[DISCUSSION] Saigon - The Greatest Story Never Told (10 Years Later) - HipHop | HipHop Channel

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[DISCUSSION] Saigon - The Greatest Story Never Told (10 Years Later) - HipHop

[DISCUSSION] Saigon - The Greatest Story Never Told (10 Years Later) - HipHop

[DISCUSSION] Saigon - The Greatest Story Never Told (10 Years Later)

Posted: 15 Feb 2021 03:53 PM PST

The Greatest Story Never Told is the debut studio album by American rapper Saigon, released February 15, 2011 on Suburban Noize Records. The album was initially scheduled to be released in 2007, but experienced numerous delays due to issues with Saigon's previous label Atlantic Records. Although primarily produced by Just Blaze, The Greatest Story Never Told features additional production from several renowned producers, such as Buckwild, Scram Jones and Kanye West, with guest appearances from Black Thought, Bun B, Faith Evans, Jay-Z and Q-Tip, among others.

In its opening week, The Greatest Story Never Told entered on the Billboard 200 at number 61, selling 11,000 copies. In its second week, the album sold an additional 4,800 copies, bringing its total sales to around 16,000. As of March 6, 2011, the album has sold 19,000 copies in the United States. Upon its release, The Greatest Story Never Told received rave reviews from music critics and hip hop publications, who complimented the album's intellectual lyrics, soulful production, and overall cohesiveness.

Background

In the late 1990s, Brian "Saigon" Carenard was sentenced to jail time at Napanoch's Eastern Correctional Facility, serving a sentence for first-degree assault after shooting at someone in a bar. One day, while in the recreation yard, Brian met a fellow inmate named Hakim, who rapped and had a reputation for incorporating positive messages, and heavy use of prestigious vocabulary, in his rhymes. Carenard would later state that battle rapping with Hakim would help instigate his personal rehabilitation, as he set a course for redemption through hip hop music. While serving time, Brian named himself "Saigon" after reading Wallace Terry's book about the Vietnam War. This book helped realign the content and diction in Saigon's raps, as did the advice of a prison lifer: "There's no right way to do wrong." Saigon was eventually released from prison in the year 2000, and immediately recorded mixtapes, with the goal of obtaining a record contract as a means to release a debut album, which he wanted to be titled "The Greatest Story Never Told."

With the help of the underground buzz that he had garnered over the years, Saigon signed a record deal with Atlantic Records in 2004. Despite the co-sign from producer Just Blaze and collaborations with several acclaimed rap artists such as Jay-Z, Kanye West and Kool G Rap, Saigon's record label repeatedly balked at setting a release date for his debut album. Saigon revealed that he realized as early as two months into his deal with Atlantic Records that there were problems. He later recalled how his early excitement at signing to the same label that "had so much history with black music, like Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles" was quickly dampened when they suggested he record a radio-friendly song with the Miami-based R&B quartet, Pretty Ricky. He also recalled a meeting with an Atlantic executive who told him "We need our three singles, then you can bust your artistic nut on the rest of the album."Saigon, however, wasn't willing to comply with this request, and only one year after signing with Atlantic, he hired a lawyer to work out a release from his label. He explained, "They signed me knowing the kind of music I was making, but then they try and change the direction."

This, however, didn't prompt a break from his record company, as they offered a few stipends, leading him and his fans to believe they'd still eventually put the record out. Saigon later suspected that Atlantic wanted to make sure he didn't take the material elsewhere and benefit from the buzz he'd created. While caught in this issue with Atlantic, Saigon continued to perform freestyles on hip hop radio shows, release mixtapes, and also continued to write and record The Greatest Story Never Told. Despite not having an official album out, Saigon gradually became somewhat of a high-profile hip hop artist, as he appeared on the covers of several magazines and had a recurring role playing himself on the hit HBO show Entourage.

Controversies

MySpace blog

On June 1, 2007, Saigon posted a blog entry on his MySpace stating that he felt Atlantic Records didn't have the desire to release his album because he is a real artist, not a "jingle writer," and they only care about the money, not the music. He stated that the album will be released independently if Atlantic will not release it. Saigon later took down that blog because he thought it offended Just Blaze.

On June 14, 2007, Just Blaze responded to Saigon's comments on his own blog. He stated that he was not offended by the blog but just didn't understand why Saigon would post it now when the only thing holding up the album release is a sample clearance for the single "C'mon Baby," which Craig Kallman — president of Atlantic — was personally handling. Saigon then posted an apology to Just Blaze. Just Blaze later posted that all samples had been cleared. The issue has since been resolved.

