It’s that time of the year when everyone looks back at the best albums from the last twelve months. It has been a stellar year for hip-hop, but we prefer to look forward, and predict that 2015 will be the year of Action Bronson. Here’s why.
Firstly, obviously, there’s the music. Bronsolino is one of the most talented rappers to break onto the scene in the last few years, finally managing to distance himself from those early Ghostface Killah comparisons to emerge as a unique and brilliant artist in his own right.
If all goes to plan, early 2015 will finally see the release of the long-awaited Mr Wonderful album. Details are still short (save for a recent tracklist announcement from the man himself), but if the epic, cinematic single Easy Rider is a sign of things to come, this could well be an instant classic.
Some would argue that Bronson’s music is too much gimmick; full of dumbass tales and stupid shit. In reality, his songs are the work of a master storyteller, weaving intricate narratives in a way matched only by the likes of MF Doom, Slick Rick and Ghostface himself. It takes a sharp delivery and advanced writing skills to do this type of hip-hop well, and Bronson has cracked the formula.
The music isn’t all craziness and shock tactics either. Bronson’s lyrics can often take us down darker and more serious streets, like on Alligator, from the incredible Saaab Stories. What starts out as casual snippet of the life and times of Bronson and his girls, then moves on to something more sinister, covering everything from abortion, cancer and death, to how baby turtles make their entrance into this troubled world.
Music aside, its Bronson’s personality that stands out as the other reason why he’s likely to be huge next year (no pun intended). Like his music, on first inspection the way the man looks is misleading. A big dude, covered in tats with a wild beard isn’t exactly a classic hip-hop look (Rick Rubin being the exception).
When he opens his mouth though, it’s clear this is a complex thinker with many layers of intelligence. He’s also savvy, knowing how to pick projects in way that will ensure they go viral, like his appearances in the hilarious Fuck, That’s Delicious culinary tour videos for Vice, and those crazy live shows where he’ll jump on top of a truck or leave the venue to go get food, all while still performing.
Action Bronson the character then is almost now more important than Action Bronson the musician. But with both feeding off each other, in perfect sync, what we have is an artist destined to step out from only being known by those in the know, and breakthrough on a whole new level very soon.
This time next year we guarantee you’ll be reading about Mr Wonderful in the top albums of the year lists. We can’t wait to sit back and watch what happens in the meantime.
February 10, 2006. For many hip-hop heads, it was the day the music died, for it was the date that the great J Dilla passed away. His legacy lives on in all of us though, and for several years since his death, his mother, the much-loved Ma Dukes, has organized the annual Dilla Day event.
