SOHH NYC

Written by SOHH Reckless

If you know Saigon, then many of you would expect all artists that are down with his Abandoned Nation organization to be a bunch of Mos Defs, Talib Kwelis, or Commons. Well, not really. Mr. Mecca, a rapper straight out of Jamaica Queens who has a style much different than Sagitty's gritty, street, hood-poetry sound, is now another member of the Abandoned Nation crew-- a move that would seem to be perceived by many who know of Mecca to be unexpected.

For any of Mr. Mecca's fans out there, here's his explanation:

"If your familiar with me, this could look a lil weird, kinda like Jin signing with Rough Riders. lol Trust me I know. Me and Saigon don't exactly make the same kind of tunes and I'm definitely more Ludacris than Frank Lucas. And no, I haven't been arrested. (With my hair? Are you kidding??)

"Fact is, AB has never been about Hollywood glitz, guns going off or glorifying any of the above. It's about real dudes using their past experience, negative or positive, to bring about real change. Actually trying to make things better and leading by example. Talking to the kids, organizing against gentrification in the hood and speaking on suspect shit when you see it. If you've ever really listened to Saigon you know that. And if I'm being offered a chance to work with a great artist interested in making great music and an organization more interested in doing than talking, why would I turn that down?"

The former battle rapper, born Malik Rashawn, teamed with German producer Croup to formulate the sound for his single "Swagger," which appears on his upcoming debut effort Last Exit.

"I just talk about real life on some real topic shit. We ain't all thugs. I've punched many people in the face and never sold a drug in my life. I've seen the hardest gangstas laugh their asses off and eat cereal. Nobody is grinding it out 24 hours a day. There are other parts of the hood besides that and if you let me, I'll show you."

------>Mr. Mecca - "Swagger"

Interesting. Especially since Saigon has been a little bit quieter than normal. Some rappers are just better as entrepreneurs. In other words, some rappers find that pushing other talent is the best way to go. But I doubt that this is the end for Sai. Stay tuned.