This is the 5th full length LP from Brooklyn emcee Saigon. He has been breaking out in the early 2000s since his debut mixtape Da Yardfatherit wouldn't be until 2011 when he would make his full-length debut in the fall The greatest story never told under Suburban Noize Records. The album will spawn a follow-up to fulfill his contract with Spade next year and then a final installment on his own imprint Squid Ink Squad Records in 2014. He returned after a 6-year hiatus in 2020 signing to new subsidiary Strange Music It Goes Up Entertainment & EP drop produced by STREETRUNNER 777: The Resurrection & performance of this agreement Pain, Peace & Prosperity next spring. However, he is linked to Swedish producer Fredro The era of Jordan after signing a new contract with Payday Records.
After the intro, the instrumental first song “G Miller” has that old hip hop flavor, talking about dressing like a tiger and biting like a killer, while “Lyrical Genius” featuring Grandmaster Caz works on that dance groove, so both MCs can brag about their skills together. “Think Twice” featuring Grand Puba has this prominent instrumental sample throughout that only hints at the listener 1 time, but then “1 Foot in the Door” featuring Big Daddy Kane hints that there's something in the Big name be it Kane himself or even Biggie Smalls & Big Pun.
“The Mobbery” starts from there admitting he wants to keep the mob, while the rough “3 Digits” with Rock brings the 2 together explaining that this life is about drugs, money, weed, women and women the rest. After the interlude, Kool G Rap joins Saigon on “Make Money” menacingly discussing their chip stack just before “Home of the Wild” featuring Al Skratch finds the pair talking dust about the wildest to come from New York.
One of my top 5 Pete Rock producers of all time jumps on the booth for “Get Loose” to show off his recklessness, but after “Stop Poppin' Shit!” with Craig G jumping over pianos mixed with kicks and snares calling for an end to gun violence. “We Were Stars” talks menacingly about how things were back then while “Dangerous” featuring Sadat X returns to boom bap with hard hitting lyrics.
“Tournament” instrumentally breaks down a torture tournament you can enter for only 64¢, while album closer “The Era” shows everyone what fortified over kicks & snares really means. The bonus track “Sveriges Regenter (Sweden All-Stars)” featuring ADL, Ayo, Petter & Timbuktu really wraps things up by showcasing some of the finest MCs the Swedish hip hop scene has to offer.
Pain, Peace & Prosperity it had its highlights though i didn't enjoy it as much as i did 777: The Resurrectionbut The era of Jordan revealed to be Saigon's best comprehensive in about a decade and almost matches the bar that 777 as among his 2 strongest efforts of the current decade. We travel through the culture from 84-98 as seen through the eyes of a young Saigon woman, with guest appearances from the pioneers and production by Fredro that pays homage to the roots of hip hop.
Rating: 8/10
