Photo: Tom Gould
In person, Action Bronson is precisely what you hoped he would be: full of filthy jokes, funny observations and a knowledge of food that borders on the fetishistic.
One of the biggest names (and personalities) in New York rap, this week finally sees the release of his extraordinary studio album Mr Wonderful. To mark the release, the former chef turned MC talks to Gigwise about pocketing a cockatoo, trying to meet Carlos Santana and why the world doesn't needs another burger restaurant.
Gigwise: Who gets to call you by your government name?
Action Bronson: Everyone thinks they can call me by my government name. I get called all kinds of things. I have 40 names: so Bronsolino! Baklava! Mr Wonderful! You never know what’s someone going to be calling you.
What was the best record in your parent’s collection?
My mother has a serious collection. She has 8,000 records: she gave them to me recently. I just got a new apartment and set up my record player. There’s nothing like that sound. Something I’ve been listening to a lot is BB King In London.
Apparently you're also into Turkish psychedelia in a big way?
It’s very interesting to hear how each culture inteprates the rock'n'roll of the time. It’s out of control. Wherever I go, I go digging for real rare shit. Alchemist is my mentor – I watch him – and he went to Poland and brought back these records.
When was the last time you were starstruck?
Carlos Santana in Africa. I acted like such a little bitch. I wouldn’t go up to him: he’s my father’s idol as a guitar player. I just couldn’t bring myself to go and bother him when he was eating. We were staying in the same hotel and I saw him a couple of times but I couldn’t do it. Bitched out. Big time. So much respect for him – but this was more than just being respectful and staying out of his face.
Can you recommend a good book?
No, I can’t. I’ve not read books in my life honestly. The only book I’ve read in my life was The Good Earth. It’s about the locust infestation in China but also it’s a love story type of deal also. This was in fifth/sixth grade: I had no fucking idea. I’m a visual person, I like watching things. I like other people explain to me rather than reading things myself. I read magazines, newspapers.
What’s the worst thing a critics ever said about you?
“Lacks passion”. Someone did a review on my show in Bristol – which was incredible, I smashed it – and they gave it a two star because they just didn’t get it. They said when I left the stage, they didn’t know where I was and it was annoying. I like criticism: it’s funny to me. "That’s what you think?" You get to know what’s someone’s about by their critique.
What question about your bored of answering?
“What’s your favourite thing to cook?” “You’re compared to Ghostface – what do you think about that?” It’s too much. Get out of here.
What’s the strangest gift you've got from a fan?
The artwork I get is top notch: I’d say I have the best fan art I’ve ever seen from anybody. But I’ve had a lot of really strange things. People give me packs of Proscuitto. People bring me a lot of baked goods. It’s weird because you think “I don’t know what the fuck they did to that, put poison in it or something. I want to eat it but I can’t I just can’t.” I got a voodoo doll in New Orleans. I stuck it with a $100 bill and I’ve been getting money since.
What’s been your worst ever gig?
Probably one of the first ones I ever did in a place called Fat Baby on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. I was a nobody, just starting out, it was one of my first performances. I get on stage, the DJ shit don’t work, the mics don’t work: I do a little tantrum. I threw the mic through the wall. The girl who was hosting the party and the performance was upset and it wasn’t really her fault. I always felt bad about doing that.
Other than that: I’ve done so many shows and I give my all every show. One time in Berlin, it was terrible gig because I had zero voice. I felt bad because Berlin was waiting for me for a long time and it was sold out, a packed house. Everyone was going nuts so I get up on stage and am I couldn’t get any words out. I had to hold my neck and tried to force music out. After a while I said sorry and I bought everyone drinks at the spot for two hours.
What food trend needs to die out this year?
Burger spots, man! Everyone is now a burger aficionado. Cut that shit out: we don’t need any more. All that shit is the same... and they're all making bad burgers. You don’t need to put a million things on a burger for it to be good. A perfect burger is in a frying pan, the frying pan has to be screaming hot, you put the salt that’s it. You let it get a thickness of crispiness, then flip it, it has to be paper thin on a potato bun with a little bit of ketchup on the side for dipping. That’s it: you don’t need anything else. You don’t need to be guacamole or anything on it.
What skill should every man have?
You should be able to fucking build something. To be able to build some sort of housing, if needed. A shed or some shit. Basic survival skills. You gotta know how to fight, how to protect your family.
How about changing a tyre?
Changing a tyre is easy: if you don’t know how to change a tyre you’re not a real person. I’ve been a real person my whole life. I still clean under my toilet. That’s probably the most degrading job for me.
How do you dance?
Like a Latin lover. That’s all I can say.
What's your karaoke song?
Anything Billy Joel. Anything Eighties honestly. I’m an Eighties baby.
When you rapped over 'In The Air Tonight' during your London show people lost their minds.
A lot of people don’t get it. But if you get it, you’re going to enjoy it. That was one of the most important songs in hip-hop history. Who has ever done that? No one’s taken Eighties hits and straight up rhymed on them. Jackin for Beats, Eighties style.
Do you have a tattoo you regret?
Why do I have fucking dead gothic bitch on my arm? [points at tattoo] Why? It’s kinda cool but I just don’t like the blue hair. The eyes are good. She was doing a little bit of drugs. It’s very New Orleans.
Has an album cover ever inspired you?
I bought a Cadillac because of Pimp C. 100 per cent. Bought a 97 Cadillac: I just needed one. I’m actually looking at an 85 Mortitz now, which has the one with the slick black like an old Rolls Royce. It’s a very odd car but it’s definitely me. Drives like a Volvo: smooth, just slow, like you’re the captain of the ship.
You told Grantland you once stole two TVs. But what’s the strangest thing you’ve stolen?
So many things. I stole a bird once. This is a good one: I stole a bottle of Pepsi from 94 Woodstock. We went to someone’s house for a party and they just happened. Just sitting there: I didn’t know it was worth anything. The person was devastated.
Tell me more about the bird.
The bird got put down the leg. We went to Petland and just threw the bird down there. Just stayed there because when it goes into the dark it goes quiet. It was a cockatoo – a baby one.
What should no man have in his wardrobe?
I’m not one to judge anybody but I feel like those jeans that a lot of dudes out here [in London] are extremely tight around the calf and thigh. Too tapered. Dudes that are portly – dude I’m not one to judge – but I can see your trolley card. I can see your swiper for the underground.
I can see your cockatoo...
Exactly, man, for sure! When I was younger I used to wear the pants down here and that came back. But our pants were loose, these pants are tight! The other thing that bothers me is when we wore our pants low in the back, the front was still covering my dick. Nowaways the pants are down here: the boxer and the dick is out. It’s disgusting. That is sickening – but maybe I’m getting old. I just don’t want to see anyone’s nads.
Stream Action Bronson's Mr Wonderful below.
Mr Wonderful by Action Bronson is out now (Atlantic). Action Bronson plays Lovebox Festival on 18 July and Bestival in September. For tickets see below.
