After dropping well-received joint projects with everyone from Party Supplies to Alchemist, Queens rapper Action Bronson links with Brooklynite producer Harry Fraud to create Saaab Stories. It’s a partnership fans have been clamoring for ever since the rhyming chef did “karate in the water” alongside Riff Raff over la musica de Harry Fraud on 2012’s “Bird On A Wire.” But how does the project measure up to Bronson’s previous efforts with other producers, especially with so much less?
On the EP opener, “2 Virgins,” Action wastes no time building a narrative up from scratch, alluding to “nickels of dirt” to signify humble beginnings and building himself up verbally into something more ruthless (“Close my eyes, spray the whip, hit your rib twice / Now your kids gotta deal with this shit, ‘cause this is life…”). It’s that rhyme style purists can appreciate for the humorous-but-serious references delivered with that no-nonsense slow flow. There are multiple references to ‘90s NBA mainstays Shawn Kemp, Dikembe Mutombo, involuntary bowel movements and some cocaine sniffing, just for a bit of variety. The slang-illiterate and those unwilling to Google the obscure references will still gravitate to this if for no other reason than Harry Fraud’s innate ability to sound modern and capture the ‘90s aesthetic in a way that refuses to cater to cultural interlopers.
The inclusion of sidekick Big Body Bes is also great for the brash humor he adds—complete with threats to “smack the shit out you then slap your son five.” Bes is as crass and hilarious as the classic Wu-tang skits. This is “Lifestyle Rap,” and as soon as you press play, you’re a character in Bronsolino’s world. In said world, he’s got his homies with him, playing hype man to themselves—forget the star. It may hamper the listening experience for some, but again, this is Hip Hop.
Harry Fraud holds down his end on “2 Virgins” as well, providing a meandering plethora of guitars and bass that sounds like an Astoria, Queens version of a Wild West showdown. The chemistry continues throughout the project. On “Triple Backflip,” Fraud hooks Action up with that lucid-dream production, mixing lush bells with woodpecker-like percussion. On “No Time,” the producer constructs a feel good track with its own trumpet solos that match the whimsical feel of the rapper featured.
Surprisingly enough, the stand out moments from the project aren’t like “Bird On A Wire” or the other weed-friendly vibes that dominate the EP. The single “Strictly 4 My Jeeps” might be Action’s first mainstream-friendly hit—as its sample of Lowell Fulsom’s “Tramp” (fans of EPMD and LL Cool J’s “Rampage” should be familiar) is tailor made for the whip and dance floor dry humps. And then on the other, other end of the spectrum there’s the latter half of “Alligator,” which features a distorted horn that sounds like something you could read the biblical book of Revelation out loud to. Appropriately enough, Action doesn’t disappoint either, rapping, “Thank God I don’t believe in heaven,” as he fornicates with a reverend’s daughter, ending the encounter with, “I think it’s annual abortion time.” These are two extremes Action has been able to visit but not build a house on without Harry Fraud’s production.
Overall, Saaab Stories is the meeting of two artists who push the old Hip Hop formulas to new places unlike other ‘90s era revivalist types who would rather cling on. The last entry in the EP, “Seven Series Triplets” is evidence of that as Harry Fraud provides that darkness while Action raps nonchalant among two New York legends.
this shit is crazy…mad flavor
Everybody loves this. I’d take Dr. Lecter any day of the week over this.
Guys dope got bars personality humour building up a solid fan base 8000 first week for a ep on a digital only release is impressive
not much like I expected
Stop overrating this wack POS this dudes voice is annoying as f**ck. This album has only done 7,600 no dope artist has this sh*ty sales sorry. Dope artist like Nas and Jay Z can do 400k+ in the frist 2 weeks
sales don’t make the artist by that measure do you think flo-rida is good
That would make Vanilla Ice and MC Hammer two of the greatest of all time.
record sales report who is winning the popularity contest not the talent contest
isnt this the weaker version of ghostface killah?
