It wasn't an easy choice, but Saigon has finally disembarked from the sinking ship that is Atlantic Records' hip-hop division. After what must have been a frustrating four-year run, the Brooklyn MC says he couldn't see eye to eye with the label on the creative end. Saigon, who's known for his gritty rhymes, claims that Atlantic urged him to record ringtone singles. "Atlantic wanted me to do ringtone songs but they didn't sign me as a ringtone artist," he said in a recent Billboard.com interview.

The good news, though, is that Saigon can still release his long-delayed debut album elsewhere if wishes to. As Sai's producer and friend Just Blaze confirmed on his blog, megatrondon.com, they retained 100% of the masters for Saigon's music under the terms of his release. Blaze also thanked Atlantic "for recognizing the situation for what it really was and doing the right thing." Is Saigon shopping for a new deal? You bet. But don't expect to see him on a major label anytime soon. "I'm not that excited about going to a major label," he told Billboard. "They would have to make it so I'm set for the rest of my life. They want too much for the little that they're giving."

Ha! Good luck with that.

Photo © Henry Adaso