Action Bronson on Mac Miller, Oxtail, and Why You Won't Ever See Him Wearing A Skirt

What's your goal from here? You just got a deal with VICE, are you cool to stay at this level? Because you've got a pretty big crowd from only putting out your own stuff. What's the next milestone for you?
I haven't really thought of that honestly. To step from where I'm at to the next level is not that far off from now. I figure I could be here or take a half a step up and get to the next level. I'm just comfortable where I'm at, but I always want to progress, if that makes sense. That's the thing; I can't see myself like...wearing skirts and trying to be all like, wearing a wig. I'm too me. And if that's the way...let me put it this way, if I get anywhere it's going to be doing what I do and not conforming to anybody's way of living things. My way or no way.

Have you been offered any big-time things you've turned down yet?
What do you mean?

Like spots on songs you weren't cool with?
No. I've done a song with Wiz, I've done a song with Mac Miller. I've done a song with the grimiest rappers, no names, big names. There's not really anything I've turned down that I wouldn't do. If there's an opportunity then I'll go for it. And I'm gonna do it my way. I'm not gonna fucking cheese it out just to be on some shit.

So were you a Mac Miller fan?
I'm a fan of him. I like him. I'm starting to--he's making better music now. I didn't really enjo...I've never actually, I'm not gonna front, I didn't listen to him.

But you think he's getting better?
I do. I do think he's getting better. He's on a mission to let motherfuckers know he can rap.

So what was it like making the "Bird on a Wire" video with Riff Raff?
It was a trip. He's a character, he's a trip man. Yeah, but he's fun.

Who rolled the giant jays that are hanging out of your mouth in it?
I roll all my joints. Always. Of course. Can't let anyone roll your joints for you. I take pride in that shit, it's like cooking. It's a skill.
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You've done tapes about cooking so are you gonna do one about rolling
I don't even smoke weed anymore, today was the first day I smoked weed in a while.

What was the occasion?
I don't know. I really think that's what knocked me the fuck out. I'm used to smoking my pen all day long, got immune to that. Just smoked a J with some hash in it and I just got fucking trashed.

How long since you last got high?
Well I'm just not cigging up. I'm smoking the concentrate, THC, you know? Just not smoking the actual weed. The most I ever went was six months without smoking, since I was 16.

Where were you just at?
Queens, sleeping at my house. I do shows off and on all year long.

Is it always off and on?
Yeah, I do stints of three weeks, two weeks. Because of my style of rap, I'd say after 13 shows I'm torched. I need some time to rest in between. I haven't done any crazy 40 days...not sure that's for me yet.

And you've got to see the family.
Of course.

Have your kids heard your music?
Course they have.

You don't have to shield all the curse words?
They don't listen to 'em. My daughter says she doesn't like when daddy curses. They're gonna grow up to be rational fuckin' reasonable human beings.

What rapper would you most like to work with in 2013?
I just want to do a song with Kool G Rap. That would be dope.

Have people finally calmed down with comparing you to Ghostface?
It's whatever. At the end of the day it doesn't matter.

It's a pretty big compliment at least.
It's really not...I don't have a feeling one way or another about it. Somebody's always gonna compare you to somebody, fuck it. I'm fine with a Ghostface comparison.

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