Retirement rumors

On November 19, 2007, Saigon posted a blog entry on his MySpace entitled "I QUIT," announcing his retirement from the music industry. In a statement he gave to HipHopGame.com late in the day, he said, "This is it. The Greatest Story Never Told...I guess you could say it was prophecy," implying that the album would not be released. On November 26, 2007, Just Blaze posted a blog stating that he was putting the final touches on The Greatest Story Never Told. He continued to hint that the album may in fact be released. On December 19, 2007, exactly one month from the first blog, Saigon posted another blog stating that he had reconsidered retiring. He also said that the album would indeed be released, saying, "My album WILL be released VERY soon." The album's executive producer stated that The Greatest Story Never Told had undergone its final mastering on January 8.

In an interview with hiphopgame.com, Just Blaze explained various reasons behind the numerous delays of The Greatest Story Never Told, the most prominent being that he wished to establish a relationship with Saigon before creating an album. In said interview he expressed that "...people wouldn't have found out about the deal until maybe a year and a half ago as opposed to three years ago."[11] Saigon had stated that he planned to release the album by September 30, 2008,[12] but was unable to achieve this.

Release from label

In May 2008, Just Blaze announced Saigon's release from Atlantic, while acquiring full ownership of the album. Shortly after this announcement, Saigon stated there was a new situation in the works, and that they were getting a new deal and the album would be released in 2011. Saigon claims that he's never been given a definitive reason why Atlantic refused to release the album, but on the song "Believe It," he raps, "They rather me pretend to be something that I'm not/I'm the new Public Enemy, I'm different than Young Joc."

RYM Review:

It's totally irrelevant to anyone reading this in 2020, but when this dropped in 2011 it was...well, not a huge deal, but it had been after a tremendous wait and it was one of those Detox running joke situations where everyone assumed the album was vaporware. So the fact that this exists, mostly close to the form it was promised in the first place, is an accomplishment in itself. And it's actually much better than the typical "studio debut for a hyped mixtape rapper" deserves to be, because Saigon was never actually that good (lauded feature on "Criminal" aside). But here he has more Just Blaze beats than anyone ever has had the benefit of on a single project (maybe?), an extremely solid selection of ringers as features, the most quality sequencing you are going to get considering this is eighteen tracks and eighty minutes (if you must do the Contractually Obligated Lady Jams section, Raheem DeVaughn and Devin are the guests you want, and Bun and Thought lend gravity to the Strong Lyrical Conclusion- Saigon, to his credit, doesn't get washed by either) and his own performance is mostly extremely solid. Yet even in 2011 this felt like a relic, so in 2020 it's positively ancient. But it's a charming throwback, Saigon has mastered the whole mid/late 00s NYC mixtape rapper BARS, SON flow, Just Blaze has never made a beat less than great, and it's nice to remember a time when you could drop your endlessly-anticipated thought-to-never-arrive debut needing only one Jay-Z verse and not one on every single track.

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Biggie Doc: I Got a Story to Tell coming to Netflix on 3/1 (Trailer)

Posted: 15 Feb 2021 07:41 AM PST

NME says Pablo was the last great Kanye album

Posted: 15 Feb 2021 02:26 AM PST

RIP KetchTheGreat of the stinc Team confirmed by destodubb on insta

Posted: 15 Feb 2021 02:47 PM PST

https://www.instagram.com/p/CLVGXi2M49G/?igshid=18d3fyblvjr3f

If you don't know about Drakeo and the Stinc team they have been doing huge things in the few months they just been out of prison and for years before tbat been doing ground breaking things in LA. Rest easy Ketchy :(

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The Weeknd - Reminder (Official Video)

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[FRESH] Megan Thee Stallion - Southside Forever Freestyle

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Future - News or Something

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The album cover of Donuts is a still image taken from the MED "Push" music video.

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Daily Discussion Thread 02/15/2021

Posted: 15 Feb 2021 10:31 AM PST

Welcome to the /r/hiphopheads daily discussion thread!

This thread is for:

  • objective questions with right/wrong answers (e.g. "Does anyone know what is happening with MIXTAPE?", "What is the sample in SONG?")
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  • meta posts...e.g. ideas for the sub

Do not create a separate self post for these types of discussions outside of this thread - if you do, your post will be removed, as stated in the guidelines.

Weekly/Monthly Threads

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There are a number of other ways to interact with other members of HHH:

New to /r/hiphopheads or hip-hop in general?

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Kevin Rudolf - Let It Rock ft. Lil Wayne

Posted: 15 Feb 2021 04:00 AM PST

JME, Frisco, CapoLee & Shorty have a 9-track album called Norf Face on the way with production from Skepta

Posted: 15 Feb 2021 01:29 PM PST

[DISCUSSION] Metal Fingers - Special Herbs: The Box Set Vol. 0–9 (15 Years Later)

Posted: 15 Feb 2021 09:25 AM PST

This limited edition box set of Metal Fingers' Special Herbs is made up of 3 CDs. The first two, are mixed extracts from the initial ten volumes of the Special Herbs series. The third disc is a collection of KMD instrumentals.

