10 Things You Should Know About Action Bronson

Get familiar with everyone's favorite chef-turned-MC.

Action Bronson - During an Action Bronson show in North Carolina, an overzealous fan hopped up on the stage, apparently trying to share what he was smoking. The 300-plus pound Queens-bred emcee sent him reeling back into the crowd with a strong left and continued to rap with the mic in his right hand.(Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

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10 Things You Should Know About Action Bronson - Action Bronson is hard to miss. He’s white, 300-pounds-plus, has a massive red beard, raps with a high Queens whine and collaborates with Styles P, Schoolboy Q and Sean Price. And he’s one of the most promising, and distinctive, rappers to emerge from New York in a while. It’s going to be even harder to sleep on Action with the release of Rare Chandeliers, his new album produced entirely by Alchemist, which drops today (Nov. 15). It’s the perfect time to act like you’ve been up on Action all along. And we’re here to help. Click on to see 10 things you should know about Action Bronson. —Alex Gale (Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

Action Bronson - After a string of releases that topped year-end lists in 2011 and 2012, Queens rapper Action Bronson graduated to the majors and signed a deal with Warner Bros. through hipster media giant VICE. If his first project since then, the grimy, head-nodding Rare Chandeliers mixtape produced by the Alchemist, is any indication, the Internet’s favorite foodie MC is on track for a five-star major-label debut in 2013.(Photo: Roger Kisby/Getty Images)

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He's Repping Queens — and Albania - Action Bronson was born Arian Asllani on December 2, 1984, in Flushing, Queens, home to legendary rappers like Nas, Run DMC, LL Cool J and 50 Cent. But his parents immigrated from war-torn, poverty-ridden Albania. (Photo: Roger Kisby/Getty Images)

Action Bronson - OK, this is where the meal starts to get a little out of hand, which we probably should've expected. Foodie-rap guru Action Bronson, who was a chef before he was a rapper, is showing off a little bit with his entrée. “Got the lamb rack roasted, laced it with fennel, little yogurt that been drizzled over, might be a winner,” Bronson raps on this year's "Double Breasted." Sounds divine. (Photo: Action Bronson/Myspace)

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He’s Rap’s Anthony Bourdain - Before he became everyone’s favorite obese Albanian MC, Action Bronson was a working chef. After an injury forced him out of the kitchen for a bit, he took up rhyming to pass the time. But his old job still informs his work — see song titles like “Jerk Chicken,” “Dabble in Truffles” and “Roasted Bone Marrow.”   (Photo: Action Bronson/Myspace)

He’s Signed to Vice/Warner Bros. - In August, Action inked a deal with Vice/Warner, the same venture behind Snoop Dogg’s reincarnation as Snoop Lion. That project proved the company isn’t afraid to do something different — which should serve Action, and his grimy, unorthodox style, quite well. “I promise to never make candy cane bulls--t music as long as I live!” he tweeted after the deal was announced. (Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

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He’s Signed to Vice/Warner Bros. - In August, Action inked a deal with Vice/Warner, the same venture behind Snoop Dogg’s reincarnation as Snoop Lion. That project proved the company isn’t afraid to do something different — which should serve Action, and his grimy, unorthodox style, quite well. “I promise to never make candy cane bulls--t music as long as I live!” he tweeted after the deal was announced. (Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

He’s Ridiculously Prolific - Before he became everyone’s favorite obese Albanian MC, Action is undoubtedly one of the busiest, most productive rapper of the past two years. Since 2011, he’s dropped four mixtapes, 19 videos and three albums, along with seemingly countless guest verses. (photo: John Ricard / BET)

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He’s Ridiculously Prolific - Before he became everyone’s favorite obese Albanian MC, Action is undoubtedly one of the busiest, most productive rapper of the past two years. Since 2011, he’s dropped four mixtapes, 19 videos and three albums, along with seemingly countless guest verses. (photo: John Ricard / BET)

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Action Bronson and Ghostface Killah - The voices of Wu-Tang have permeated hip hop culture for two decades now, they're unmistakable. Still, the similarities between Action Bronson and Ghostface are simply uncanny. Bronson is good with that, though. While he insists that he "sounds like nobody," he doesn't mind the comparisons because Ghost is "one of the best rappers."(Photos from left: John Ricard / BET, Andrew Marks/PictureGroup)

