Rare Chandeliers is a collaborative hip hop mixtape by American rapper Action Bronson and producer The Alchemist, consisting of 13 tracks and released on November 15, 2012.[1] The project features Bronson's signature humorous and referential lyricism over Alchemist's boom bap-influenced beats, with guest appearances from Roc Marciano, Sean Price, and ScHoolboy Q on select tracks.[2]The mixtape's creation stemmed from over 40 songs recorded during sessions in 2012, allowing for a curated selection that emphasizes Bronson's New York-style storytelling and cultural nods, often blending food references, film allusions, and braggadocio.[3] Key tracks include "Randy The Musical," a playful narrative-driven song, and "Blood Of The Goat," which showcases gritty collaborations, while the production highlights Alchemist's versatile, sample-heavy style with jazzy elements on cuts like "Eggs On The Third Floor."[2] An expanded 16-track version followed on December 20, 2012, and limited-edition vinyl releases, including glow-in-the-dark and pink variants, emerged in 2019, with a deluxe box set in 2022.[1][4]Upon release, Rare Chandeliers received positive critical acclaim for its chemistry between Bronson and Alchemist, earning a "Free Album" consensus rating from HipHopDX for its replay value and Bronson's energetic delivery.[2]Pitchfork awarded it 7.2 out of 10, praising Bronson's imagination and humor but noting the production's subdued tone occasionally muted his vibrant persona.[5] The mixtape solidified Bronson's rising profile in underground hip hop, following his 2011 project Dr. Lecter and preceding his 2012 mixtape Blue Chips.[2]
Background
Artists Involved
Action Bronson, born Ariyan Arslani on December 2, 1983, in Flushing, Queens, New York, to an Albanian Muslim father and a Jewish mother, grew up immersed in the local hip-hop scene. After a period of youthful recklessness, he enrolled in culinary school at age 19 and worked as a chef at his father's Mediterranean restaurant, honing skills that later infused his lyrical style with vivid references to food and cuisine. He began rapping around 2010 via internet freestyles as a hobby while still working as a chef; a leg injury in 2011 shifted his focus more fully toward music. Bronson rose in the underground hip-hop scene through those freestyles, which garnered attention and paved the way for his debut albums Dr. Lecter and Well-Done in 2011, establishing him as a charismatic presence known for his humorous, stream-of-consciousness delivery. Rare Chandeliers emerged as a pivotal early project in his discography, solidifying his reputation in the genre.[6]The Alchemist, born Alan Daniel Maman on October 25, 1977, in Beverly Hills, California, is a veteran hip-hop producer whose career began in the mid-1990s as a teenage rapper in the group The Whooliganz alongside future actor Scott Caan, though the act disbanded shortly after. Transitioning to production in the late 1990s, he gained prominence through collaborations with Dilated Peoples and Mobb Deep, contributing tracks to the latter's Murda Muzik album and becoming a key architect of their gritty sound. His production style, characterized by dusty, sample-heavy beats that evoke soulful, atmospheric textures, has defined much of his output, earning acclaim for its hard-edged yet intricate approach. Over the years, Maman has worked with a roster of hip-hop icons, including producing for Nas and Jadakiss in the early 2000s, and serving as Eminem's official DJ since 2005 while contributing to projects like Bad Meets Evil under Shady Records. By the early 2010s, his signature sound had influenced a new generation of underground artists.[7][8])Bronson and The Alchemist's partnership began in the New York hip-hop circles, culminating in sessions at the producer's Los Angeles studio where they recorded extensively to craft their sound. Rare Chandeliers, released in 2012, marked their first full-length joint project, blending Bronson's food-infused, vivid lyricism with Alchemist's atmospheric, sample-driven production to create a cohesive underground classic. This collaboration highlighted Bronson's trajectory toward later mainstream success, including television hosting and major label releases.[9][10]
Development Origins
