For a rapper who has never had a proper album in stores, Saigon has a commendable resume. Solely off of the strength of his mixtapes, the upstate New Yorker inked a deal with super producer Just Blaze's Fort Knocks imprint with Atlantic, landed a recurring role in HBO's hit series “Entourage,” and earned a spot in TIME magazine (not just XXL or THE SOURCE) as one of the magazine's “People To Watch.” And now, with his popularity at its peak, the anticipation is even stronger for the opinionated, street-savvy rhymes of his upcoming debut, The Greatest Story Never Told. In a candid interview with HipHopDX, Saigon opens up about working with Just Blaze, acting, and the value of self-earned success.

HipHopDX: So how do you feel with the overflowing anticipation for the album?

Saigon: It feels good, man. As long as people want it, that's my main concern. I don't think it's going to get to the point where people are like, “Fuck it, it's taking too long, I don't want it no more.” As long as people are still anticipating it, and Just Blaze keeps coming with them good ass beats, and we keep making better and better songs. I'm trying to make the album as close to perfect as possible. My album is real different, it's not like nothing that's out. It's going to be really worth the wait, it's a deep album man. Every black man in America should own that album.

HipHopDX: What do you think makes it so different?

Saigon: Just the content, man; what I'm talking about. And the music...I think that Just Blaze pushes himself, man. Everybody knows him for making a lot of hit records and club records. We've got records that can make you cry, records that can open your heart up. We're trying to make a classic, not just as a hip-hop album, but as far as music-wise, lyrics-wise, and just the feel and the vibe, we want it to be as good as we can possibly make it. That's the way it's coming out, it's coming out phenomenal. People who I've let hear a sample of what I've got, they're like, “Damn son, you're onto something real big.” That's why I don't really sweat trying to rush it out. I've never been more ready than now to come out; it's not liked I missed my opportunity, because like you said, the buzz is growing still.

HipHopDX: Like you said, Just Blaze's beats are consistently pushing the envelope. How much pressure do you feel to deliver over his beats?

Saigon: I feel a lot of pressure. You've got to think, he's one of the best producers in the world. I don't want to come in and fuck up his legacy. He has a legacy that he's trying to keep going. And him taking on me as an artist is his way of saying, “I'm willing to align myself with you.” I've got to come correct. I can't half-step, because if I fail, it looks like I'm the failure, because he's been winning up to this point [laughs]. He's been building careers. Jay-Z had a career, but there's a lot of artists, like Cam'ron, and Fabolous...without Just Blaze's records, they wouldn't be where they're at. Continued on page 2 »