Saigon has been navigating some troubled waters lately. Between now and the last episode of The Greatest Story Never Told, Sai has caught a weapons charge, ruffled Mobb Deep's feathers and seen yet another release date for his long-overdue album. The video of him scuffling with some Mobb Deep hangers-on was more confusing than the speculation from both sides about it. The melee, the surprise appearances in news items, the new release date all raise some pertinent questions. Has Saigon become the red herring of hip-hop? He has been able to surpass the label internet rapper by having songs played on radio stations nationwide and a video in rotation on several channels. His next single "Come On Baby" will also bring the public some unadulterated Saigon music. Then again, his label dangles the album before rabid internet fans like the carrot lure never to be captured. After experiencing friction with Atlantic and his most vocal sponsor, Just Blaze, it seems as if Saigon has plateaued - or worse yet, fear plateauing so he's stirring up controversy to keep his name relevant. Sometimes being as prolific as Lil Wayne or as well-liked as Joell Ortiz just isn't enough. Between now and December 4th (the proposed drop date) he will certainly face more adversity. I can't imagine his label wanting to put him up against guys like Nas and the Wu Tang Clan sight unseen. Even people who don't listen to hip-hop listen to Nas and Wu.
If Saigon's album should indeed live up to its title, why not just release it? There's no A&R, CEO, manager or producer who would allow a great album to wilt as time goes on. In fact, Saigon seems so confident in his work, a leaked album might profit him more from fan indulgence and visibility than this mysteriously absent one. He could tour, link with other artists to do remixes, and breathe much-needed life into a quizzical career. For now, he has only hurt himself by being so obviously talented with very little to show for it. Will Saigon's album ever drop? Or will it be one of those lame battle rap punchlines for everyone who remembers him years from now?
As fan and a critic, I've been impressed by his work and his stage performance. With nothing to review, he's already made a bold mark in the minds of knowing followers. But his legacy has yet to be determined and, as Prodigy cynically noted, he's no legend. For all the missteps among rap legends (LL going against Jay in the twilight, Havoc's Kush album) they still have their laurels to rest on. Saigon seems neither content nor complacent but he has definitely lacked for hunger choosing to accept the title "Long Awaited" as some accomplishment in itself. If he ever gets over this, we may hear one of The Greatest [Stories] Never Told. If not, we can reserve a space for him in the "I Remember When" annals of internet rap circa 2005-2007.