The collaborative mixtape Rare Chandeliers was conceived in 2011, shortly after Action Bronson's debut album Dr. Lecter, when he and producer The Alchemist bonded over their mutual appreciation for 1990s East Coast rap influences such as Wu-Tang Clan and Mobb Deep, as well as Bronson's signature use of culinary metaphors in lyrics. This connection, rooted in Bronson's Queens heritage and Alchemist's affinity for New Yorkhip-hop lineages, laid the foundation for a project that emphasized their distinctive creative synergy.[11][12]A pivotal early decision was to structure the mixtape as a concise, 13-track release intended for free distribution to generate buzz without the constraints of a commercial album, particularly given challenges with sample clearances that would have complicated a paid rollout. The initial creative sessions were ignited by Alchemist emailing beats to Bronson, who then recorded freestyles over them in informal home studio setups, allowing for a fluid and experimental workflow that produced around 40 songs before selection.[11][9]Thematically, Rare Chandeliers centered on concepts of rarity and opulence, with the title serving as a metaphor for luxury and exclusivity drawn from Bronson's personal anecdotes about extravagant, once-in-a-lifetime experiences, positioning the duo as "special humans" akin to priceless artifacts. This framework distinguished the project by blending Mafioso rap aesthetics with Bronson's vivid storytelling, fostering a cohesive narrative of elevated indulgence.[11][9][12]
Production
Recording Sessions
The recording sessions for Rare Chandeliers commenced with an initial track recorded in Queens, New York, before shifting primarily to The Alchemist's home studio in Los Angeles, California, where Action Bronson traveled four to five times for hands-on collaboration.[13] The sessions began around mid-2011 and spanned to late 2012, with the intensive phase concentrated in the months leading up to the mixtape's November 15, 2012 release; Bronson noted that the duo could have finished a full album in just three days given their around-the-clock workflow, ultimately producing nearly 40 songs in under three months to sustain the raw, unpolished energy.[13][9]Guest features were integrated during sessions at Alchemist's house, which functioned like a "rap camp" with frequent visits from other artists including ScHoolboy Q, Roc Marciano, and Styles P, allowing for live interactions that captured spontaneous chemistry, while some contributions, such as Sean Price's, were recorded remotely.[13][14]The recording process emphasized immediacy, with Bronson writing and laying down vocals right after hearing beats—often in the early morning hours—to preserve improvisational flow.[14]
Production Techniques
The Alchemist's approach to beat construction on Rare Chandeliers centered on sourcing obscure samples from 1970s soul, jazz, and film scores to evoke a raw, underground aesthetic. Tracks frequently incorporated chopped and pitched elements from these sources, such as the interpolation of Budka Suflera's 1976 rock track "Pieśń Niepokorna" in the title song and Lalo Schifrin's 1973 film score "The Cross" from Enter the Dragon in "Blood of the Goat," manipulated via MPC for a lo-fi, nostalgic texture that blurred the lines between vintage warmth and modern minimalism.[15][16][17]Signature production elements included sparse, punchy drum patterns paired with eerie synth lines and reverb-drenched atmospheres, fostering a cinematic tension suited to Action Bronson's dense lyricism. For texture, The Alchemist layered subtle vinyl crackle throughout, as heard in the hazy backdrops of cuts like "The Symbol," ensuring an underproduced feel that prioritized organic grit over polished effects.[18][19]The collaboration involved The Alchemist delivering original beats tailored to Bronson's vision, with all 13 tracks of the project crafted in response to the rapper's direct feedback during studio sessions. This process avoided auto-tune and contemporary digital effects, anchoring the sound in authentic 1990s boom-bap traditions through deliberate restraint and analog-inspired fidelity.[9][1]The entire production was handled solo by The Alchemist, who also oversaw in-house mixing to maintain tight control over the final sonic palette.
