NY Times Review of Action Bronson: Food on His Mind, and in His Stomach as Well
Food on His Mind, and in His Stomach as Well
By Jon Caramonica courtesy of
Action Bronson has no shortage of songs about, and inspired by, food — “Roasted Bone Marrow,” “Brunch,” “Ceviche,” “Dabble in Truffles”; the list goes on — but one of his best tackles the flip side of the gourmand style: weight loss. “Ronnie Coleman,” from his excellent “Dr. Lecter” (Fine Fabric Delegates) album, is a knowing and hilarious self-evisceration by someone who’s probably looked in the mirror and been unhappy with what he sees:
If I had a little motivation, money, and a hot body
I see it now, Bronson the heart-throbby
No more pigging out, bingeing on the late night
No more sneaking juice in a syringe to get the game tight
No more pack of hot dogs on my neck right by the fade, right
A beefy white rapper from Flushing, Queens, with a voice like Ghostface Killah’s, a 1990s New York sense of rhyme construction and a history of working in kitchens, Action Bronson is one of the most promising prospects in New York hip-hop. In the last year he’s released “Dr. Lecter” — which features beautiful, refreshing Tommy Mas production — and also the “Bon Appetit. … .Bitch!!!!!” mixtape. Both recall the sample-driven production and the densely stacked rhymes of the 1990s but transcend mere tribute.
Lamenting the death of New York rap has become a morbid parlor game in recent years; the conversation relocated a long time ago to Atlanta, to Miami, to Houston and plenty of other places. What New York began to lack as it lost its grip on the hip-hop center were true personalities. Like any genre, it needs characters.
This charm Action Bronson has in spades. He raps without breaking a sweat, making complicated rhymes sound easy. At the Gramercy Theater on Saturday night, he was extremely good company, a technician and a comedian all in one. He was hilarious on the sex track “Forbidden Fruit,” over smooth saxophone and oily guitar. He promised to “roast a lamb onstage and serve gyros next time.” Someone should give him a cooking show.
He took the stage to Pat Benatar’s “Love Is a Battlefield” and later, on “Eastern Promises,” he danced to what sounded like Greek wedding music. He had his D.J. play Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes,” then wandered around the stage, singing along, asking for indulgence from the small but rabid crowd.
Mostly, though, he was a complex and precise rapper, an evident heir to the New York formalist legacy. But while the rhymes were vintage, so was the structure of the show: songs that don’t make it past the first chorus, a mishmash of guests of varying quality, a slowly weakening center of gravity.
Action Bronson had a good reason for any fatigue, though. Earlier on Saturday he was in Brooklyn Bridge Park, making an appearance at the Meatopia festival, rapping and eating, but mostly eating. Onstage he was still wearing his pass from the festivities, bearing the title “Maharajah of Meat.”
After “Shiraz,” Action Bronson took a second to catch his breath. “I’m sorry if I’m missing some words,” he said. “I was eating all kinds of wild dishes.”
D Ross says:
The Times might be Bronsons biggest media allie 3rd time he’s been in the paper of record this year gotta mean something. Gracias Mr. Caramanica I don’t always agree with you but you a hell of a writer, always thought provoking, dialog inspiring and pretty funny. Big youself up kiddo!
IN A NY STATE OF MIND
NY City just like I pictured it
Crazy Dave Ortiz and yours truly at Daves new shop Dave’s Wear House at 23 Baxter st… Go it’s fresh!
Bruno Musso the founder of Shut Skates and my compadre Felix Arguelles two of the best people I know at Max Fish for Felix’s 42nd bday party and Ammo Supply co and Max Fish skateboard collab event
The lovely Kasia Sage and the legendary Keith Hufnagel aka Huf to yall at Felix’s event
Unions Chris Gibbs and Josh The Fish Fishel aka Mr.10Deep fishing it up at Max Fish
The Godfather of Noize and my good friend Rhazel…He’s the best beatbox you’ll ever see live at the Box at the Vans Frank 151 agenda trade show event
The man who designed my website and a brilliant young photographer and video director 13th Witness aka Timmy Mcgurr Futura 2000s son at the Box for the Vans/Frank Jumpoff
My friend the lovely Mink Jane who multi-tasks as the sexiest girl in streetwear/sales rep at Crooks and Castles
OG Risky AWR MSK also at the Vans/Frank event at The Box…Dudes a west coast graf legend and my man forever
Taki 183 painting from his book release event at The Hole Gallery NYC The History Of American Graffiti
Taki 183 was the first person to ever write on a train in NYC maybe the world. He is the true recognized pioneer of NYC graffiti
That is Taki 183 signing my book I am honored thank you sir
That would be one of my favorite Doctors ever Dr.Romanelli aka Darren to his friends
2 handsome devils: Josh Ozersky food critic for the NY Post and host of his own show on The Food Network and Action Bronson at Meatopia Mr.Ozorskys food festivel in Brooklyn…If you like Meat it’s a must go to it was unreal I think I gained 5 pounds that afternoon
Bronson doing Bronson…the pic explains it all
My favorite downtown couple: Chrissy Miller and Leo Fitzpatrick spotted at Meatopia…It was Leo’s birthday he turned 21 that sunny afternoon…
Action had a show on Saturday at The Gramercy Theatre he sold it out… An old friend Thirstin Howl The 3rd of Lo Lifes fame came thru to hang
Action non stage show casing his svelte figure
I like this weirdo shot so …
And this my friend is a yacht cruising the East River… dam that looks funand with that I say goodbye
NY feels good these days running the streets with Action Bronson, enjoying my gig doing A and R at Warners and I stopped smoking weed for the last 3 months. Feeling like a million bucks keeping that PMA flowing as I head out to LA for a few days for work then back to NY the foundation. Been staying put a bit more of late hanging with my family, friends and committing time to giving service at my church, practicing sobriety and furthering my study of transcendental philosophy. I haven’t felt this good in years and NYC has a lot to do with it!
