7. "Not disputing all that you said..." In response to Reply # 6
But he's actually made dope music for a while. Rare Chandeliers and Blue Chips were well dope - dope beats, dope raps/ideas. Gimmicky and privileged for sure, but I think the buzz he got was well deserved with the music he put out. Just a matter of his style getting old kinda fast
i'm at the point now where i cringe whenever i hear "it's me". he really ruins the whole vibe of a song for me. IMMEDIATELY. and he doesn't say ANYTHING that makes me care about what he's saying. substance is light, wordplay is aiight, punchlines are love taps. smh.
70. "Time really does fly as you get older" In response to Reply # 9
It is pretty wild that original post is two years old. Truly doesn't seem that long ago that post was made. And the opinions I had on Action Bronson are still the same.
13. "I hear you, but I'm not sure you really feel that way" In response to Reply # 12
I like Bronson better than Cole as a rapper, but which one could I stand for 1000 songs?
Hmm. Dare I say it, but hearing Cole speak to 15 y/o O_E might actually be more appealing after song 50 than hearing Bronson's garbage pail kid referencing rap
So,
In Cole you get freshman dorm rap
In Bronson, you get hyperstylized witty as shit, head knocking rap, but the problem is that its too much like Ghostface and has no other lane or speed
That's the problem with biting
It just runs out of gas
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O_E: "Acts like an asshole and posts with imperial disdain"
14. "No I'm dead ass serious. Nothing against Cole." In response to Reply # 13
But he boring. Sure profound to 15 yr olds, but boring.
And I dont get Ghostface when listening to Action. It's only voice. They don't rap alike. Action gonna say some funny nonsense, nothing more nothing less. Ghost is another level with street shit and soul.
Thats like saying King Tee and Biggie are the same or Geechi Suede and Butterfly or fucking Magoo and Q-Tip.
Most songs with Action sound like a freestyle. I don't know where it's going and he probably doesn't either. Just like Redman, Sean P, or later Special Ed.
21. "LOL -- okay. They aren't *exactly* the same. " In response to Reply # 20
>The video treatment is thr video treatment. Niggaz like >cartoons and comics. Lol > >I would never hear a Ghost verse and think its Action or vice >versa.
LOL
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O_E: "Acts like an asshole and posts with imperial disdain"
I agree that he isn't a straight-up Ghostface replica with regard to the content and flow. And his voice is what it is. But I won't go as far as saying that there isn't any of Ghost's DNA in Action's presentation. Some, like yourself, can overlook it and enjoy the music for what it is. Some can't. I personally can tolerate it for the most part. Him rhyming over Alchemist beats definitely helps though.
23. "I agree with everything you said. " In response to Reply # 22
>The vocal delivery and randomness of Ghost's rhymes in that >verse aren't that far off from Action's approach. >https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pC4StwN2b1o > >I agree that he isn't a straight-up Ghostface replica with >regard to the content and flow. And his voice is what it is. >But I won't go as far as saying that there isn't any of >Ghost's DNA in Action's presentation. Some, like yourself, can >overlook it and enjoy the music for what it is. Some can't. I >personally can tolerate it for the most part. Him rhyming over >Alchemist beats definitely helps though.
It doesn't really bother me.
But to deny the influences is outright silly
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O_E: "Acts like an asshole and posts with imperial disdain"
64. "You don't hear even a slight resemblance in their deliveries?" In response to Reply # 47
And it'd be one thing if the voice similarities stopped at their tones. But Action's vocal inflections can be very Ghost-like at times as well. I wasn't even one of those folks who immediately wrote dude off as blatantly biting. I thought many were being a bit hyper-critical for various reasons. But when I'd find myself listening to songs like Kunta Fly Shit or The Hilton (or Holocaust, mentioned above) the likeness was pretty glaring, to me.
