Think back to 2005: Bush was still president, MySpace was the shit, and we all believed Saigon’s The Greatest Story Never Told would live up to the hype. Fast forward to 2010 and we’ve got a black President, Twitter beef, and Saigon’s The Greatest Story Never Told most definitely lived up to…its title. That is, until now. Earlier this week, Saigon let Complex listen to his oft-delayed debut album and claimed it would be released next February. Although the album was played out of sequence and Saigon held back a few tracks, we got to hear the majority of one of the holy grails of hip-hop music, and now we’re ready to prove that it actually exists."The Greatest Story Never Told"
Produced by: Just Blaze
Complex says: This song doesn't have a real hook, just DJ scratches. But Saigon lets loose, spitting lines like, "White people look at you and laugh/Like you's a porch monkey acting like an ass" and "We was brought here to pick cotton/Now we making the music you rocking." Saigon's raps are more socially conscious than you'd expect from an artist who is sometimes pegged as a gangsta rapper.
Complex says: This song doesn't have a real hook, just DJ scratches. But Saigon lets loose, spitting lines like, "White people look at you and laugh/Like you's a porch monkey acting like an ass" and "We was brought here to pick cotton/Now we making the music you rocking." Saigon's raps are more socially conscious than you'd expect from an artist who is sometimes pegged as a gangsta rapper.
"The Invitation" f/ Q-Tip & Fatman Scoop
Produced by: Just Blaze
Complex says: Another Just Blaze banger and, just like the first track, the beat is sonically in the same vein as Just Blaze's "Exhibit C." Similar to how The Megatron Don brought a level of soul to Jay Electronica's instant classic by sampling Billy Stewart's "Cross My Heart," the sample on this track harmonizes in the background as Sai Giddy raps about how you're practically invited to grab guns and sell drugs in the hood. Clever lines aside ("They focus is/Trying to make sure the blacks stay in the back, same place as the scoliosis is"), Q-Tip hops on the hook and keeps it hip-hop, chanting, "And you don't stop." Towards the end we expected Just Blaze to get on the track and talk shit again, but instead Fatman Scoop jumps out of the bushes to hype the track up even more.
Complex says: Another Just Blaze banger and, just like the first track, the beat is sonically in the same vein as Just Blaze's "Exhibit C." Similar to how The Megatron Don brought a level of soul to Jay Electronica's instant classic by sampling Billy Stewart's "Cross My Heart," the sample on this track harmonizes in the background as Sai Giddy raps about how you're practically invited to grab guns and sell drugs in the hood. Clever lines aside ("They focus is/Trying to make sure the blacks stay in the back, same place as the scoliosis is"), Q-Tip hops on the hook and keeps it hip-hop, chanting, "And you don't stop." Towards the end we expected Just Blaze to get on the track and talk shit again, but instead Fatman Scoop jumps out of the bushes to hype the track up even more.
"Bring Me Down"
Produced by: DJ Corbett
Complex says: Looks like this will be the first single off the album. The record was written in response to all the people who ragged on Saigon for failing to release a solo album and for getting dropped from his label. After playing this rock-oriented track, Sai joked, "That's for the white people, man." LOL.
"Come On Baby" f/ Jay-Z & Swizz Beatz
Produced by: Just Blaze
Complex says: Looks like The Yardfather was able to strong-arm his masters and keep this Just Blaze banger as well as Jay's verse from the remix. Only difference is, Saigon didn't keep his verse from the remix—instead, he used his first and third verse from the original version and stuck Jay's verse in the middle. Either way, this song still sounds pretty good after all these years. Funny story: Saigon mentioned that the reason Jay got on the record was because Jay kept taking all the beats Just Blaze meant to give him. He even claimed that Jay's "Show Me What You Got," "Ignorant Shit," and "Kingdom Come" were all originally meant for him.
"Clap" f/ Faith Evans
Produced by: Just Blaze
Complex says: Remember when Jay told Kanye to "take 'em to church" on "Heart of The City" and they brought in the claps? This entire beat is pretty much a riff on that. Beyond the soul claps, what really gives the song its "church" feel are the roars provided by Faith Evans—who was nine months pregnant when she recorded her vocals. The song itself finds The Yardfather taking a look around the community and rapping about all the things we need to get rid of like jails, group homes, and even all the Chinese restaurants. Damn Sai, let General Tso live!
Complex says: Remember when Jay told Kanye to "take 'em to church" on "Heart of The City" and they brought in the claps? This entire beat is pretty much a riff on that. Beyond the soul claps, what really gives the song its "church" feel are the roars provided by Faith Evans—who was nine months pregnant when she recorded her vocals. The song itself finds The Yardfather taking a look around the community and rapping about all the things we need to get rid of like jails, group homes, and even all the Chinese restaurants. Damn Sai, let General Tso live!
