Saigon and Just Blaze Struggle To Find A Home

"The Greatest Story Never Told" was the name is Saigon's debut album and it couldn't be anymore true. After countless delays, push backs and failed singles, Atlantic Records and NYC Rapper Saigon eventually agreed to part ways. On top of that, Saigon's mentor and beat maker Just Blaze also left Atlantic records with his Fort Knocks Entertainment label.

Back in May when the news was announced that Sai was moving on, he said that himself and Just were currently looking for a new home and things were moving along. He even went so far as to say that the album would come out as early as 1st quarter next year.

Turns out, that was a little premature as many labels are now balking at the prospect of bankrolling and distributing a new, unproven label with a flagship artist who hasn't proven himself at retail. Labels are hurting now more then ever. Album sales are down, hip hop sales are WAY down, budgets have been cut and we're in a recession (we try to blame George Bush wherever we can). These major corporations are only going to look at the bottom line when signing new acts. A "new act" (meaning, debut full length major label album) is going to need a major budget in order to be able to compete with the TI's, the Kanye West's and even the Lupe Fiasco's. The unfortunate reality is, the amount that the album could realistically sell, does not warrant that large of a budget. So the artist is caught in a catch-22 and has no outlet for his fans.

Saigon has bangers and loads of potential. The man is a beast on the mic. He has dropped many-a-hot mixtapes but dealing with the major corporations is a whole new story. Just Blaze has relationships at every major label, being that he has made bangers for almost every urban act out today. Getting the meetings has not been a problem but their personal relationship can only go so far. The line has to be drawn somewhere and that line is called.....the bottom line (Cause' Stone Cold said so).

The Dollar.

The Guap.

The Cheese.

It makes the world go round' and until Saigon and Just Blaze find someone to take a HUGE risk, we have a feeling the debut album from Saigon will continue to sit on the sidelines.

Does it even matter if an artist "blows up" anymore? Why are sales so important in the hip hop game? Isn't the quality of the music all that really matters?