THE BERRICS PRESENT HIPHOPHISTORY 101: THE EAST COAST-WEST COAST BEEF
This ones pretty cool not based in details as much as in philosophy. Peep it out I speak on one of HipHops darkest moments. As someone who spends a lot of time on both coasts I’m really glad that moment in time has passed and culturally we have moved on.
Enjoy
Dante Ross
PARTY SUPPLIES HOME REMIX LIVE
This is unreal my man just bodies the mpc1000 and the Edward Sharpe song Home…. The kids a genius he’s been working with Action Bronson on some amazing stuff….Next level unpredictable stuff… Mark my words Party Supplies will be the man this time next year he’s that talented.
Enjoy
Dante Ross
ACTION BRONSON LIVE GRAMERCY THEATRE 23rd
This will be interesting… Trying to change the openers wait and see what transpires… How dope would it be if it were Meyhem Lauren and Party Supplies or maybe Dymez-A-Dozen? Regardless this will be epic were gonna bring out the team… Come thru and see for yourself!
STEVE OLSON:OLSON,OLSON RECINE AND ASSOCIATES
BOBBY “BLUE” BLAND: A TRUE MUSICAL GIANT
This is Bobby “Blue” Bland one of the greatest singer of all time. Bobby Blue Bland was a key cog in the invention of modern soul music ranking right there Ray Charles and the oft over looked Joe Turner in terms of inventing the genre. Bobby Blue Bland was the link between the blues, race music ( A term used for early blues infused rock n roll which Joe Turner was often identified with) and the emerging genre known as soul.
Mr. Bland is often remembered for his classic blues recordings with B.B.King but in my eyes and ears his own recordings in the early 50’s on the duke and earl record labels are the high point in his illustrious career. He had a wonderful re invention of sorts in the early 70’s on ABC records with several funk influenced blues records which have in turn been sampled by the likes of Jay Z, Kayne West and many others. The long time Memphis resident is still at in his 80’s recording for Malaco records and still performing live. He still has his chops seen him a few times in recent years if you get the chance to go see the legend while you still can he is a true American treasure and perhaps the most under rated singer on the planet.
Here’s a few choice morsels for you guys:
I’ll Take Care of you. This tunes a personal favorite of mine and my pop’s who loved him so Bobby Blue Bland something awful.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jDezN6ZudU
The 1961 classic Tune On Your Love Light:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omibc6VzRho
His rendition of St.James Infirmary possibly the best cover of this tune ever:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHh4wBGQZD0
The Jay Z Sampled funky classic: Ain’t No Love In The City
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2vCAqdFx1s
I urge you to check out his catalog and see him live if you get the chance he is a true musical legend and giant. Bobby Blue Bland wont be around forever and when he passes we will have lost a true musical legend and hero.
Enjoy
Dante Ross
RANDOMS
THE BLACK OPERA: SLEEP TIGHT
This video is great… dope song too…. The Black Opera are on some cryptic and conscious thang Detroit style. Amazing rapping loving this good looks to House Shoes for putting me on. Dude said falling like Trouble T-Roy thats a quotable and a half!
Enjoy
Dante Ross
STEVE OLSON X ALEX OLSON X PHIL FROST X CURTIS KULIG X BOBBY RECINE: ART OPENING ALERT
My guys Steve and Alex Olson X Phil Frost X Love Me aka Curtis Kulig X Bobby Recine got a nice little art opening on Thursday. I seen the work it’s stunning please come you will be happy you did if you do!
Enjoy
Dante Ross
