If there’s one thing that almost damn near everyone can agree on liking, that thing is a good meal. Everyone’s idea of what a good meal is… surely must be different, but for real, low key… everyone likes to eat, and eat good at that.
Music is kinda like that too, especially hip hop…you gotta know how to cook on the mic. The beats gotta have mad flavor. Nowadays, there’s a lot of chefs in the kitchen, but the culinary classics are few and far in between.
So when it comes to Dr. Lecter, you know your about to sink your teeth into something delectable. One listen to Acton Bronson, and you know he’s got the recipe under lock and key. With a respectable nod to a certain Shaolin Killah, the Queen’s native rocks with a traditional New York style. Not since MF Doom’s ”Mmm Food” has there been so many edible references. Don’t get it mistaken, the god may get all cordon blu, but he sharpens his knives too.
So what’s Bronsonelli doing in Santa Ana on a Monday night? Burning the roof off the motherfucker most likely…
[if you’ve been paying attention]
The community knows what’s good and the Observatory is setting itself up as the premier venue for live concerts in Orange County. With a little help from DJ Droops, people are getting Out Da House fa sho fa real, cuz the former Globe Theater was packed for the Bronson show, especially packed considering the show jumped off on a Monday night.
The vibe in the Observatory’s Constellation Room is reminiscent of the feeling you get at the Crosby, modern but late 1920’s chic. They’re no boomboxes hung around the bar like art deco, but the sound system there is banging.
Orange County’s own The Speech Impediments, opened up the evening in true form. Pawz One was rocking the mic sporting a Bloodbath leather snapback when the ILLsociety squadron flooded the floor. Pawz represents B.A.D. Company with brother in arms MC Destruct, so expect Bars And Drums when you see him live. He’ll talk about Bitches and Drugs, but also maintain Balance and Distinction kicking mad styles to rock your snot box.
Bumps the Goose splashed the mic next, flexing fly bilingual raps and representing the Rock Bottom crew.
Da Blenda was on the technique 1200s sporting Müz wear and spinning breaks in between acts.
Dirty Suspects got real low down and nasty on the mics, hailing from Riverside, they are some true shady mother fuckers even Ken Keniff from Connecticut would have to give props. With all due respect, they made me wave my middle fingers in the air. The crew was rocking Im King and Diamond Supply. tees, so you know the streetwear was definitely getting sported like high designer fashion in the spot.
Momentum was wearing Akademiks and representing BBI, Barely Broke Intellects. Originally from the Inland Empire, Architect guest featured on Momentum’s set. Architect is from the 951 and helped start up the Rehab, so of you are ever in his area code, make sure to check out his events.
Noa James performed right before Action Bronson and put on a stellar show, even man handling acapellas like cold case files when the serato malfunctioned. Noa James fucks with you if your hearts in it 100%, and mos def he pours his heart into everything he does. Make sure you check him out if you haven’t already, he’ll put your feet on common ground, so wake da fuck up and don’t sleep.
Fam Kills rocked the John Wayne Gacy cameo during James’ set. Don’t let his appearance fool you, the kid will snap on a hipster and go serial killing on mics. I’ve seen him get down before at Bananas in Leimert Park, but back to the incredible elegant elephant. Noa James got a similar look to Action Bronson, minus the large beard and the race issue. It’s a close call when it comes to which of these two brothers can eat more mics, that’s not the point though. I want to hear the two of them collab on a track. Noa is ”kano in a kangol, deep in you’re wife’s anal.” He’s a ”Hockey mask Haitian” spitting flames, so make sure to watch for his movement cuz he’s sure to keep thundering the concrete with more rugged styles.
At 402 lbs. Action Bronson is literally a heavyweight, but even if he was slim, his rhymes would still be phat. He’s in a class with the likes of Big Pun, B.I.G. and Heavy D when it comes to the skills. The great white hype proved to be more than hype and came out freshly tattooed while swinging his meteor hammer. Lighting joint after joint while rocking the mic like Wolf Gang Puck knows his way around the kitchen, Bronson prefers not to be compared with the rep suede wally don. I believe the guy can stand behind his own bars like bulletproof wallets and still not step on the toes of Tony Starks. One way or another, you’re soon to see Bronson out in Africa in tiger’s mink and as long as he doesn’t season his giraffe ribs with nutmeg, then he should be straight.
The crowd was throwing lighters at Bronson as he lit his third joint. The Alchemist was in the cut on the side of the stage smoking just as loud as the man on the mic. Make sure you keep an eye out for the collaboration album the two of them have been working on together entitled “Rare Chandeliers.”
Bronson kept it thorough and roasted the mic just as infamously as he would simmer sauté as a fire-flame gourmet chef in New York City. As far as his kick game, he performed in orange and black Nike flip flops. [Just so you know] He kept his cool and gave his fans what they wanted as he signed everything from snap backs to dollar bills while still on stage and made sure to pow wow and chop it up with everyone who stuck around after the show.
If that’s not worth getting out the house for… I really don’t know what is. They had $5 brandy & scotch specials at the bar, and of course the merlot was murder.
– you know ya man’s Drop Jewels
All photos by æron archambault & Jeremy Lawson
Follow
