Action Bronson is the kind of rapper who, mid-performance at an outdoor festival, heads to a porta-potty and goes to the bathroom, still rapping without missing a beat. That says all you need to know about the burly, bearded Queens native’s boisterous personality. He’s unafraid to gross you out and make you laugh, but, in a weird way, his ever-present goofiness and undeniable prowess behind the mic are totally lovable.
The 31-year-old Bronson, whose real name is Ariyan Aslani (he also goes by a variety of nicknames like Bam Bam, Bronsolino and Mr. Wonderful), began as a sous chef in New York City before an injury on the job led to a long recovery and a new career as an MC. He then released a series of free mixtapes that featured songs loaded with lyrics about his love of expensive meals, exotic locales and chuckle-worthy references. (See: “I’m a young Mike Singletary, style shitty like a dingleberry” off his 2011 single “Blackbird”). Now, with major label backing, he’s ready to introduce his off-kilter but charming persona to the world with his official debut album, “Mr. Wonderful.”
The record has all the delicious ingredients of a Bronsolino release:
1.Ridiculous boasts, like on “Falconry”: “I know you see me on the TV, lookin’ like a hunk of beef/When I smile your baby mama shit her dungarees.” This may be the only reference to dungarees in any 2015 rap album or ever.
2. A marquee roster of producers like Mark Ronson and Drake affiliate Noah “40” Shebib, as well as previous collaborators Statik Selektah, The Alchemist and Party Supplies.
3. Cheesy ’70s arrangements like Party Supplies’ bombastic, guitar-solo heavy production for “Easy Rider” and samples like Billy Joel’s “Zanzibar” on the opening, Ronson-produced highlight “Brand New Car.” Not many rappers can claim or even want to love Joel as earnestly as Bronson, who previously claimed that the aging “Piano Man” is “the best lyricist ever.”
Though the singles, specifically “Terry,” “Easy Rider” and “Actin’ Crazy” are all clear standouts, some of the songs feel like placeholders. Live track “The Passage” seems out of place, as does the meandering, ’70s crime movie-inspired blues jam “City Boy Blues,” on which Bronson sings. He does that quite a bit on the record, and it’s clear his voice is not as fully formed as his rap flow; just check the spiteful ode to an ex in “Baby Blue,” which has a funny saving grace in guest Chance the Rapper’s line, “I hope you never get off Fridays/And work at a [TGI] Fridays that’s always busy on Fridays.”
Despite some minor blunders, though, Bronson’s abundant enthusiasm on top of his spitfire and potent rhyme schemes make him rap’s foremost lovable goofball. Recommended for fans of disgusting humor, East Coast hip-hop and Billy Joel.
3 stars (out of four)
jterry@redeyechicago.com, @joshhterry
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