptalk.Net: Is that video going to be serviced to all the major networks?

Saigon: Right now we just shot “Gotta’ Believe It” and that’s the video we’re servicing to BET, MTV and so on. Me and Just Blaze shot that and the video came out great. I can’t wait to see people’s response for it. I would love for them to play “Fatherhood” – I’m definitely gonna’ service it to them. Whether they play it or not, will find out. I think the videos came out good. It should be a good look.

Raptalk.Net: And that is for “The Greatest Story Never Told”, correct?

Saigon: It’s on both projects. It’s like a warm-up for “Greatest Story Never Told.” We’re looking to drop that top of the year.

Raptalk.Net: We’re definitely going to get into that later but I want to stay on track with “Warning Shots 2” a little longer. Tell us about who handled the production on this project.

Saigon: Just Blaze, Buckwild, Scram Jones, Tommy Tee, Doc Ish and myself.

Raptalk.Net: Let’s name off some guest appearances too.

Saigon: Ransom, Quan who was Nas’ artist also signed to Atlantic Records as well. Grand Puba, OJ the Juiceman who I did a really fun record with. I tried to think outside the box this time around. That’s about it.

Raptalk.Net: With this being a retail release through E1/Amalgam, does it feel more like an album to you?

Saigon: Yeah, it’s more like an album because it’s all original beats and songs. I think about it like an album. It’s not a mixtape at all. I’m putting it in my work. But I think it’s the right thing to do. I think it’s a fantastic project. I believe that if it gets the shot it deserves, it will definitely go. People have been waiting for real music to come back and I’m trying to bring it back.

Raptalk.Net: So did you treat the recording process like an album?

Saigon: Oh yeah, definitely. I went in there structuring songs. With mixtapes a lot of people just write over other people’s beats trying to show how dope you are as a rapper. With this one, I sequenced songs and wrote them as if I was approaching an album. I think it came out that way. When people hear it, they will be surprised. The songs and potential they have, you will hear a lot of singles. You’ll see the difference.

Raptalk.Net: What’s the situation like right now with Atlantic Records?

Saigon: We’re good. I love everybody up there. Shouts out to the people who brought me up there. I got frustrated for a little while but right away I got back in tune with myself. It’s a beautiful situation. I’m not mad at them. I think it’s a learning experience for me. I’m glad they even gave me the opportunity to even be there.

Raptalk.Net: Are you still signed over there?

Saigon: Technically, yes and no. I have release papers. All I gotta’ do is sign them and I’m gone. They finally did grant me a release.

Raptalk.Net: So the “Greatest Story Never Told” should be dropping at the top of the year?

Saigon: Yeah, February/March.

Raptalk.Net: And that won’t be on Atlantic?

Saigon: I don’t know. We’re still working it out. It really depends on a lot of things. It might be on Amalgam or E1. I don’t really care about a title. I’m just going to whoever will commit to the marketing that I and the project deserve. It’s a project to use and a beautiful thing. I’m in the situation where I have options to go wherever I want. I’ve been talking to some big dogs. Something is gonna’ give real soon.

Raptalk.Net: So that is the final holdup for the album?

Saigon: Yeah, as soon as that comes out will put out the singles and away we go. We just need to find out exactly what we’re gonna’ do with that.

Raptalk.Net: Have you made any changes to the album or is it the same?

Saigon: It’s the same album. I might tweak it a little bit before it comes out. I don’t want it to get dated. But it’s still good when the album has been done for a year and a half and I can still enjoy it like I do. The songs and sound is timeless. I will tweak it a little bit, but not much because there isn’t much to change. It’s a work of art.

Raptalk.Net: Bol of the XXL reviewed the album and he said it made the hairs on his arm stand up because it was that good; and he’s a tough critic for the most part. He called it one of the best albums he’s heard in the last ten years. How did that make you feel?

Saigon: It feels good. I agree with him.

Raptalk.Net: What is it about you that allow you to remain in such good spirits with all of the album holdups?

Saigon: Just me believing in God. I walk with God and I believe in timing. I believe I will get my shot. I just don’t think I have the right situation yet to be heard. I do think timing is everything. Everything isn’t when you want it to happen; things happen when they’re supposed to happen. It does get discouraging but at the same time, I gotta’ keep working, grinding and keep at it. Once I do get my shot, it’s going to be effective. It’s hard to give up faith and give up your whole wind when you have so many positive people around you like Just Blaze. My people keep my spirit up.

Raptalk.Net: You’re on www.raptalk.net Saigon. “Warning Shots 2” is in stores September 29th.

Saigon: September 29th, please go out and get that online or in stores; just buy it. It’s dope! Check out the song for my daughter “Fatherhood” because it’s my favorite song in the world right now. I hope people enjoy it.

Raptalk.Net: And “Greatest Story Never Told” top of the year; Saigon is going to be a busy man this year y’all. Do you have any last words for www.raptalk.net?

Saigon: Check out www.raptalk.net. For everybody who logs on to keep logging on. Check out www.myspace.com/saigonthayardfather to keep up with everything that’s going on with us. Stay positive and do the right thing.