The Box Set was released on January 24, 2006, limited to 7,500 copies. Reissued with some minor artwork changes to the digipak inlay cards and the disc labels in August 2012, and unlike 2006's 3-CD Special Herbs mix, this collection contains all the beats in their full, original form, making it the definitive DOOM instrumental anthology.

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[FRESH ALBUM] Joey Fatts - G Way 2

Posted: 15 Feb 2021 09:00 PM PST

Apple Music

  1. Never Said it's Right
  2. All Blue 100s
  3. Machine in Motion
  4. Life Under the Scope
  5. Intermission
  6. Better Days (feat. Nhale)
  7. Feels Foreal
  8. Drowning
  9. Wtfut
  10. G Way Outro
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[FRESH VIDEO] slowthai - VEX

Posted: 15 Feb 2021 03:01 AM PST

Tekashi 6ix9ine Doc Director Calls Rapper "A Horrible Human Being"

Posted: 15 Feb 2021 09:29 PM PST

[DISCUSSION] Big Ghost LTD & Conway the Machine - IF IT BLEEDS IT CAN BE KILLED (One Week Later)

Posted: 15 Feb 2021 12:13 PM PST

BandCamp

RYM Review: Big Ghost Ltd & Conway the Machine Reinvigorate A Dying Art Form On 'If It Bleeds It Can Be Killed'

There are plenty of redundant partnerships in the world of music. More often than not, hip-hop's tendency to spew out whatever vaguely coherent cross-over album is stained with ulterior motives and complete transparency to attain commercial success. That's exactly why Big Ghost Ltd and Conway the Machine's latest album, 'If It Bleeds It Can Be Killed' is such a breath of fresh air. It's not the dynamic duo's first rodeo, but their previous efforts on 'No One Mourns The Wicked' left a lot to be desired. 'If It Bleeds It Can Be Killed' isn't just a case of the hip-hop evangelist's trumping their deflated efforts on a sister record, but instead, manifesting their most uncompromising traits and undying appreciation for gangster rap, into this harmonious marriage of all things unlawful.

Throughout the duration of 'If It Bleeds It Can Be Killed', Ghost and Conway forge a symbiotic relationship of sorts, made possible only through this shared mastery of stylistic understanding. On 'J Batters' Ghost lays down the foundation of the 90's inspired symphonic theatre that defines 'If It Bleeds It Can Be Killed'. Between the lavish strings and regal keys, it's this tailor-made fanfare that rolls out the red carpet for Conway to strut upon. It's as if we're in the presence of royalty. The raunchy saxophone and pillowy keys on 'Losses To Blessings', the record's resident sweetheart, is yet another moment where Ghost toys with an instrumental formula that's like second nature to Conway, but in its most elevated form.

On 'No One Mourns The Wicked', Ghost and Conway were finding their bearings and engaging in surface level, date-like conversation to understand what either artist brought to the table. 'If It Bleeds It Can Be Killed' by contrast, is a fine-tuned, precise craft. Conway reaches this pinnacle of mafioso on 'Highly Praised'. This non-stop slog of a crime spree has Conway sounding more lethal, and more like a glorified vigilante than ever before. These ideas trickle into the album's lead single 'Toast', where Conway places himself on a sovereign-like pedestal, as he glosses over themes of lawless business and career longevity. It's ironic that the album's title alludes to a level of mundanity and mortality when Conway comes across as a coked-up demi-god.

Sure, Ghost and Conway set the ball rolling as this two-man wrecking crew, but it's the addition of like-minded contemporaries that keep the listen fresh, and the duo on their feet. Blood-curdling cries lay the foundation to Conway and Shots' riot anthem on 'Way We Move'. The two throw listeners into the midst of the unsung hardships and cruel reality of life. As gritty and blackhearted as they are, I simply can't look past just how underutilised and non-essential Shots is made out to be. Things are rectified on 'Sons Of Kings' where Knowledge The Pirate joins the equation and feels like an unofficial third member in this Black Hand organisation. It's clear as day that the features are a necessity, rather than optional luxury, handpicked to amplify the hard as nails atmosphere of 'If It Bleeds It Can Be Killed'.

Those familiar with the catalog's of Big Ghost Ltd and Conway the Machine will know that 'If It Bleeds It Can Be Killed' is not so much unexplored territory, as the most eccentric and unique installment of their brand. You can vaguely anticipate what's to come, but this gangster's paradise is just one abrasive surprise after another. Ghost's maniacal genius steals the show on 'Kill All Rats'. The distorted bass and flickering disarray of synths steamrolls everything in its path, as I'm left feeling claustrophobic considering his constricting it is.