Okay you can stop copying what other people say about the Ghostface comparisons, if you listen to a lot of Ghostface and Bronson you will realize that they have similar vocal tones, I am sure that Bronson has been influenced by Ghost and a lot of others, I can hear influence from Pun and Kool G Rap for sure but Bronson is in no way simply a rip off of Ghost. Trust me I’ve been listening to Ghost for 20 years now.
You dumb fucks its an EP! Not an album! Action is not overrated! Its mutherfuckers like you that dont real hip hop, and real lyrics! That make it hard for the true mics to shine! Smh! Go buy a drake or lil Wayne mixtape Action is to raw for you!
7,600 albums sales would say other wise if he is so dope go out and buy this album if not STFU
I’m purchasing, dudes doped as fuck
This shit is dope.
People love to hate, this is dope as fuck true hip-hop in the essence
Crazy ep.
This is a solid EP release from Action Bronson. Bronson & Fraud have made so much music together, that it’s a little disappointing that SAAAB Stories isn’t a full length project. That being said it is worth purchasing because Bronson is one of the best artists in hip hop right now. “Alligator” & “Seven Series Triplets” are the stand out tracks for me
like bronson a lot but not really feeling this besides jeeps. not diggin fraud’s beats.
How are they not gonna mention The Rockers? This EP is str8 heat.
Rockers is a banger. Easily the dopest track on this EP.
Although it was short and I would love more songs this is Bronsolini’s best work as of yet. King of New York!
Str8 heat
.
people need to understand that Action is still pretty underground. Its hard to get your name out there and people like Nas and Jay-Z can sell 400k easy cuz they out there so much. Action still trying to get recognition. You guys need to stop bringing up album sales cuz that doesnt define a great artist. Action is pretty dope and i can see him gettin pretty big in the near future
That girl in the video is fat as fuck. Holy shit I can’t believe I just seen that.
Sick EP, running up and down!
I thought he said “Smack of the shit out of you, and then smack ya son’s FATHER”.
A
It was aiiiiittteeeeeeee
Action Bronson deserves a round of applause
Avg.
Derk ridahs, I see derk ridahs. this shit is lame just like everything Bronsilinos done before his next joint I’m not gonna even bother. This shit is the straw that broke the camels back
Complete garbage.
nice bronson, as always
New Jay Z Magna Carta Holy Grail go get it www. hiphopgood .com
s
Y’all wild if yall over here thinkin this shits wack. I copped both Jay’s MCHG and this and I listen to this ANY DAY over MHCG. Y’all n**** can give no new dude that’s spittin some hot s*** shine huh? Y’all gotta go hate on a n**** whos better than Ross, better than Drake and could whoop they ass in a battle but keep buying those Drake albums n complain cuz he too soft. No, I posit that YALL N****S IS TOO SOFT. Y’ALL CANT HANDLE THAT RAP that the greats like DMX n Raekwon used to spit. We got a new guy spittin like the greats n yall cant hadle it cuz y’all were bumpin Ja Rule in ya whip back in 01′ and looked at Drake like the second coming of Ja. Y’all corny mothaf***as yo. Y’all disgust me. And I HOPE none of my NY cats out here hatin. Y’all need to call up the Breakfast Club n Hot 97 n tell em to cut that Weezy/Ross/DJ Khaled/Drake bull**** off the air n pump some Action Bronson, Papoose, Old School DMX, Jay Z, Nas, Mase, Cam, Dipset etc until these new n****s get their act together. Damn! I’m sick of this bull****. I’m thirsty. I want a beer; Jake, you want a beer?
http://www.hulkshare.com/Banannaz
Production Credits: Red Cafe, Chinx Drugz, Kid Ink & More……
http://www.hulkshare.com/Banannaz
Production Credits: Red Cafe, Chinx Drugz, Kid Ink & More……
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Dope
Unreal.