You could say that Action Bronson has a finger in every pie. Bronson (born Ariyan Arslani) is the ubiquitous fiery-bearded gourmet chef, writer and TV presenter at large turned rap sensation from Flushing, Queens. Known for his boisterous, likable persona and tongue-in-cheek humor spitting rhymes about haute cuisine, seedy scenarios and the occasional jabs at himself, he is equally known for his crass straight-talking and controversial comments landing himself in hot water more than once.
Action Bronson (real name Ariyan Arslani) also known as Bam Bam, Bronsoliño, Mr. Baklava
December 2, 1983 in Queens, New York, USA
Queens, New York, USA
2008 – present
approximately $4 million
To date he counts five studio albums, two EPs and several mixtapes and singles under his belt, having performed at Coachella and alongside Eminem and Kendrick Lamar. The popular VICE food travel show, Fuck, That’s Delicious, and culinary late-night talk show The Untitled Action Bronson Show, along with comedy show Traveling The Stars: Action Bronson and Friends Watch Ancient Aliens, has also penned two cookbooks: F*ck, That’s Delicious: An Annotated Guide to Eating Well and Stoned Beyond Belief, attracting a cult following in the process.
He has also landed a role in Martin Scorsese’s Netflix movie The Irishman, alongside titans Robert de Niro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci, due to be released in 2019.
After breaking his leg in the kitchen in 2011, Bronson turned to rapping releasing his debut mixtape, followed by two albums, Dr. Lecter and Well-Done the same year. This prompted a signing with Warner Bros. Records in 2012 and a management deal with Goliath Artists.
Following collaborative mixtapes with The Alchemist (Rare Chandeliers) and Party Supplies (Blue Chips 1 and 2), in 2013 Bronson was moved to Atlantic Records and released his first major-label debut with the Saaab Stories EP, with guest appearances from the Prodigy and fellow American rappers Wiz Khalifa and Raekwon.
He released his major label debut album, the well-received Mr. Wonderful, in 2015 debuting at number seven on the US Billboard 200. In 2017 he followed up the Blue Chips mixtape series with an album, Blue Chips 7000, before putting out the White Bronco Album in 2018 featuring the likes of A$AP Rocky, Yung Mehico, Meyhem Lauren, and Big Body Bes.
Dr. Lecter
Released: March 15, 2011
Label: Fine Fabric Delegates
Well-Done
(with Statik Selektah)
Released: November 22, 2011
Label: Switchblade, DCide
Mr. Wonderful
Released: March 23, 2015
Label: Atlantic, Vice
Blue Chips 7000
Released: August 25, 2017
Label: Atlantic, Vice
White Bronco
Released: November 2, 2018
Label: Empire