I’ve already discussed my love for Ghostface Killah on this
website, so it’s only natural that I fell for Action Bronson when I heard him
for the first time, guesting on A$AP Rocky’s gang track “1 Train.” To say he
resembles Ghostface would be a gross understatement, the two are essentially identical
twins born 11 years apart. Between the lyrical similarities and a voice and
delivery that are easily interchangeable, Action Bronson, who also cites Kool G Rap as one of his favorite rappers, seems destined for greatness
in the rap scene.
However, he hasn’t achieved it yet. Originally a flambé chef
of high renown in New York City, the former Arian Asllani transitioned into a
rap career around the beginning of the decade and has averaged two mixtapes a
year since then. While originally staying under the radar, Bronson blew up in
2012: his collaboration with The Alchemist (Anger Management-era Eminem’s DJ) Rare Chandeliers featured appearances
from Schoolboy Q and Styles P and Bronson himself guested on “1 Train” and
Inspectah Deck’s “It’s Raw.” His marketing
campaign, which includes a Youtube cooking show series “Action in the Kitchen,”
only added to his appeal. After all, how can you go wrong with a man who
combines GFK and Raekwon?
Bronson’s persona, equal parts Mafioso and cocinero, is
surprisingly appealing; but it’s his wordplay that really sells him. A unique
mixture of pop culture references (You’re staying broke like Maury with the hip),
obtuse phrases (Drinking Henny like I’m Kenny Lofton) and food talk that finds
a way to sound illegal (the lamb was laced with fennel), the lyrics are largely
free-associative with a flow that makes his finely-crafted verses sound
effortless. This is the biggest difference between him and Ghostface Killah:
where Ghostface sounds constantly hyped on cocaine, Action Bronson is
perpetually fresh off of a bong hit- slowly winding his way through his verses
that often go nowhere and incorporate jokes that only he can understand yet
have everyone laughing because his delivery sells them. Action Bronson calls
himself the vigilante of rap (Rare
Chandeliers even has a cover of him with a double barrel shotgun) and the
way he has been effecting the game away from the ears of the mainstream seem to
imply that one day he will become the hero that rap music deserves.
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