45. "i told you it was lazy critique then, and i'll tell you now" In response to Reply # 17 Thu Feb-05-15 02:32 PM by astralblak
Bronson sounds more like Pun and G Rap to me than Ghost.
the Ghost thing like RBO said is the voice. that's it.
BUT you are right his schtick has run thin.
"lovable" white dude from queens with the big beard rapping about old whips, obscure hood nerd references, beating people up, and smashing broads like he's a gymnast was fucn dope from the Blue Chips to SAAAB stories run, after he stopped trying to be so lyrical miracle on Dr. Lector and Well Done, and focused on personality.
but no, it's getting ehh. and like i said I'm still gunna cop when it drops, cause dude has given away hella good music for 2-3 years for free
18. "re: J. Cole, I only started feeling him on this last album" In response to Reply # 14
Before that, I was very much with you; I thought his music was pretty dull. But that "Forest Hills" album is pretty damn good. And even though I'm clearly not that target demographic for his stuff, I'd rather 16-year-olds be listening to that album over Young Thug. Hell, I'd rather the "I'm going to young and swaggy forever!" thirtysomething crowd listen to J. Cole over Young Thug.
24. "Didn't like the latest Cole. Will give it another try. " In response to Reply # 18
>Before that, I was very much with you; I thought his music >was pretty dull. But that "Forest Hills" album is pretty damn >good. And even though I'm clearly not that target demographic >for his stuff, I'd rather 16-year-olds be listening to that >album over Young Thug. Hell, I'd rather the "I'm going to >young and swaggy forever!" thirtysomething crowd listen to J. >Cole over Young Thug.
Yeah, I mean, of course I'd rather 16 y/o like this than other stuff
But its not for me, so its hard for me to get into
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O_E: "Acts like an asshole and posts with imperial disdain"
42. "It helped that I went into it with no expectations" In response to Reply # 24
Or, if anything, expecting it not to be particularly good.
>Yeah, I mean, of course I'd rather 16 y/o like this than >other stuff > >But its not for me, so its hard for me to get into
I certainly understand that. But I prefer his "young man perspective" raps to a lot of the other stuff out there that's clearly not made with people my age in mind.
63. "LOL. That's kind of a perfect summary." In response to Reply # 60
>have took over and commercized jazz. > >I'm like nigga, you went to college and you're a professional >music artist. > >I prefer my young dude figuring it out albums to be done by >young dudes. Illmatic, Resurrection, Murs 3:16, Below the >Heavensial
I mean, Nas was figuring shit out on 'Life is Good' but that was age appropriate...ex-wife, alimony type shit
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O_E: "Acts like an asshole and posts with imperial disdain"
69. "I guess it's matter what you want late 20s/early 30s..." In response to Reply # 49
...rappers pretending to be. They can pretend to be thugs, or they can pretend to just be discovering cultural appropriation for the first time. And, for the type of rapper that he is, he sounds better than most of his ilk while doing it.
>I'd rather Joey Badass be 19 years old and speak to >my 15 y/o self, which he does, and does well
Can't disagree here. Joey is a better at what he does. And his album is better the "Forest Hills." But "Forest Hills" is still better than I expected.
75. "I'd simply prefer they act their age" In response to Reply # 69
>...rappers pretending to be. They can pretend to be thugs, or >they can pretend to just be discovering cultural appropriation >for the first time. And, for the type of rapper that he is, he >sounds better than most of his ilk while doing it.
I don't expect albums from Drake drunk texting another redbone as he approaches 30, complaining about fame
He can be ignorant in other ways, but you do have to act your age
Not asking too much
I was growing my hair in a "I'm outside the box" way at 21 years old at the latest, that's the age J.Cole is rhyming for
Its just grating to hear a nigga 30 y/o like that, that's all
Not saying he can't be discovering himself and all that
Of course he can
>>I'd rather Joey Badass be 19 years old and speak to >>my 15 y/o self, which he does, and does well > >Can't disagree here. Joey is a better at what he does. And his >album is better the "Forest Hills." But "Forest Hills" is >still better than I expected.
