Ariyan Arslani (born December 2, 1983), professionally known as Action Bronson, is an American rapper, record producer, chef, songwriter and television presenter.[4] Born and raised in Queens, he released his debut mixtapeBon Appetit ..... Bitch!!!!! in January 2011 and independently released his debut album, Dr. Lecter, in March 2011. In August 2012, Arslani signed his first major-label deal with Warner Bros. Records, but was later moved to the Atlantic Records-distributed label Vice Records.
Arslani went on to create two self-released mixtapes, Rare Chandeliers (2012) with American record producer The Alchemist, and Blue Chips 2 (2013) with longtime collaborators Party Supplies, before releasing his major-label debut, an extended play (EP) titled Saaab Stories, with frequent collaborator Harry Fraud, in 2013. He released his major-label debut album, Mr. Wonderful, in March 2015, debuting at number seven on the US Billboard 200 chart.
Ariyan Arslani[5] was born in Flushing, Queens, New York City, on December 2, 1983,[6][7] to an Albanian Muslim father and an American Jewish mother.[8] Growing up he had been raised in his father's Muslim tradition.[9] He attended Bayside High School, in Bayside, Queens, and graduated in 2002. Before embarking on a career as a rapper, which was originally just a hobby, Bronson worked as a cook at his father's Mediterranean restaurant in Forest Hills. He hosted his own online cooking show, Action in the Kitchen. After breaking his leg in the kitchen, Bronson concentrated solely on rapping.[10]
2011: Dr. Lecter and Well Done
Action Bronson's debut studio album Dr. Lecter was independently released by Fine Fabric Delegates on March 15, 2011. The album, produced entirely by New York City-based music producer Tommy Mas. In November of that year, Bronson followed up with Well-Done, a collaborative effort with American hip hop producer Statik Selektah.[11] On March 12, 2012, he released his second mixtape, titled Blue Chips, with Party Supplies.[12]
2012–2013: Major-label deal and Saaab Stories
Action Bronson performing in July 2013
In August 2012, it was announced Paul Rosenberg signed Action Bronson to a management deal with Goliath Artists.[13] In the same month, Bronson was featured on Odd Future-rapper Domo Genesis and American hip hop producer The Alchemist's collaborative album No Idols, on tracks "Elimination Chamber" (featuring Earl Sweatshirt and Vince Staples) and "Daily News" (featuring SpaceGhostPurrp and Earl Sweatshirt). Later that year Action Bronson joined both Warner Bros. Records, via media company VICE, and concert booking agency NUE.[14] On November 15, 2012, Bronson released Rare Chandeliers, a collaborative mixtape with the Alchemist.
In March 2013, Bronson performed at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival[15] and later that month was featured on XXL Magazine's 2013 Freshman Class, a list of up-and-coming rappers.[16] In May 2013, Action Bronson was moved to Atlantic Records, and subsequently released an extended play (EP) titled Saaab Stories, on June 11, 2013.[17] The EP was produced entirely by American music producer Harry Fraud and features guest appearances from fellow American rappers Raekwon, Wiz Khalifa, and Prodigy.[18] The EP was preceded by the single, "Strictly 4 My Jeeps".[19] In July 2013, he indicated wanting to get fellow Queens-bred rappers, Nas and Kool G Rap, on his major-label debut album, but unfortunately couldn't get them on.[20] Also in July, Bronson announced his major-label debut album would be released in early 2014.[21]
On November 1, 2013, Bronson released Blue Chips 2, the second installment in his Blue Chips series, in promotion of the album.[22][23][24][25] On October 28, 2013, Funkmaster Flex announced he would be hosting an upcoming Action Bronson mixtape. Production was revealed to be coming from Erick Sermon, Mike Will Made It, DJ Mustard and Jahlil Beats.[22] In a November 2013 interview with Rolling Stone, Bronson stated that he would have Kool G Rap and Mobb Deep, featured on his upcoming album.[26]
2014–present: Mr. Wonderful and various studio albums
