The Greatest Story Never Told

Saigon's song "Preacher" came up on my iPod shuffle just now. So, I figured I might as well talk about the album. Not a review. Just a quick thought.

I am a Saigon fan. But, I'm not that impressed with the long-awaited album. I'm not sure if it was the build up - The years of anticipation, of release dates that came and went, the Entourage appearances that would have served as a solid springboard to commercial success if Atlantic Records was at all competent - or that the album just isn't that good.

It may be a mixture of all of these things. When your album has been in the works and then completed for years w/out ever coming out, you better make damn well sure that if it ever does see a release date, that it is the best possible work you could have put out. I don't think this record fits that bill. The album doesn't sound like it has a definite direction, just a lot of different song concepts and sides to Saigon's persona all at once that round out to be a vague description of each at the end of the day.

I kept this in my iPod for now. But, I'm not sure I will ever get back to it with all of the new music coming out this year. The album just didn't grab and hold my interest like I thought it would, and I've moved right on. Don't get me wrong, there is some good material offered up from both Saigon and Just Blaze on The Greatest Story Never Told. But, it just doesn't hold up to the greatness anticipated by audiences since the project was announced. Perhaps a better way to deliver it would be to have completely shelved (or say that you shelved) the album w/ this title and released something entirely new and different to the fans...even if it wasn't.

What did you think of the album?? Agree/disagree? Let me know.

A Plea To All MCs Releasing An Album In The Future

This problem first become noticeable to me in the late 90's with releases from Big Pun and Puff Daddy. I couldn't understand it then, and I still don't today. I let it go, but it appears to be happening more and more recently and I've had enough. Let me give a few examples of recent offending songs just off the top of my head:

Royce Da 5'9" Feat. Phonte - "Something 2 Ride 2"
Saigon Feat. Grand Puba - "Who Can Get Busy"
Slaughterhouse Feat. Pharoahe Monch - "Salute"
KRS-One & Buckshot Feat. Pharoahe Monch - "One Shot"
Krs-One & Buckshot Feat. Talib Kweli - "Oh Really"

Now, what is it that all of these songs have in common? Anyone? Give up?

They are all "featuring" some of hip hop's best MCs, yet each one of them stop short of having an actual verse delivered by the guest. What the fuck is going on?!?!?! Why have these artists on an album in the first place if it's just to record a hook? Do these names read like a list of background singers to you? Me either. Me either. And, I'm tired of getting excited about a new track just to be disappointed when the end comes without a verse from someone of, say Pharoahe fucking Monch's caliber. I thought one was bad. But, two features like this from him with no verse in a year's time. Are you fucking kidding me?! There's no reason for this. It makes me want to return the CD on principal alone. It's fucking false advertising is what it is. We the fans have been cheated.

So, to all MCs that I have respect for that are planning on releasing an album in the near future - please, please, please - respect your fans, and respect the artists that you work with for your album - ask them to bless you with a verse. This isn't Nate Dogg you asked to record with you afterall. It's Grand Puba. Act like you fucking know.

Thank you.

Warning Shots 2

When Saigon first started to make some noise in hip hop, I was definitely feeling his music right away. His philosophy went something like this from my perspective - he's been there and done that as far as the streets, crime, violence, and prison go, he's grown up now and wants to do something with hip hop to better his community instead of bringing it further down like he's sees so many others do. Grown up hip hop for all ages.

Having that as your goal, plus being affiliated with one of the most well-known producers of the last few years, AND possessing the mic skills to make people pay attention made me think that Saigon was sure to see some kind of success. Unfortunately, things didn't happen that way. His major label album produced by Just Blaze has seen countless release dates come and go over many years, he himself left the music biz (or claimed to) and came back, he got murdered on wax by Joe Budden in a beef that he started alone, and the list could probably go on. But, everything else aside, most of the music he did release was full of gems (with both good lyrics and a positive spin), and forced people to at least stay somewhat interested in his career if, and when it ever got started.