This wholehearted celebration of all things vile, putrid, and everything in between, bleeds into the very identity of 'If It Bleeds It Can Be Killed'. Another wildly unforgiving manifestation of this audio hatred is 'Red Beams'. Here, ear-shattering synths and graveling bass build this atomic bomb of abuse, all whilst Conway cuts right through the mix like a knife to the heart. There is no method to the records madness, but Ghost and Conway, being the anarchists they are, thrive in the chaos of it all.

There is something to be said about just how off the cuff and one-note 'If It Bleeds It Can Be Killed' is structurally. The album reads like a collection of freestyles, albeit high-quality ones, but freestyles nonetheless. It makes you wonder what could've been had 'Highly Praised' had a larger than life hook to truly sell Conway's iron-fisted rule. Equally as questionable is 'Toast', the track that boasts one of the closest things the album has to call a hook, that really is nothing more than a chop and screw, Kygo-esque, shapeless meltdown. It abandons the sanctity of the LP's intentionally unpolished sound and is just a plain mess that leads to the record feeling more like a first draft than a final edit at times.

One of the more bizarre fads within the mainstream as of late is this universal delusion that every rapper has what it takes to become the next r&b hotshot. Whilst I certainly appreciate Conway's attempts to plaster over the holes left by the LP's insufficient structure, his sung performances often end up doing more harm than good. Whether it's the nauseatingly dull murmuring on 'Losses To Blessings', or his strenuous efforts that spoil some of his most introspective and raw storytelling to date, on 'Forever Ago', Conway's starry-eyed aspirations of becoming a jack of all trades end up being a curse in disguise.

'If It Bleeds It Can Be Killed' is a short, and anything but sweet demonstration of two artists at the height of their powers. With Big Ghost Ltd effectively pulling the strings as this devious puppet master, piecing together his most consistent and exciting project to date, and Conway the Machine running riot, the two spoon-feed each other this delectably diabolic pinnacle of hard-core hip-hop. At times, it does feel like the pair are shackled by their own limitations, as cohesive structure and compelling hooks are a recurring Achilles heel on the LP, but at the end of the day, 'If It Bleeds It Can Be Killed' stops for no one, not even it's makers short-comings. It's to the point, uncompromising, and a tight-knit blend of both parties' strongest traits, that ultimately allows 'If It Bleeds It Can Be Killed' to shoot right to the top of the pair's discographies.

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[FRESH] Your Old Droog x Tha God Fahim - Slam Dunk Contest

Posted: 15 Feb 2021 12:14 PM PST

ONYX- last dayz is such a good old school song

Posted: 15 Feb 2021 02:42 PM PST

Keith Ape x Ski Mask The Slump God - Achoo! (Official Music Video)

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[FRESH ALBUM] Statik Selektah - The Balancing Act (Instrumentals)

Posted: 15 Feb 2021 10:10 AM PST

Your Old Droog x Tha God Fahim - Tha YOD Fahim

Posted: 15 Feb 2021 12:30 PM PST

Tha YOD Fahim Your Old Droog x Tha God Fahim

Album Releases Friday, February 19th, 2021.

1. Icee Shop / Entrées
2. Stretch
3. Charles Barkley
4. Mailman
5. Slam Dunk Contest (feat. Pharoahe Monch)
6. Brrt Simpson (feat. Left Lane Didon)
7. Reign Man
8. WNBA
9. The Dunking Dutchman
10. Long Time Coming
11. Disney World
12. Lost Smile
13. Questions
14. 90 From The Line Remix (Šarūnas Marčiulionis)

Beats:
Tracks 1, 3 - Preservation
Tracks 4, 8, 10, 12, 13 - Tha God Fahim
Tracks 4, 8, 10, 12, 13 - Tha God Fahim
Track 5 - Nottz
Track 6 - Theravada
Track 7 - Quelle Chris
Track 9 - J-ES
Track 11 - K Nite 13
Track 14 - Ghost McGrady

​

New Single:

Slam Dunk Contest ft. Pharoahe Monch

Previously released:

Charles Barkley

Mailman

Brrt Simpson ft. Left Lane Didon

​

Physicals Shipping May 17th, 2021

https://yourolddroog.com/collections/all/products/tha-yod-fahim-colored-vinyl

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Ketchy The Great - Fugazi (RIP)

Posted: 15 Feb 2021 03:33 PM PST

Gucci Mane Ft. Chief Keef - Top In The Trash

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Migos - Cross The Country

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Ghostface Killah - The Center Of Attraction (Ft. Cappadonna)

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