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In February 2014, Action Bronson, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar and 360 accompanied rapper Eminem, on a brief tour of Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.[27] On May 6, 2014, Action Bronson debuted a food-oriented monthly web series, titled Fuck, That's Delicious in coordination with Vice Records.[28][29]
On August 5, 2014, Bronson released the song "Easy Rider" as the first single from his second studio album Mr. Wonderful. The song was produced by Bronson's longtime producer Party Supplies. On August 20, 2014, the music video for "Easy Rider", was released. The video for "Easy Rider", which was directed by Tom Gould, pays homage to the 1969 Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper film of the same name.[30] Bronson released "Actin Crazy" on January 20. He released the full album on March 23, 2015, receiving over 48,000 streams during its debut week.[31]
In October 2015, Bronson was hospitalized in Anchorage, Alaska, for emergency surgery after a concert on October 23. He remained in the hospital for several days.[32]
On August 25, 2017, he released his third studio album, Blue Chips 7000, which serves as a sequel to his 2013 Blue Chips 2 mixtape. In September 2017, Arslani published a cookbook based on his travel show, also titled Fuck, That's Delicious.
On October 31, 2018, Bronson announced that he was parting ways with Vice, the media company that served as his record label and television network.[34]
In November 2018, Bronson announced a tour in support of his latest album, White Bronco. The tour ran from February 2019 to March 2019. Meyhem Lauren and Roc Marciano will be supporting.[35]
On August 9, 2020, Bronson revealed the title of his fifth album, Only for Dolphins, released on September 25, 2020. The cover art was painted by Bronson himself. Bronson described the album as "ANOTHER BRIGHT THREAD WOVEN INTO THE TEXTURE OF THE COSMOS".[36]
Bronson released his sixth solo studio album, Cocodrillo Turbo, on April 29, 2022.[37]
In March 2016, the Program Board of the George Washington University announced that Bronson would be the headlining performer for the university's yearly spring concert, "Spring Fling". Controversy soon erupted as Bronson's song "Consensual Rape" came to light, as well as statements Bronson made that were considered homophobic, transphobic, and misogynistic.[42] Student activist groups successfully pushed for the university to cancel the performance.[43] In April 2016, Bronson was similarly disinvited from the Trinity College Spring Weekend concert.[44]
Bronson responded in an open letter, claiming that his songs "depict a story" and "aren't meant to be anything but an artistic expression," condemned all forms of sexual violence, and offered an apology.[45]
Early in his career, Bronson gained recognition for lyrically and stylistically resembling fellow New York rapper Ghostface Killah of Wu-Tang Clan (with whom he collaborated, along with friend and fellow rapper Termanology, on a song called "Meteor Hammer", from the 2011 compilation album Legendary Weapons). Ghostface Killah himself has admitted to confusing Bronson's rapping for his own.[56] In a 2011 interview with HipHopDX, Bronson was asked about how it was to be compared to the Wu-Tang rapper, and he responded with,
Yeah, I mean at the end of the day, it's all good because Ghostface Killah is one of the best rappers alive, so if I sound similar to the best rapper alive then that is fine. To me there is no comparison; he is a legend and I am a newcomer. If I would try and emulate with anyone it would be Kool G Rap, he is the person I look up to the most. I am not upset but at the end of the day I am my own person and no one can take that away from me.[57]
Personal life
Bronson has two children with a former girlfriend.[58] Bronson's current girlfriend gave birth to a son in November 2019.[59][60]
In mid-2020, prompted by having reached a body weight of 400 pounds (180 kg), and having a myriad of associated health problems, as well as by the birth of his son, Bronson began a regimen of healthier eating as well as boxing and high-intensity interval training. As of December 2020 he had lost 127 pounds (58 kg).[59] He took up Brazilian jiu-jitsu in 2021,[61] training under Ryron Gracie.[62]
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