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Yes, He Sounds Like Ghostface - His high-pitched voice, food references and insidery non-sequiturs definitely recall Ghostface on first listen, but Bronson stands out as his own artist the deeper you get into his music. "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,” he said in an interview with HipHopDX. “To me there is no comparison; he is a legend and I am a newcomer. But at the end of the day I am my own person and no one can take that away from me." (Photos from left: John Ricard / BET, Andrew Marks/PictureGroup)

He’s a Throwback (In the Best Way Possible) - With his Ghostface similarities and obsession with sample-heavy breakbeat production — particularly on his 2011 studio debut, Dr. Lecter — Action is definitely at the forefront of rap’s growing obsession with all things golden-era. But he still manages to keep his music sounding fresher than fine ceviche (one of his favorite dishes).  (Photo: Vice Music)

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He’s a Throwback (In the Best Way Possible) - With his Ghostface similarities and obsession with sample-heavy breakbeat production — particularly on his 2011 studio debut, Dr. Lecter — Action is definitely at the forefront of rap’s growing obsession with all things golden-era. But he still manages to keep his music sounding fresher than fine ceviche (one of his favorite dishes).  (Photo: Vice Music)

He’s Most Likely High Right Now - With all respect to Wiz Khalifa, Snoop Dogg and Cypress Hill, Action may just be the most blitzed rapper ever. Every single song has a weed reference, his eyes are physically unable to open all the way, and he even has his own limited-edition customized portable vaporizer. Smoke on that. (Photo: Action Bronson/Twitter)

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He’s Most Likely High Right Now - With all respect to Wiz Khalifa, Snoop Dogg and Cypress Hill, Action may just be the most blitzed rapper ever. Every single song has a weed reference, his eyes are physically unable to open all the way, and he even has his own limited-edition customized portable vaporizer. Smoke on that. (Photo: Action Bronson/Twitter)

“The Symbol” Just Might Be the Funniest Video of 2012 - Bleach blonde wigs, pimp brawls, Santa assassins, ammonia poisonings — Bronsalino’s amazing new “white-sploitation” clip has everything you never knew you wanted in a video and more. (Photo: Vice Muisc)

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“The Symbol” Just Might Be the Funniest Video of 2012 - Bleach blonde wigs, pimp brawls, Santa assassins, ammonia poisonings — Bronsalino’s amazing new “white-sploitation” clip has everything you never knew you wanted in a video and more. (Photo: Vice Muisc)

He’s a Serial Monogamist (When It Comes to Producers, At Least) - Action Bronson doesn’t just throw together beats from different producers, most of his albums and mixtapes feature just one beatmaker, and he knows how to pick them. His debut full-length, Dr. Lecter, was produced entirely by newcomer Tommy Mas; last year’s Well-Done was produced by underground vet Statik Selektah; Rare Chandeliers, which drops today, features Alchemist behind the boards; and his upcoming Saab Stories, slated for 2013, is a collaboration between him and fast-rising beatmaker Harry Fraud. (Photo: Action Bronson/Facebook)

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He’s a Serial Monogamist (When It Comes to Producers, At Least) - Action Bronson doesn’t just throw together beats from different producers, most of his albums and mixtapes feature just one beatmaker, and he knows how to pick them. His debut full-length, Dr. Lecter, was produced entirely by newcomer Tommy Mas; last year’s Well-Done was produced by underground vet Statik Selektah; Rare Chandeliers, which drops today, features Alchemist behind the boards; and his upcoming Saab Stories, slated for 2013, is a collaboration between him and fast-rising beatmaker Harry Fraud. (Photo: Action Bronson/Facebook)

He's Friggin' Hilarious - In case the video for "The Symbol" didn't convince you, take a good look at the cover for his new album with Alchemist, Rare Chandeliers, which drops today. Yes, that's an alligator with a machine gun strapped to its head. Yes, that's a naked, pink-wigged woman with a sword instead of a hand. And yes, that's Action wearing a wolf-skin hat. It's a great look into the witty and weird world of Action Bronson. Come in, make yourself comfortable — just watch out for that alligator. (Photo: Vice Music)

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He's Friggin' Hilarious - In case the video for "The Symbol" didn't convince you, take a good look at the cover for his new album with Alchemist, Rare Chandeliers, which drops today. Yes, that's an alligator with a machine gun strapped to its head. Yes, that's a naked, pink-wigged woman with a sword instead of a hand. And yes, that's Action wearing a wolf-skin hat. It's a great look into the witty and weird world of Action Bronson. Come in, make yourself comfortable — just watch out for that alligator. (Photo: Vice Music)