$200 Thousand
What is Saigon’s Net Worth?
Saigon is a an American rapper and occasional actor who has a net worth of $200 thousand. Born Brian Daniel Carenard on June 1, 1977, in Brooklyn, NYC, he is a former inmate who set a course for redemption through hip hop music. Having spent his early childhood moving from one place to other, Saigon started selling marijuana at age 11 and soon he had joined in a neighborhood gang. By the time he reached 15, he had already been involved in several shootings for which he got jail time. It was at prison that Brian named himself “Saigon” and found peace in rapping along with fellow prisoner Hakim.
Once he was released from prison in 2000, Saigon immediately recorded several mixtapes with the goal to sign a record contract and to release a debut album, which he wanted to be titled “The Greatest Story Never Told”. Even though he inked a contract with Atlantic Records in 2004, due to their odd requirements he did not see the release of his debut in the near future. Apart from being caught in an issue with Atlantic, he still continued to perform freestyles on hip hop radio shows, release mixtapes, and also continued to write and record The Greatest Story Never Told. What’s more, he soon found himself on the hit HBO show Entourage, and eventually signed with the independent label Amalgam Digital. The Greatest Story Never Told was finally released in 2011, which was followed by the release of its sequel, The Greatest Story Never Told Chapter 2: Bread and Circuses, one year later.
Biography
Brian Daniel Carenard, known by his stage name Saigon, is a prominent American rapper. Despite facing numerous obstacles, his journey in the music industry has been marked by persistence and determination. This narrative explores his life and career, including his early challenges, his prison experience, struggles with record labels, and personal life revelations.
Early Life and Transformation
Saigon’s life began in Spring Valley, NY, born to an African-American mother and a father hailing from Port-au-Prince, Haiti. In the late 1990s, he found himself serving time at Napanoch’s Eastern Correctional Facility due to a first-degree assault conviction stemming from a barroom shooting incident. During his incarceration, he crossed paths with a fellow inmate named Hakim, known for his uplifting and intellectually rich rap style. Battling Hakim became a turning point for Saigon, inspiring his personal rehabilitation through hip-hop music.
While behind bars, Saigon adopted his stage name after reading Wallace Terry’s book on the Vietnam War, which reshaped the content and language of his lyrics. He also received invaluable advice from a seasoned inmate: “There’s no right way to do wrong.” These experiences laid the foundation for his music career.
Record Label Struggles
Upon his release from prison in 2000, Saigon embarked on creating mixtapes with the goal of securing a record contract and releasing his debut album, titled “The Greatest Story Never Told.” His underground buzz eventually caught the attention of Atlantic Records in 2004, leading to the release of his debut single, “Pain In My Life,” produced by DJ Cocoa Chanelle in 2006. Despite endorsements from renowned producers like Just Blaze and collaborations with esteemed artists such as Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Kool G Rap, Saigon’s debut album faced repeated delays due to label interference.
Saigon quickly realized the issues within his record deal, where artistic integrity clashed with commercial demands. The label suggested recording radio-friendly songs with groups like Pretty Ricky, which ran contrary to his artistic vision. Unwilling to compromise, Saigon hired a lawyer to seek an exit from his contract, as he remained caught in a protracted dispute with Atlantic. It became apparent that the label aimed to retain control over his material to prevent him from capitalizing on the buzz he had generated.
During this period, Saigon continued to build his profile through freestyle performances on hip-hop radio shows, mixtape releases, and the ongoing creation of “The Greatest Story Never Told.”
Rising Profile and Management
Despite the absence of an official album release, Saigon emerged as a high-profile hip-hop artist, gracing magazine covers and securing a recurring role as himself on the popular HBO series “Entourage.” He was also under the management of celebrity manager Glenn Toby and featured in the first XXL Freshman Class in 2007.
In 2009, Saigon signed with Amalgam Digital, a Boston-based new media company and independent label, providing him with a platform to further his music career.
Independent Label and Personal Life
In 2014, Saigon took a significant step by forming his record label, Squid Ink Squad Records, in partnership with global digital media company CPXi. His third studio album was slated for release in September 2014.
In 2020, Saigon made another notable move by signing with Tech N9ne’s label, Strange Music. Under this label, he released the EP titled “777: The Resurrection.”
Personal Life and Parenthood
Saigon’s personal life was not without its challenges and joys. In 2006, he endured a traumatic incident when he was stabbed in the temple with a wine bottle during an altercation. Despite the injury, he managed to seek medical help and received seven stitches at Bellevue Hospital.
At the end of 2008, Saigon embraced fatherhood with the birth of his daughter, Rayne Dior Carenard. She served as the inspiration for his single “Fatherhood” and even made an appearance in the song’s music video, directed by Derek Pike. Furthermore, Saigon’s participation in the reality TV show “Love & Hip Hop: New York” in its fourth season revealed that he is also a father to a son, born to Erica Jean, though not to the same mother as his daughter.
