This is the fifth full-length record from Brooklyn emcee Saigon. He rose to prominence in the early 2000s with his debut mixtape Da Yardfather, and it wasn’t until 2011 that he completed his full-length debut album on Suburban Noize Records’ The Greatest Story Never Told. The album would be followed by a sequel the following year to fulfill his contract with Spade, and a final album would be released in 2014 on his own Squid Ink Squad Records. Company It Goes signed on, ending a six-year hiatus. However, after signing a new deal with Payday Records, he will collaborate with Swedish producer Fredro on The Jordan Era.
After the intro, the first song “G Miller” has a bit of an old school hip-hop flavor instrumentally, talking about dressing like a tiger and biting like a killer, while “Lyrical Genius” featuring Maestro Katz is in this Work within the dance rhythm so both MCs can show off their prowess together. Grand Puba’s “Think Twice” only gives the listener 1 piece of advice throughout, but then Big Daddy Kane’s “1 Foot in the Door” points out that there’s something to the name Big, whether it’s Kane himself or even Biggie. Smalls and Big Pun.
“The Mobbery” picks up from there with a crude admission that he wants to stop the mob, while the gritty “3 Digits” starring Rock brings the two together, explaining that this life is all about drugs, money, weed, women and standing out of. After the episode, Kool G Rap joined Saigon on “Make Money” to menacingly discuss how to stack up, and just before “Home of the Wild” starring Al Skratch, the two were spotted talking with dusty faces Featuring the wildest music from New York.
Pete Rock, one of my top 5 producers, showed off their recklessness by jumping into some funky poppin’ shit in the booth at Get Loose, but then “Stop Poppin’ Shit !” Craig G hopped across the piano with a mix of kicks and snares to call for an end to gun violence. “We Were Stars” menacingly addresses the situation, while “Dangerous” featuring Sadat X returns with hardcore lyricism.
“Tournament” orchestrally breaks down a torture tournament that only costs 64 cents to enter, while album closer “The Era” shows everyone that reinforcement really means something beyond kicks and snares. Bonus track “Sveriges Regent (Sweden All-Stars)” featuring ADL, Ayo, Petter and Timbuktu really caps things off with a thunderous showcase of Swedish hip-hop’s finest MCs.
Pain, Peace, and Prosperity has its highlights, and while I don’t like it as much as “777: Resurrection,” “The Age of Jordan” has proven itself to be Saigon’s best full-length novel in about a decade, almost as much as “777” The standards are comparable. We’re taken on a cultural journey from ’84 to ’98 through the eyes of young Saigonites, with guest appearances from pioneers and production by Fredro paying homage to hip-hop’s roots.
Score: 8/10