However, on his new 'street album' Warning Shots 2, Saigon seems all too eager to take part in the massive hypocrisy that makes up a pretty fair portion of hip hop music. And, he's willing to do it with an album full of, well, filler material. The misdirection and all out hypocrisy I'm talking about comes from Saigon's confused mind offering hope to the youth in one song, and then basically telling them he was just kidding in the next.

The release begins with three decent tracks that, while coming off kinda corny at times with the light and poppy sound of the beats, R&B vocals, and sometimes sappy lyrics are at least purposeful. He shows women respect, encouraging them to do something better with themselves than stripping at a club, and pleads with men to stop treating women like whores - "We're making it rain on our little sisters, on our nieces, on our babies ya'll. Let's get it together." He then goes into a song called "Fatherhood (Rayne Dior)" dedicated to his daughter and being a good father, protecting his little girl from the evils in the world.

I thought this was preparing the listener for the overall direction of the album, but no. After three positive, if not self-serving, pat-myself-on-the-back songs (see the outro to "That's Not What's Up" to see what I mean), Saigon delves into the exact frame of mind that he was just chastising a second ago and keeps it up for pretty much the length of the album. After getting the positivity and intelligence out of the way in the beginning, he proceeds to degrade women through numerous 'bitch, hoe, slut, suck my dick' type of lyrics (even talking about pissing on them at one point) on shitty songs and brag about how hard he is on others. Hearing all of this material in direct contradiction to what he claimed (or at least, used to claim) was his main purpose in hip hop makes me wonder, "how grown up is this guy, really?" Because to me, on this album, he just sounds like another dumb, immature kid trying to prove himself to the guys by showing off his ignorance. AND, most of the songs are weak lyrically.

"Rusty Gunz" produced by the always reliable Oddisee is definitely a solid record -if you are okay with the term "Featuring Lil' Fame" meaning a few words on a hook that could've just as easily been an M.O.P sample. 13 songs in, Just Blaze finally comes in with a track for his artist, "Who Can Get Busy" which is decent (1 of only 2 that Blaze produces), but nothing spectacular. Plus, you'd have to be okay with "Featuring Grand Puba" meaning contributing nothing but a weak reggae-influenced hook and some pointless blather at the end. Not to worry though; there are several guest verses on Warning Shots 2 if that's what you're looking for. They are from much less talented people, but hey, who needs a living legend to spit a verse when you have OJ Da Juiceman holding down a song about pussy with you?

At this point, I think it's safe to say that I think of The Greatest Story Never Told in the same way I think about Detox - I don't really care if it ever comes out or not. Saigon has gone from a capable and promising lyricist to a blatant hypocrite with only sporadic flashes of the talent he once demonstrated in his bars. Actually, it's not just hypocrisy. It's not just inconsistency. It's stupid. Saigon comes off sounding stupid on most of this album. Stupid and directionless. And, that's not gonna cut it for an MC that claims top 5 (yeah, you read that right), and thinks he can change hip hop for the better. It's not nearly enough. Don't get me wrong. I'm not writing him off completely based off of this one album (and a few past tracks), but Warning Shots 2 is a disappointment in so many ways that it has me questioning whether he has the ability to release a quality, official/studio/whatever album that is at all focused.

Bottom line, I don't know what the hell Saigon was thinking on this album, but I really hope he steps it up in every way for whatever he drops next.

Saigon should just quit while he's behind

Case in point: Saigon's response to "Pain in his Life" which I detailed in a post below.

http://www.zshare.net/download/544672997f39150b/

Fuck it. I'm just gonna cut and paste my comment from another site cuz I'm lazy. But, some people were actually giving Saigon credit for this track, which surprised the hell out of me and made me respond while giving my opinion. And, of course, when I critique I get called a hater by some idiot that can't take anyone giving an honest evaluation. Again, I like Saigon and will definitely check out his album if it ever drops. But, battling just isn't his thing. So, going against Joe Budden of all people is just stupid.

"Wow, this is really bad. Most of you guys are being way too nice. Even the shit where he flipped the letter J for Joey's name was weak because it was a complete hack move. For those of you that don't know, check out "Death Blow" by Kool Moe Dee. He did that shit with LL. I like Saigon usually, but this battle is really showing how limited the guy's skills are".