Musical Content
Style and Themes
Rare Chandeliers showcases a musical style that fuses hardcore East Coast rap with sample-driven production. The Alchemist's beats feature innovative elements like hard prog-rock riffs and bass lines that provide space for Bronson's delivery, creating a raw, gritty sound distinct from more conventional hip-hop arrangements.[9] This approach revives classic New Yorkrap while incorporating darker, stately tones through precise, dusty productions that emphasize funky guitar licks and vocal samples.[5][20]Lyrically, the mixtape employs Bronson's stream-of-consciousness storytelling, rich with food references, depictions of street life, humor, and bravado. Tracks weave vivid anecdotes, such as cooking eggs like Ving Rhames or indulging in spaghetti, alongside non-sequiturs and eclectic cultural nods that highlight personal excess and urban grit.[9][20] Motifs of rarity permeate the content, symbolizing unique possessions and experiences—like the titular "rare chandeliers" that represent the duo's elusive collaboration—tying directly to the project's title and underscoring themes of exclusivity and value.[9]Guest contributions from artists like Big Twin, who delivers mafioso tales, ScHoolboy Q, Roc Marciano, Styles P, Evidence, Sean Price, Meyhem Lauren, and AG Da Coroner, infuse additional grit and variety, enhancing the hardcore edge without diluting Bronson's voice.[9] The overall tone balances celebratory indulgence with a gritty undercurrent, as Bronson's humor and self-assured illusions contrast the shadowy street narratives.[5]The mixtape's short runtime of 39:50 emphasizes density and quality over length, with the duo selecting the strongest tracks from nearly 40 recorded sessions to eliminate any filler and maintain relentless momentum.[9]
Track Listing
Rare Chandeliers is a collaborative mixtape consisting of 13 tracks, all produced by The Alchemist.[21] Writer credits are primarily attributed to Ariyan Arslani (Action Bronson) for lyrics and Alan Maman (The Alchemist) for music across the project.[1] The total runtime is 39:50. Although no official singles were released, the title track "Rare Chandeliers" emerged as a fan favorite among listeners.[22]
Track No.
Title
Featured Artist(s)
Length
Notable Samples
1
Big Body Bes Intro
Big Body Bes
1:24
"Community Watch" by Dwight Mikkelsen (1984)[23]
2
Rare Chandeliers
2:39
"Pieśń Niepokorna" by Budka Suflera (1976)[15]
3
The Symbol
3:34
"Flying" by UFO (1971)[23]
4
Sylvester Lundgren
Meyhem Lauren, AG da Coroner
2:32
"May Be" by Jack Arel (1970)[23]
5
Randy the Musical
4:24
6
Demolition Man
Schoolboy Q
2:32
7
Eggs on the Third Floor
4:09
"The Ring (Hypnotic Seduction of Dale)" by Queen (1980); "Ano Hi Kohi Shoppu De" by Inoue Takayuki Band[24]
8
Modern Day Revelations
Roc Marciano
2:47
9
Dennis Haskins
2:00
10
Bitch, I Deserve You
Evidence
3:18
11
Gateway to Wizardry
Styles P
4:18
12
Blood of the Goat
Big Twin, Sean Price
3:35
13
Mike Vick
2:38
"Here We Go (Live at the Funhouse)" by Run-DMC (1985); "Runnin' Away From Love" by The Whatnauts (1972)[24]
Release and Promotion
Initial Release
Rare Chandeliers was released on November 15, 2012, as a free digital mixtape available for download.[25] The project was distributed exclusively in digital format through platforms including Noisey, with direct downloads facilitated via The Alchemist's imprint, and no physical copies were issued at launch.[26][27] An expanded 16-track version followed digitally on December 20, 2012.[1] Limited-edition vinyl releases, including glow-in-the-dark and pink variants, were issued in 2019, followed by a deluxe box set in 2022.[4][28]The mixtape was self-released under ALC Laboratories, The Alchemist's independent label, while benefiting from promotional support tied to Action Bronson's affiliation with Vice Records.[28][29]Launched with limited advance promotion, Rare Chandeliers swiftly attracted attention through Bronson's burgeoning online presence and word-of-mouth among hip-hop enthusiasts.[9]
Marketing Efforts
To generate pre-release buzz for Rare Chandeliers, Action Bronson and The Alchemist shared teaser content starting in October 2012, including an official trailer for the lead single "The Symbol" on platforms like YouTube and Hypebeast, which previewed the track's cinematic style.[30] This was followed by the full music video for "The Symbol," directed by Rik Cordero and released via Noisey on October 22, 2012, depicting Bronson in a theatrical narrative involving 1970s aesthetics and action sequences to build excitement for the mixtape.[31] Bronson's background as a former chef was incorporated into promotional visuals, such as the cover art featuring an alligator with a machine gun strapped to its head amid opulent, surreal imagery that tied into the project's luxurious "rare chandeliers" theme, emphasizing his food-obsessed persona.