Action Bronson returns with his major-label sophomore album, ‘Blue Chips 7000.’ The rapper’s flow and knack for storytelling remains intact.

East coast rapper and former chef Action Bronson returns with his second major label album, Blue Chips 7000.  Blue Chips 7000 arrives two years after his debut, Mr. Wonderful, which featured the hit, “Baby Blue,” featuring Chance the Rapper. Lyrically, he’s a rapper who continues to be ‘all over the map.’  He has an interesting way of telling stories, and his flow and style have been compared to Ghostface Killah, whom he had bad blood with previously.  All of his positive attributes return on his sophomore album, Blue Chips 7000.  It’s not perfect, but, there are plenty of worthwhile moments.

“Wolfpack” 

Blue Chips 7000 opens with a ‘high,’ thanks to “Wolfpack.” The specific high comes from an intro on the track, in which Action Bronson asks his mom (presumably) to describe her high.  Eventually, the song begins, with the rapper’s typical over-the-top rhymes and old-school, jazzy-soul production.  On follow-up “La Luna,” Action raps over ‘on-hold’ music, from his phone, as he waits for a response to get a requested car.  Perhaps it’s random, but his flow remains compelling – he rides the beat well.

“The Chairman’s Intent” follows.  Released as a single, while it doesn’t check off the boxes in regards to commercial sensibilities, it’s a respectable, enjoyable record.  Highlights include the old-school production and the tough-minded flow of A.B. This is good stuff, if not quite ‘great.’

“Hot Pepper”

On “Hot Pepper,” Action Bronson brings some Jamaican flavor to Blue Chips 7000.  Not only does this include the production, but also guest Jah Tiger.  Bronson doesn’t handle the rhymes all by himself either, enlisting Queens rapper Mayhem Lauren. “Bonzai” keeps it short and sweet – less than two-minutes.  Even so, Action Bronson always does well with shorter durations, and “Bonzai” is no difference. His flow, as well as his ability to tell a crazy story, pays massive dividends.

“Let It Rain” commences with psychedelic organ and female orgasmic sounds – charming.  Returning Action to full-length status, he’s on autopilot over funky, jazzy group.  A constant of Blue Chips 7000 is the production, which tends to hearken back to the past. He’s hilarious on “My Right Lung,” where he asserts, “I’d give my right lung if I could dunk a basketball one time.” Additionally, he also states:

“My Columbian princess’ll come and hit you with the scissors / In the neck ‘til it look like Twizzlers.”

“TANK” 

Action Bronson enlists Big Body Bes on the hook-less “TANK.”  The production (The Alchemist), and the flow, rhymes, and storytelling abilities of Bronson make it a winner.  Big Body Bes closes out the track, but it’s more or less an interlude or spoken word contribution.  Promo single “Let Me Breathe” follows, giving the rapper a banger – contextually speaking.  Here, he continues to flaunt his big personality and a solid flow.  Lyrically and thematically, “Let Me Breathe” is okay, but more cliché as opposed to groundbreaking.

“9-24-7000” gives Action Bronson a bit of a different sound.  Hearing the production work, before Rick Ross ever raps, you can tell why he was picked as a featured guest.  The sound is a bend of the luxurious rap sound, with a dash of tropical cues.  Like many songs off of Blue Chips 7000, there’s no hook.  In the case of this tour de force, no hook is needed.

“The Choreographer”

Three more songs grace Blue Chips 7000.  On “The Choreographer,” Action Bronson is confident and sexed-up.  The listeners even get a catchy hook, which works sensationally against the funky, old-school backdrop.

“I’m the man right now / I got the plan right now / F*ck that, I got the word in my hand right now / I should be somewhere sunny, gettin’ tanned right now / Uh, but I’ma show you how to move / I’ma show you how to dance / Got the pistol in my pants / I got the pistol in my pants / I’ma show you how to dance.”

Another banger arrives via penultimate joint “Chop Chop Chop,” where “The wheels on the Range go chop, chop, chop.” The hook is dumb, but the vintage sounding production atones. “Durag vs. Headband,” once more featuring Big Body Bes, concludes.  All in all, it’s another interesting song, if more novel than hit.  Still, the BMW line is irresistible:

“And when I die, make sure you spread my blood on a BMW.”

Final Thoughts

All in all, Action Bronson delivers a respectable sophomore album with Blue Chips 7000.  His flow is awesome, his sense of humor ripe, and at times, his rhymes are imaginative.  Furthermore, the production work is great throughout. It’s not all smooth sailing, particularly given the fact that Blue Chips 7000 is ‘all over the place,’ but it’s more enjoyable and satisfactory than not.

Gems: “Hot Pepper,” “Let it Rain,” “TANK,” “Let Me Breathe,” “9-24-7000” & “The Choreographer”

Action Bronson • Blue Chips 7000 • Atlantic • Release: 8.25.17

Photo Credit: Atlantic