FINALLY...

Okay, so it's not "The Greatest Story Never Told".  And it's not over Just Blaze production.  But Saigon has finally dropped an album.  "All In A Day's Work".

Like a lot of people, I first heard Saigon on the "Yardfather" mixtapes (in 2004?  When was that?  I don't even remember) and was instantly hooked.  He had the lyrics, flow, delivery, content... plus had a knack for picking the right beats to compliment his style.  Honestly, the last time I heard a rapper with that kind of potential was 50 Cent in his pre-Shady mixtape days.  Then the buzz grew.  He linked with Just Blaze.  Signed with Atlantic.  Appeared on "Entourage".  The table had been set.  He was being groomed to be the next rap superstar.

Then everything began to crumble.  One album delay after another.  Then the Prodigy fiasco.  Then he claims retirement.  Then he claims it was a ploy to get out of his deal with Atlantic.  Then he's left label-less.  Then we don't hear anything for awhile.  Just Blaze is off making hits with T.I. and the like while the rest of wonder, "What the hell happened to Saigon?"

Then the Joe Budden beef pops off, et cetera et cetera, fast forward to now... we finally have a Saigon album.  And of course I (as many others) am still waiting on his much-vaunted (mostly by himself) proper debut album.  But until then, we have this maybe-not-classic-but-still-very-good "street album" to tide us over.  Statik Selektah's stock has been on the rise as a producer lately... and his gritty beats are an excellent compliment to Saigon's rugged-but-intricate flow.  For all those who constantly bitch and moan about the death of hip hop (myself not excluded), do yourself a favor, visit Itunes or Amalgam Digital's website, and go cop a real hip hop album.

(Here's one freebie to entice you.  Listen to how good just the intro is.)