Joe Budden Vs. Saigon

Now, initially I thought this shit was just plain ridiculous. I like both artists, both clearly have skill. But, I'm getting tired of the constant 'battles' going on in hip hop because most of them are WWE - fake petty shit to get publicity for an album. On top of that, it's usually not about better skills - these rappers just wanna talk tough in someone's direction (see 50 Cent, for example). And with everyone beefing with everyone else, it just gets tiring. Why am I supposed to care? Just put out some good music!!
That's why it was so refreshing after Budden and Royce took a few light jabs at each other, they decided music would be better served if they joined forces. And with the two of them, plus Crooked I and Joell Ortiz, Slaughterhouse was formed - a group that has the potential to really help the cause of taking hip hop back to lyrical fury. A group like this nobody could keep up with. Needless to say, after hearing the couple tracks released already, I'm pretty pumped about this project.
But, now Budden decided to go after Saigon (stemming from a clever punchline in a Budden verse mentioning a current event with Sai that he took offense to - Sai started saying he would knock Budden out, and here we go again - WWE bullshit). When I first heard the diss "Letter to Saigon", I thought it was kinda dumb. While the lyrics were pretty good, the song was poorly structured and Budden's delivery sounded off. I thought that if this is all Budden was going to come with, why take the time at all?
Then Saigon's response came with "Underachiever". Again, I like Saigon a lot (except for all the crying last year). He has a lot of good material. But, he like Joe Budden, had label troubles that really held him (and hip hop) back. That being said, the song was pretty half-assed, busy calling Joey a fag and insulting his kid, rather than proving his lyrical dominance. Basically, it didn't get the job done. How long is this gonna go on for, I thought? I'm bored already.
But, then Budden came back to prove just how clever an MC he is. He released "Pain in his Life" today/yesterday (an allusion to a previous song by Sai called "Pain in my Life") and surprised everyone (including Sai no doubt) by showing how he just hustled his opponent like Billy Hoyle.
I hit play on this track and hear Budden proclaim that Saigon "fell for the mousetrap". It took me about halfway into the song to realize what he meant. Budden (childhood nickname "mouse" by the way) baited Saigon with a subpar diss initially to make him think that he could actually win. Saigon responded with his own that put me to sleep, and Budden responded at full force. And...unless Saigon can really pull something together I think it's safe to say that Joey bodied him on this track right here. Why?? Probably just for fun. A lyrical exercise.
Below are the lyrics delivered over the beat to "You, me, him, and her" (and thanks to 2dopeboyz for doing most of the work - I just made a few corrections):



It’s like a lose/lose already my rep ruined
How I beat dude we know will accept losing?
Underachiever was an underachiever
Almost thought that you would come with the Ether
I know he got niggas in his camp like “spaz on him”, gassin him, bafflin him
Real talk, some don’t wanna see ya
Scram shoulda put both hands around ya neck
Said you betta get ya head fucked from under the cleaver
I’m the one that’ll beast ya
You got a gut feeling you hot, I think you can’t stomach a fever
Can’t think of why a wack nigga want it with me for
I leave my mark on you like it’s one of ya features
Ask how I it feel to have Maino face
I’m way ahead man, this ain’t no race
Stop playing, I'm the bomb with the pen
I’m more like a bomb with no pin
How the fuck is Saigon gonna win?
He a loss of interest
Talking bout my son is senseless
So I make sure the dude can’t see, smell or hear
Can’t touch, can’t taste, now he defenseless
Cuz ain’t a bullet in this world he could bench press
Speak Tahiri, I'ma speak Austin
The one that’ll suck ya dick if you flossin
Game old bitch that everybody was tossin
The one that you literally begged for that abortion
So we both gone wild, see we both love hoes and that’s just our style
But Sai if you think it’s different my nigga you goin senile
I just kiss mine and yours is the mother of ya child
BLAOH! Shots peel at ya entourage
Nigga couldn’t get a deal on Entourage
How is it harder to be me?
If I lose in real life? But you can’t even win on TV
Me I’m probably iller, probably wit gorillas in ya lobby with the shotti and chinchillas
You a rapper or a bodybuilder?
I’ll have him in the E.R. with Doc trying to put him back together like a body builder
Please tell me why dude Just Blaze signed
Can’t even get a bassline outta BASELINE
Look at the new kid sounding stupid
Nigga I made Just more money than you did
The nerve of the loser
Keep trying to hide wack ass bars behind the work of producers
In the word of computers, is he M.I.A.
Cuz he been fell off like Yung Berg on the scooter
So him and his bas’ flow need to lay low
Couple red lights will ruin his whole stage show
And put him on my payroll
How he the Yardfather when I’m dictating where the grave go?
Been years, he’s taking L’s still
Turtle couldn’t help him, maybe a shell will
Don’t look like a winner to me
Small meal to a pitchfork, you lookin like dinner to me
Plus ya diss track sound like a beginner to me
Ya whole shine’s like a dimmer to me
Fight who nigga?
You betta know how we get it in Jerz
Velcro his tongue, hope dude stick to his word
Nigga you’ll be in an ally covered
And you don’t love the kids, you just want us to think that you Sally Struthers
I’ll pit you with the worse kind of men
Dudes who become everything they condemn
You’d think that jail learned him a lesson
Until he bragged bout everything he learned in jail
Nah, I don’t think his struggle is lackin
He did a long bid, came home and had trouble adapting
Afraid of adulthood, has trouble relaxin
No choices, had to try his hustle at rapping
Here’s a jewel, maybe you should put ya first disc out on Amazon
Before you go fronting when the camera on
And the poor fans kept the hope
But prison was the only place he was next to blow
So he calls me a fag like he homophobic
Cuz they had him on his knees like “homo, hold it!”
Run around, he screamin “O don’t poke it”
It’s a small world, how you think Joe don’t know it?
Guess there’s where the lies get deeper
Cuz he went in a tight end and came out a wide receiver
There’s bones in ya closet that you can’t hide
Ya fans know you went to jail, me I know why
Sai, you ain’t brollic enough
Somebody better play third wheel and try to stop the fuck
Cuz I’ll put it in 5th gear, like who he gonna threaten next?
Fill his whole body with metal, now he Weapon X
Had the upper hand from go
Shirt always off, “How Does It Feel”, D’Angelo to get naked like a down hooker?
My dudes outta town ‘ll book ya
Ya whole gangsta’s Brown Sugar
With no point to his vlog, had the world waiting
Flexing for ten minutes like he had a girl tape him
Just co-signed for you said you had a classic
Now he got no time for you, wrote you off on taxes
Now he lonely, vulnerable lookin soft
Tried to help him, I been in his shoes, I just took ‘em off
To put it simply, how could he offend me?
I can teach ‘em how to live real major on an indie
So picture dude upsetting me
Stop complaining and take control of your own fucking destiny
He blames radio, blames Atlantic
Craig Kallman, but I can’t blame ‘em they panicked
Nobody scared he’s like hockey, retired for a minute, came back and nobody cared
So for me to take this serious homes
Get Mook, Loaded Lux, Jin maybe Serius Jones
To help write your shit, make it brand anew
If not look for the nation to abandon you
Be mad at yourself and ask yourself
You know I’m a rap giant, why Plax yourself?
Dude went ahead, axed himself
He cut off his nose to spite his face, Mike Jacked himself
Bryan, how the fuck you think less of me?
When you easily the less MC
Thought it’d be fun but that’s deaded to me
This point im battling my own perception trying to beat what’s expected of me
Nino Bless said you was a bull too
But im in widescreen, I aint see that full view
I know how ya hoe ass felt
Make it so you can’t eat, put an extra hole in that belt
Ain’t a gain in site
Coco Chanel ain’t the only nigga that’ll put pain in his life
Dead weight, get ya head straight
Cut the track off, listen to ya thoughts, checkmate.

D/L: http://www.zshare.net/download/54339054bc723720/