"Preacher"
Produced by: Just Blaze
Complex says: Here's where the album really comes into focus. "Preacher" reveals that the album's title isn't just a statement, it's the concept to the record itself: Saigon is out to tell the untold stories of the black community. "Preacher" dismantles the Creflo Dollars of the world and how they live the lavish life while peddling hope (and collection plates) to the poor and hopeless. The song was probably recorded a few years ago (he references Bloomberg's ban on cigarettes), but in light of the Bishop Eddie Long scandal, it's as potent as ever.
Complex says: Here's where the album really comes into focus. "Preacher" reveals that the album's title isn't just a statement, it's the concept to the record itself: Saigon is out to tell the untold stories of the black community. "Preacher" dismantles the Creflo Dollars of the world and how they live the lavish life while peddling hope (and collection plates) to the poor and hopeless. The song was probably recorded a few years ago (he references Bloomberg's ban on cigarettes), but in light of the Bishop Eddie Long scandal, it's as potent as ever.
"Enemies"
Produced by: D. Allen
Complex says: For some reason, these next two songs were played out of order. The next track plays into this track, but Sai played this one first. Either way, the song is a bitter breakup letter to the streets who led Saigon astray. Too bad this album didn't come out when it was supposed to, since Lupe's last album had a similar concept.
Complex says: For some reason, these next two songs were played out of order. The next track plays into this track, but Sai played this one first. Either way, the song is a bitter breakup letter to the streets who led Saigon astray. Too bad this album didn't come out when it was supposed to, since Lupe's last album had a similar concept.
"Friends"
Produced by: Just Blaze
Complex says: We only heard a snippet of this song, but it serves as a companion piece to "Enemies." As the title suggests, it's about Saigon's friends, but not the kind you'd expect. Instead of reppin' for his crew, Sai shouts out all the people he hated on when he was younger, but when he got older he realized they were trying to help him. He even gives a special shout-out to the older dudes who wouldn't buy him beer when he was younger before hating on the dudes who did. Damn, Sai, be easy; sure, we buy kids liquor, but how else is little Timmy gonna experience the awesomeness of Four Loko?
Complex says: We only heard a snippet of this song, but it serves as a companion piece to "Enemies." As the title suggests, it's about Saigon's friends, but not the kind you'd expect. Instead of reppin' for his crew, Sai shouts out all the people he hated on when he was younger, but when he got older he realized they were trying to help him. He even gives a special shout-out to the older dudes who wouldn't buy him beer when he was younger before hating on the dudes who did. Damn, Sai, be easy; sure, we buy kids liquor, but how else is little Timmy gonna experience the awesomeness of Four Loko?
"Down This Road Before" f/ DJ Corbett
Produced by: DJ Corbett
Complex says: Another track produced by DJ Corbett, who even lays his vocals on it. The result is unlike any Saigon track we've heard before; Corbett is more Chris Martin than Trey Songz, and the beat is much more rock than soul. From the sound of it, this'll be a single.
Complex says: Another track produced by DJ Corbett, who even lays his vocals on it. The result is unlike any Saigon track we've heard before; Corbett is more Chris Martin than Trey Songz, and the beat is much more rock than soul. From the sound of it, this'll be a single.
"Its Alright" f/ Marsha Ambrosios
Produced by: Kanye West
Complex says: Late last year, Just Blaze debuted this song on Shade 45 the same night he debuted "Exhibit C." It sounds the same as it did then. Sure, it's a Kanye West beat and a Marsha Ambrosius hook, but for some reason the song couldn't connect..and it still doesn't. A strange phenomenon, since all the right pieces are in play.
"Oh Yeah (Our Babies)"
Produced by: Buckwild
Complex says: Anyone disappointed to see that some of these songs are produced by anyone other than Just Blaze need not worry. To hear the former Entourage star tell it, although Buckwild is credited with producing the track, Just still had a heavy hand in putting the hook together. But the hook isn't rapping or singing—it's audio clips from a documentary (Saigon couldn't remember the title) about poor black kids in Chicago. The kids are the real star of the track because no matter what Saigon spits, you really can't top a little kid talking about how he was playing Playstation when he heard his aunt letting off shots on the block. Damn, auntie was putting in work like that? Life as shorty shouldn't be so rough.
Complex says: Anyone disappointed to see that some of these songs are produced by anyone other than Just Blaze need not worry. To hear the former Entourage star tell it, although Buckwild is credited with producing the track, Just still had a heavy hand in putting the hook together. But the hook isn't rapping or singing—it's audio clips from a documentary (Saigon couldn't remember the title) about poor black kids in Chicago. The kids are the real star of the track because no matter what Saigon spits, you really can't top a little kid talking about how he was playing Playstation when he heard his aunt letting off shots on the block. Damn, auntie was putting in work like that? Life as shorty shouldn't be so rough.
-complex.com
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