New York rapper Action Bronson will perform in Anchorage on Oct. 23 in a show presented by the UAA Concert Board in Egan Center.
Bronson, born Ariyan Arslani, worked at his family's restaurant, studied in the culinary program of the Art Institute of New York and became a respected gourmet chef with an online cooking show, "Action in the Kitchen." Rapping was a hobby until a broken leg limited his mobility while cooking. He released his debut album, "Dr. Lecter," on an independent label in 2011. He signed with Warner Brothers Records in 2012. He was nominated as "Rookie of the Year" in the 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards and for "Blue Chips 2" in the Best Mixtape category in 2014.
Described by critics as colorful and charismatic, Bronson is known for a sharp sense of humor in his songs, which often have references to food and eating, "Jerk Chicken," "Pouches of Tuna" and "Ceviche," a nod to his former career as a cook. He has a food show on Vice called "F---. That's delicious."
He drew fire for an early song, "Consensual Rape," when he was invited to perform in Toronto, Canada in May. An Atlantic magazine article reported that, according to Bronson, the 2011 song was never been performed. But an online petition objecting to his main stage show on public property as part of the NXNE (North by Northeast) music festival garnered 44,000 signatures. Festival administrators moved the performance to a private venue.
General admission tickets for Bronson's Anchorage show are $35 in advance at ticketmaster.com, $40 at the door. The price of advance tickets for UAA students with I.D. is $25. Those tickets must be purchased in person at the UAA Student Union information desk. Admission at the door for UAA students will be $30. Advance tickets will go on sale at noon on Sept. 18.