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O_E: "Acts like an asshole and posts with imperial disdain"
30. "for the record, ive been consistent since day 1. wack boring biter." In response to Reply # 8
>Now i feel myself defending dude, which is weird > >I was the first person on here who talked about the >Ghostface biting shit...YEARS ago and got ridiculed for it > >But I never thought dude was wack > >I like this song btw > >But yeah, I mean, his career is at a turning point > >People not really falling for the banana in the tailpipe >anymore > >Dare I say it, we might be trending in a substance direction >in hip-hop > >I mean, even J.Cole sold a ton, mostly because 16 y/o felt >like >they were hearing something profound > >
------------------- I wanna go to where the martyrs went the brown figures on the walls of my apart-a-ment...
19. "I'll stand in this line." In response to Reply # 10
I dunno man, his shit still sounds dope to me. I guess I can understand if people aren't feeling him, but I've liked all his albums/mixtapes. And I'll be buying "Mr. Wonderful" when it drops.
dula dibiasi Member since Apr 05th 2004 21925 posts
Thu Feb-05-15 02:45 PM
55. "yeah that's where i'm at" In response to Reply # 19 Thu Feb-05-15 02:50 PM by dula dibiasi
i still fuck w dude, but i get why ppl are jumping ship.
___
it is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. - sherlock holmes
>I dunno man, his shit still sounds dope to me. I guess I can >understand if people aren't feeling him, but I've liked all >his albums/mixtapes. And I'll be buying "Mr. Wonderful" when >it drops.
__ I don't like the beat anymore because its just a loop. ALC didn't FLIP IT ENOUGH!
Flip it enough? Flip these. Flip off. Go flip some f*cking burgers.(c)Kno
Allied State of the National Electric Beat Treaty Organization (NEBTO)
27. "His star has definitely faded since Blue Chips" In response to Reply # 0
which was also one of the best rap releases of the decade as far as being enjoyable. I can play the whole thing without skipping a track. And I agree that the Ghost comparisons are a reach, Bronson is a comedian before he is an MC. Bronson is all about mixing food references with random action movie/wrestling/sport-fixing references (he tried the street shit on Rare Chandeliers and it failed miserably IMO), Ghost is much more well-rounded and storytelling/non-sequitir based (and the juxtaposition of those two speaks to how unique of an MC he is). If Bronson didn't sound like Ghost nobody would be saying he was biting him.
I've liked the songs from the album so far though, it should be good enough and it's cool that all of his different producers are coming together to contribute. Won't be a classic or anything but it should be fun
Put it back on after a year + and I laughed out loud at least ten separate times. Arts and leisure...peace to Jon Caramanica
I will say that his flow sounds A LOT like Ghostface on this one so I can see that comparison when I didn't before. It's also his best release and that's probably not a coincidence.
I think his persona separates him enough that it doesn't bother me but I can definitely see why some people are hung up on it.
The sequel was dope but didn't have the replay value of the first, IMO. And Party Supplies production suits him perfectly, I'm surprised that other rappers haven't hit him up for production. I know he's trying to do his solo thing so maybe he's not doing too much producing for others anymore
pulled RC out yesterday. shit is still crazy nice.
___
it is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. - sherlock holmes
71. "Don't know why he's not getting the same props. He hasn't fallen off" In response to Reply # 0 Fri Feb-06-15 11:17 AM by BigReg
Biting aside: Dude improved greatly from when he first came out to what he was dropping circa the first Blue Chips tape (hookers on the point being my favorite lyrical highlight and the least ghostface he’s sounded flow wise). His recent projects may have been sillier along with the punchlines but he's still rapping at a high level.
