Saigon – “777: The Resurrection” (EP Review)

This is the 2nd EP from New York veteran Saigon. Despite being around for 20 years, it wouldn’t be until 2011 when he would make his full-length debut by dropping The Greatest Story Never Told under Suburban Noize Records. The album would spawn a sequel to fulfill his contract on Subnoize the following year & then a final installment on his own imprint Squid Ink Squad Records in 2014. However after a 6 year hiatus & a new deal with Strange Music’s new subsidiary It Goes Up Entertainment, Saigon is enlisting STREETRUNNER for 777: The Resurrection.

The EP starts off with an touching sequel to the 2006 loosie “Pain in My Life” whereas the next song “Promise Ring” is an empowering heart to heart conversation with Saigon’s daughter over a glamorous instrumental. The track “Bullets-19” talks about gun violence over a boom bap beat with a perfectly incorporated sample while the song “Spooky” speaks on the rap game over a nocturnal trap beat.

“The Motherfuckin’ Effect” with Kool G Rap sees the 2 showing off their rapping prowesses over a harmonious loop while the penultimate track “Lil B.I.G.” is wordplay galore over a beat that has a bit of a 9th Wonder feel to it. “The Middle Finger Song” disses to a wide range of people from Saigon’s father to Hot 97’s Ebro Darden backed by a soulful instrumental.

If you wanna hear an East Coast legend make a strong comeback, then you’re gonna love this as much as I do. Not only does Saigon sound refreshed, but the way he brings a unique perspective to all the problems we‘re facing in the world today. As for STREETRUNNER’s production, there are A LOT of soul samples on here & he incorporates them into each song very well.

Score: 9/10