Who said Chef’s couldn’t drop their kitchen tools for microphones and start dropping bars on stage!? Well whoever did, I bring you Action Bronson’s first major album (Vice/Atlantic records) “Mr. Wonderful”. With a mixture of soul, jazz and 90’s East Coast rap influences, Action brings originality and charisma to a “dead era” in the industry. I wasn’t extremely familiar with Action Bronson before he dropped this album, I only really listened to him when he would be featured on other songs, and I definitely questioned if he could carry his own weight (no pun intended). I will admit this album went a lot better than I expected.
I am impressed with how many catchy lines the Queens native delivered. Such lyrics as;“Kiss my mother on the cheek tells her that I love her /you ain’t got to worry about a thing ma I got it covered.” (“Actin Crazy”). The bars that he spits have gained him a tight following and have earned Action Bronson a lot of comparisons to fellow rapper, and one of Action’s idols, Ghostface Killah.
The self described “Mr. Wonderful himself” did a fantastic job of features behind the scenes as well. Minus the four singles that he dropped with music videos, (that are absolutely beautiful) Bronson attracted major producers like Statik Selektah, Mark Ronson, The Alchemist, Noah “40” Shebib, and Party Supplies. Action Bronson also got lyrical features from; Big Body Bes, Mayhem Lauren, Chauncy Sherod, Black Atlass, and last but certainly not least good friend, and my favorite, Chance The Rapper.
The only negatives I do have for this album are that it seems to have it’s fillers. The songs that are promoted pre-album (singles) are what the album is focused on. I really think he neglects 4 or 5 songs on the album, and pretty much, could have gotten away with an EP of bangers.
If you go in expecting a hardcore rap album, think again, this lofty man has as much soul in his songs as the soul food in his belly. Action drops some very good songs, and definitely delivers for his first major label album, and if his career up to this point is any indication to how it will continue, Action is a force (literally and figuratively) to be reckoned with.
RJ’s rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars.