Combining gut-busting humor, complex lyrical food references, and a vast understanding of street culture, Action Bronson carved out his own lane last year with undeniable mic skills and gregariously offbeat charisma. After self-releasing acclaimed debut "Dr. Lecter" and a well-received collaborative album with producer Statik Selectah ("Well-Done," on DCide), Bronson's latest effort, "Blue Chips," finds the Queens native teaming with Fool's Good Records producer Party Supplies and sneaker brand Reebok for an off-the-cuff free mixtape.
Much like Bronson's endless punch lines, "Blue Chips," out today (March 12) on Complex.com, took shape in an easygoing studio atmosphere. "The original thing I wanted to call it was '5 Minute Beats and 1 Take Raps' [because] that's pretty much all it really was," Bronson reveals. "It was all on the fly shit," agrees Party Supplies. "It wasn't thought out."
Most of "Blue Chips" was made in Party Supplies' home studio in Brooklyn over YouTube sample digging, grub from local chicken joint Pies 'n' Thighs, and obligatory smoke sessions.
Action Bronson + Party Supplies, "Blue Chips"
"I jumped on YouTube, found some weird obscure sample -- basically started looping it on the drum machine and [Bronson] wrote some shit," Party Supplies says of the recording. "It's digging in the crates," Bronson adds. " is digging nonetheless. It's still hard to find [the gems]."
The spontaneous environment spurred some choice moments of carefree collaboration. "Party Supplies helped me out on a rhyme, on the song 'Blue Chips,'" laughs Bronson. "He actually was saying things to me and I was turning them into rap."
That open-minded attitude attracted Reebok, leading it to fund the project and sponsor the release. "They're very progressive. They're both two different people, both very creative," says Reebok head of entertainment for global Matt Pantoja, a hip-hop fan and friend of managers Dante Ross (Bronson) and Peter Oasis (Party Supplies). "Everybody's talking about bringing New York back and all these things, and I felt like this was something that was going to create that kind of energy and get people psyched on the project."
For both artists, the Reebok deal was a chance to pair with one of their favorite brands. "Reebok introduced the idea to us, we were into it, and we love Reebok. [They're] such a classic company," Party Supplies says. "I grew up wearing them shits," affirms Bronson. "I wear the Kamakazi and I still have a lot of old school Reeboks today: the Pumps, the Michael Chang's, the Shaq's."
Tan Leather
Action Bronson & Party Supplies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cause I'm living for today, tryin' not to drown in a bottle
Death all around me, drugs seem to numb me
Mental's gettin' sicker, the Devil's gettin' comfy
Acupuncture with the smoke like I'm Mason Storm
Legs crossed like a Buddhist, smokin' Buddha
Angry tuna, chillin', gettin' brain from Uma
Used to lose, now everybody kangaroos
Smoke the marijuana, always been the same guy
Whether ballin' on a yacht, or haulin' from the cops
I'm flooring on the Fox, 'til I'm swelled up in a box
All you gotta do is see me when you see me
I'm burnin' bitches from the TV like a CD
I'm trynna live the life in 3D
So you could nibble on my pee-pee
We out in Fiji
From having money on my mind to having money in my pocket
Bone marrow roasted
Spread it on the rosemary bread, lightly toasted
Drizzle with the vinagrette
Stuffed dutches and it's pulling like a cigarette
Until I'm tan skinned, bitches sayin' that I'm handsome
'Bout to be up on the screen like Ted Danson
Suede loincloth, never fall off
Mr. Wonderful, Paul Orndorff
Leather jacket, knee length
Peace to people gettin' money in the 80's with the freebase
First time, you get a free taste
That's the start of a career chase, I'm eatin' cheese plate
Skirt steak shaved straight up off the diaphragm
Muay Thai title fights out in Thailand
I spit the fly shit, accompanied by fly bank
Use the flows that have me diving up in thighs tan
Purple rain, no Prince, summer solstice
Dope body, but her pussy's like an old fish
The antipasti is a cold dish
Yo, I'm focused, catch me out in London speakin' Polish
From having money on my mind to having money in my pocket
Bone marrow roasted
Spread it on the rosemary bread, lightly toasted
Drizzle with the vinagrette
Stuffed dutches and it's pulling like a cigarette
The lyrics of Action Bronson & Party Supplies's "Tan Leather" appear to be a stream of consciousness, with the rapper using metaphors and wordplay to convey the hedonistic lifestyle he's living in the moment. Starting with the line "Fuck the light at the end of the tunnel," the rapper suggests that he's not concerned with long-term consequences or goals, but instead living in the moment. He acknowledges that drugs and death are all around him, and he's using them to numb his pain and forget about these harsh realities. He compares smoking marijuana to acupuncture, suggesting that it's a form of self-medication for his mental and emotional issues.
The verses are filled with pop culture references and amusing metaphors, such as comparing himself to Mason Storm from the film Hard to Kill, or getting brain from Uma (Thurman). Despite being high and carefree, he insists that he's the same person whether he's "balling on a yacht, or haulin' from the cops." He also references his own sexuality and wealth, boasting that he wants to "live the life in 3D" so that others can "nibble on [his] pee-pee." The chorus repeats the phrase "from having money on my mind to having money in my pocket," suggesting that he's living his best life and enjoying the fruits of his labor.
Overall, the lyrics of "Tan Leather" are entertaining and vivid, with a strong emphasis on wordplay and hedonism. While some may find the song frivolous or even obnoxious, others may appreciate the rapper's carefree attitude and creative rhymes.
Line by Line Meaning
Fuck the light at the end of the tunnel
I’m not living for some future goal or success; I’m living each day as it comes.
Cause I'm living for today, tryin' not to drown in a bottle
I’m trying to enjoy life by living in the moment without getting too caught up in drugs and alcohol.
Death all around me, drugs seem to numb me
I’m surrounded by death and drugs are my way of escaping reality.
Mental's gettin' sicker, the Devil's gettin' comfy
My mental health is deteriorating and the devil is becoming more comfortable in my life.
Acupuncture with the smoke like I'm Mason Storm
I’m smoking weed like it’s my medicine and it’s helping me deal with my problems.
Legs crossed like a Buddhist, smokin' Buddha
I’m trying to find inner peace through meditation and smoking weed.
Angry tuna, chillin', gettin' brain from Uma
I’m trying to relax and enjoy life by having sex and getting head.
Used to lose, now everybody kangaroos
I used to be a loser, but now everyone is imitating me and trying to be like me.
Hop off the schnitzel, see me on Kissena
I’m from Queens, NY and I’m proud of it.
Smoke the marijuana, always been the same guy
I’ve been smoking weed and living my life my way for a long time.
Whether ballin' on a yacht, or haulin' from the cops
I’ve had good times and bad times, but I’ve always stayed true to myself.
I'm flooring on the Fox, 'til I'm swelled up in a box
I’m living life to the fullest until the day I die.
All you gotta do is see me when you see me
I’m always real and authentic, what you see is what you get.
I'm burnin' bitches from the TV like a CD
I’m killing the game and taking over the industry.
I'm trynna live the life in 3D
I’m trying to live life to the fullest in all its dimensions.
So you could nibble on my pee-pee
I’m so successful and attractive, I’m posing a challenge to those who are trying to come at me.
We out in Fiji
I’m living the life of luxury, traveling to exotic places like Fiji.
From having money on my mind to having money in my pocket
I’ve worked hard and now I’ve achieved financial success.
Bone marrow roasted
I’m indulging in luxurious foods like bone marrow.
Spread it on the rosemary bread, lightly toasted
I’m enjoying the finer things in life like artisanal bread.
Drizzle with the vinaigrette
I’m paying attention to the details and making sure my food is properly prepared.
Stuffed dutches and it's pulling like a cigarette
I’m smoking blunts that are stuffed so tight they pull like a cigarette.
Until I'm tan skinned, bitches sayin' that I'm handsome
I want to be so successful and rich that women are attracted to me and want to be with me.
'Bout to be up on the screen like Ted Danson
I’m about to be a famous celebrity like Ted Danson.
Suede loincloth, never fall off
I’m fashion-forward and always wearing the latest clothing trends.
Mr. Wonderful, Paul Orndorff
I’m a wonderful person and people admire me, like the legendary wrestler Paul Orndorff.
Leather jacket, knee length
I’m always looking fresh and fly, even when wearing a knee-length leather jacket.
Peace to people gettin' money in the 80's with the freebase
I respect and acknowledge the hustle of those who made money in the 80s, even if it was through freebasing cocaine.
First time, you get a free taste
I’m so confident in my abilities that I’ll give someone a free sample to get them hooked on my talent.
That's the start of a career chase, I'm eatin' cheese plate
I’m confident in my success and know that giving someone a taste of my talent can lead to a lucrative career.
Skirt steak shaved straight up off the diaphragm
I’m enjoying the finer things in life, like cuts of steak shaved straight from the diaphragm.
Muay Thai title fights out in Thailand
I’m not afraid to try new things and take risks, like participating in Muay Thai fights in Thailand.
I spit the fly shit, accompanied by fly bank
I’m always killing the game with my smooth flow and backed up by my success and wealth.
Use the flows that have me diving up in thighs tan
My rap lyrics and flow are so good, they make women want to sleep with me and get a tan from having sex in the sun.
Purple rain, no Prince, summer solstice
I’m enjoying the finer things in life, like drinking purple cocktails on the summer solstice.
Dope body, but her pussy's like an old fish
I’m not interested in women who have bad hygiene or unappealing private parts, even if they have an attractive body.
The antipasti is a cold dish
I’m indulging in high-end Italian cuisine, like cold antipasti.
Yo, I'm focused, catch me out in London speakin' Polish
I’m focused on making moves and expanding my horizons, even if it means speaking a foreign language like Polish in London.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ARIYAN ARSLANI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind