Action Bronson likes to keep us all on our toes. Not only does he make music that ruffles feathers, no matter what it’s about, but he doesn’t look like the traditional image of a rapper, either.

He looks more like a professional chef. That’s right – Bronson went to the Culinary Institute in New York and trained to be a chef for years before he turned to rap. How’s that for a career change? The surprising facts about Bronson just keep going. Like how his real name is Arian Allasani and that he’s a practicing Muslim. Want to learn more about this fascinating man? Keep reading, below.

Early Life

Arian, or Bronson as he’s now known, grew up in Queens, NY. His dad is from Albania, and his mother is Jewish – so it’s safe to say he comes from an interesting cultural mix. Bronson spent his early years helping his parents in their restaurant, which sparked his love of food. He turned that love of food into a career and even had his own cooking show, Action in the Kitchen, which you could stream online. Action didn’t turn to rap until he broke his leg in 2006. That leg kept him from being in the kitchen and spurred him to find a recording booth.

A Controversial Career

Bronson put out his first mixtape in 2007, and people who listened to it found themselves surprised. Who was this new rapper that wasn’t afraid to cross political correctness lines? His fans didn’t have to wait long for more albums. He got to work and put out two studio records just a few years later, with the help of producer Static Selektah.

Those albums (and his mixtapes) helped him make a name for himself, and build a fanbase in NY and online. Since then, his career has gone global, and he’s is set to put out another studio album sometime soon.