“This is for all the motherfuckers who have been there since Blue Chips 1,” said Action Bronson, standing center stage at Grand Central in downtown Miami.
Dope Entertainment sold out the club this past weekend by bringing out Flushing, Queens rapper and chef extraordinaire Action Bronson in support of his major-label debut, Mr. Wonderful. Featuring the likes of Meyhem Lauren, Chance the Rapper, and Big Body Bes and recorded at Zelig Studios in London with producer Mark Ronson, this new slab is being followed up by an international tour that kicked off last month in Detroit and ends in Dallas on June 1 before Bronsolino voyages to Europe.
As for the Miami gig, it was a classic Action showing. “Packed house tonight. Action Bronson got the stage barricaded up like WWE SmackDown, singing ballads,” said Sean Bang. Fellow New York act Tim Wicked opened the night with a brief yet captivating pop performance, even showing off some dance moves. Then legendary hip-hop producer Alchemist played Gloria Estefan and rap hits while hiding in the shadows of the DJ booth. But soon enough, Bronson hit the stage, rolling out with a life supply of dab pens by Dr. Dabbers, an official sponsor of the big man's tour.
The native New Yorker played songs from the new album, including “Easy Rider” and lead single “Baby Blue” featuring Chance the Rapper. But he also took it back to his early, already-approaching-classic-status mixtapes and EPs, like Blue Chips 1, Rare Chandeliers, and Saab Stories. Among these throwback highlights were “Hookers at the Point” and “The Symbol.”
The last time that Bronson played Grand Central, he dropped a Billy Joel homage, rapping the words to “Movin' Out.” This time, he sang along to the song “Driver,” paying tribute to imprisoned dancehall star Buju Banton, who’s currently serving federal time on a drug charge.
After the show, Bronsolino took it to the streets with his peeps.
In an era of excess and superstar antics, this New Yorker, even amid his ever-rising rap-world profile, remains the humble and extremely approachable person he's has always been — a unique trait that should not go unnoticed and that we doubt will ever fade.
As usual, he showed genuine love for the fans, as he hung around following his performance at Grand Central, spending time with his followers, signing vinyl, and even posing for photos with a few pieces of fan art.
After meeting and greeting and taking endless selfies with concertgoers, Bronson hit the road with his team en route to the Big Guava Festival in Tampa, Florida.
“Thank you for coming out. This is a Dope Ent show,” said Dope cofounder Tariq Cherif. "Don’t drink and drive when you can smoke and fly."