I just think it’s a case of whatever the modern day backpackers have morphed into abandoning an artist now he’s seen as too “mainstream.” I feel like something similar happened to Danny Brown when Old dropped; hes' really doing nothing different then what he was doing a couple of years ago so don't know why it feels people are turning on him
72. "idk if i'd call it turning" In response to Reply # 71
people tend to jump on what's hot in the circle at the time whether they like it or not. After the fervor, you're left with the people that the product was meant for.
Sometimes it turns out the numbers are the same, but the vocal minority gets really vocal for some reason.
74. "Live by the sword, die by the sword. " In response to Reply # 71
Especially with gentrifier fans
Its not a part of their culture so they are more prone to jump ship
Bronson is and will do fine, but got popular by that same hype machine, he gotta eat that, so he can't expect loyal fans like that
Same thing happened to Odd Future
Danny Brown's problem was a bad management team who thought he should play up the crazy negro drughead angle...didn't work on Old....XXX was as sincere, powerful piece of music, Old was pandering
I think Bronson is gonna be fine, personally
But if you don't think Bronson is biting, then you're more prone to jump ship because you don't have a connection to the artform and probably download/pirate his shit to begin with
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O_E: "Acts like an asshole and posts with imperial disdain"
77. "i kind of agree, but Old sucked" In response to Reply # 71 Fri Feb-06-15 03:05 PM by astralblak
well it didn't, really, but it just didn't have the urgency, originality, and specific introspection that Hybrid, Its A Art and XXX did. shit XX was masterpiece theater.
Old came off tame and formulaic. the punchlines didn't hit as hard or connect as clearly, the humor was gone, and it felt like he was going through the motions a bit. there are def some songs I love on OLD, but it's overall his weakest project.
he also over relies on the high pitch yelling style now
a lil more: both also seem like examples of why in the end the internet model is not efficient. Artist burn through some of their best material for 2-3 years building their name / brand and honing their craft, but by the time majors and mainstream folk tune their ears in, the artist is burnt out.
the only ones who have really delivered once the bigs came knocking are Kendrick, Q, and Flocka.
82. "Right but since his appeal is comedy" In response to Reply # 80
It gets tired if he's recycling the same three or four jokes.
If a rapper's appeal is wordplay or delivery, then that has a longer shelflife (IMO, of course)
I'm still amused by some of his lines because his references are so left-field sometimes that they're hilarious. But it also feels tired and redundant to listen to
83. "Another way to frame it" In response to Reply # 82
Someone like Joey Badass isn't having a diverse array of topics but he can blend into the track so that you can listen to the same ish over and over for the production
Someone like Pusha isn't having a diverse array of topics but his flow is so sinister and delivery so sharp that it's compelling to listen to regardless of the content
Action doesn't have that - his high-pitched voice and presence make you listen to him - he never blends into the track - but he doesn't have the flow or delivery that gives it replay value. You're listening for the punchlines & comedy, and once those go away, his appeal dries up pretty quickly
84. "Hipster paranoia is very real among music nerds" In response to Reply # 71
The people who always scream "it's about the music" the loudest are the ones who spend the whole concert looking at the people around them.
BTW: I don't think Bronson really has much of a backlash compared to Danny Brown. People are just waiting to see if the album is good which, based on what's been released, seems fairly likely.
88. "I think the turn reflects the realization of this is all we're getting" In response to Reply # 71
Good rapper, clever wordplay, whimsical sense of humor. From there, I think it's fair to ask "so how good is he?
I think Bun B sort of called Bronson on this on an interview a few years back where he was like he said he liked Bronson a lot but wished he would dig a little deeper emotionally.
I think someone pointed out earlier this is where he and ghost really diverge and that's absolutely right. I don't think he'll ever have anything close to "all I got is you" in his catalogue.
I like Bronson. I'll keep checking for his new stuff. I think it's fair at this point to point out what he can't (or is unwilling) to do.
90. "Casper the Friendly Ghost"" In response to Reply # 0
You take the blue pill, the story ends. You wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill, you stay in Wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes.
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