[32]The mixtape's premiere was hosted exclusively on Noisey, Vice Media's music platform, where it launched for free streaming on SoundCloud playlists beginning November 15, 2012, allowing immediate accessibility to fans and leveraging Vice's audience for broader exposure.[33] The cover art, designed by illustrator Johnny Sampson and revealed by Noisey alongside the tracklist, showcased bizarre, high-end elements like crystal chandeliers and eclectic characters to align with the mixtape's indulgent vibe; it was later voted Noisey's Best Cover Art of 2012.[33] Limited merchandise, including T-shirts inspired by the artwork, was made available through Bronson's official website to capitalize on the release.[34]Sustaining momentum post-release, the project tied into "The Rare Chandeliers Tour," with joint performances in late 2012, including shows in New York at Best Buy Theater on November 28 and in California at The Independent in San Francisco on November 25, often featuring collaborators like Cypress Hill to extend promotional reach.[31][35]
Reception and Legacy
Critical Response
Upon its release in November 2012, Rare Chandeliers received generally favorable reviews from music critics, who praised the synergy between Action Bronson's vivid lyricism and The Alchemist's atmospheric production. Pitchfork awarded it a 7.2 out of 10, highlighting the duo's chemistry on tracks like "Randy the Musical" and "Eggs on the Third Floor," where loose structures and a live-band feel created engaging moments, though noting that Alchemist's precise beats sometimes failed to fully energize Bronson's persona.[5]HipHopDX gave it their highest mixtape rating of "Free Album," calling it a "throwback gem" that blended generations through heavy-hitting antics and seamless fusion, with Bronson's high-pitched, forceful delivery filled with humorous references shining over Alchemist's "amazing" production.[2]Critics consistently lauded Bronson's charismatic, rapid-fire delivery—evoking a mix of humor, food obsessions, and pop culture nods—and Alchemist's soul-sampled beats, which provided a gritty boom bap foundation suited to underground rap's early 2010s revival.[36] Minor criticisms focused on the project's brevity and occasional filler, limiting deeper exploration.[2] Aggregated scores reflected this balance, with Metacritic compiling a 74 out of 100 based on 10 reviews, including highs of 90 from PopMatters and Exclaim!.[37]In retrospective assessments, Rare Chandeliers has been viewed as an underrated classic within Bronson's discography, bolstered by its 2019 deluxe vinyl edition that renewed interest among collectors.[28] A 2022 analysis described it as "dirt-covered vintage" overlooked amid 2012's crowded releases, praising its mafioso-esque rawness and Bronson's establishment of a unique, Ghostface Killah-inspired identity, though its scarcity on streaming platforms contributed to underappreciation.[38] Another 2022 review affirmed its delight for fans of Queens-style rap, emphasizing emotional range and Alchemist's slick instrumentals, while noting it reinforced Bronson's persona without broadly innovating.[39] User aggregates on sites like Album of the Year averaged around 80 out of 100, with comments hailing it as an "essential" and "destined classic" for its punchy bars and production.[40]
Cultural Impact
Rare Chandeliers solidified Action Bronson's position as an emerging force in hip-hop, coming shortly after his August 2012 signing to Warner Bros. Records and contributing to his transition to Vice Records, which opened doors to broader opportunities including the 2016 VICELAND series Fuck, That's Delicious.[13][41] The project also bolstered The Alchemist's standing in indie rap circles, where his intricate, sample-driven production on the mixtape reinforced his role as a key architect of underground soundscapes.[42]The mixtape's blend of Bronson's vivid storytelling—often laced with culinary allusions from his days as a professional chef—helped pioneer the "chef-rapper" persona, influencing a new wave of artists who merged foodculture with lyricism.[2] Its dense, eclectic sampling approach, drawing from obscure sources like Polish rock and film scores, further encouraged sample-heavy producer-rapper pairings in the indie scene, echoing classic New Yorkrap traditions while pushing creative boundaries.[5]A deluxe vinylreissue arrived in November 2019 via The Alchemist's Bandcamp, offering limited-edition pressings in colors like black, glow-in-the-dark, and pink, along with bonus tracks and packaging that tapped into the era's vinyl revival.[28][43]As a free digital release, Rare Chandeliers endures as a hallmark of the early 2010smixtape boom, earning spots in year-end rankings like Pitchfork's top 50 albums of 2012 and retrospective nods as a cult classic amid the shift to streaming dominance.[44][42]