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{{short description|American singer (born 1987)}}{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2021}}

factoids
name	Frank Ocean| image = Frank Ocean 2022 Blonded.jpg| caption = Ocean in 2021| alt = Portrait of Frank Ocean| birth_name = Christopher Edwin Breaux	1987	28|mf=yes{edih}| birth_place = Long Beach, California, U.S.| years_active = 2005–present	Singer songwriter rapper record producer{edih}	Homer (brand)>Homer	Frank Ocean discography	>production}}	List of awards and nominations received by Frank Ocean>Full list
factoids
origin	New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.

• Vocals
• keyboards{edih}

• Blonded{{Efn|Frank Ocean became independent of any record label in August 2016. He released his album Blonde under Boys Don’t Cry, the reissue of his video album Endless under Fresh Produce, LP,WEB,music.apple.com/us/music-video/endless/1143705097, Endless by Frank Ocean on Apple Music, February 17, 2020, Apple, en, February 17, 2020, and all singles featured on Blonded Radio under Blonded.}}
• Def Jam
• RedZone

}}| past_member_of = Odd Futurewww.blonded.co/}}}}}}Frank OceanWEB, Fitzmaurice, Larry, Frank Ocean Legally Changed His Name to Frank Ocean,www.thefader.com/2015/04/23/frank-ocean-legally-changed-his-name-to-frank-ocean, The Fader, April 23, 2015, (born Christopher Edwin Breaux; October 28, 1987) is an American singer, songwriter, and rapper. His early works are credited by some music critics for pioneering the alternative R&B genre.WEB, Why Frank Ocean is a musical icon,www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/frank-ocean-albums, British GQ, April 24, 2017, en-GB, May 25, 2020, JOURNAL, European Journal of Cultural Studies, 18, 3, May 2014, Dhaenens, Frederik, De Ridder, Sander,www.researchgate.net/publication/273597609, Resistant masculinities in alternative R&B? Understanding Frank Ocean and The Weeknd’s representations of gender, ResearchGate, August 12, 2020, Ocean has won two Grammy Awards and a Brit Award for International Male Solo Artist among other accolades, and his two studio albums have been listed on Rolling Stone{{’}}s “500 Greatest Albums of All Time” (2020).Ocean began his musical career as a ghostwriter, prior to joining the hip hop collective Odd Future in 2010. The following year, he released his first mixtape, Nostalgia, Ultra, and subsequently secured a recording contract with Def Jam Recordings. His first studio album, the eclectic Channel Orange (2012), incorporated R&B and soul styles. At the 2013 Grammy Awards, Channel Orange was nominated for Album of the Year and won Best Urban Contemporary Album; one of its singles, “Thinkin Bout You”, was nominated for Record of the Year. He was named by Time as one of the world’s most influential people in 2013.After a four-year hiatus, Ocean released a visual album titled Endless in 2016 to fulfill contractual obligations with Def Jam. Ocean self-released his second studio album, Blonde, a day after Endless{{’s}} release. Blonde expanded on Ocean’s experimental musical approach and ranked first on Pitchfork{{’s}} list of the best albums of the 2010s decade. It was his first number-one album on the US Billboard 200 and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). From 2017 onwards, Ocean has released sporadic singles, worked as a photographer for magazines, launched the fashion brand Homer, and started Homer Radio. Ocean has charted 14 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 over the course of his career.MAGAZINE, Frank Ocean {{!, Biography, Music & News |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/frank-ocean/ |access-date=2024-02-19 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}

Early life

Ocean was born Christopher Edwin Breaux on October 28, 1987,WEB,www.wmagazine.com/story/frank-ocean-cover-story-interview, Frank Ocean Makes Moves Like Nobody Else, Solway, Diane, September 30, 2019, W (magazine), W, March 16, 2021, WEB, May 19, 2020, Frank Ocean,www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/frank-ocean/15669, November 9, 2020, GRAMMY.com, en, in Long Beach, California.WEB,www.gq.com/story/frank-ocean-interview-gq-december-2012, Frank Ocean: On Channel Orange, Meeting Odd Future, and His Tumblr Letter, Wallace, Amy, November 20, 2012, GQ, November 11, 2019, His father is Calvin Edward CookseyWEB, Uko, Precious, 2022-09-12, All about Frank Ocean’s marriage, wife, boyfriends, kids,dnbstories.com/2022/09/about-frank-ocean-marriage-wife-boyfriends-kids.html, 2023-03-09, DNB Stories Africa, en-US, and was a singer and keyboardist, and his mother is Katonya Breaux Riley who later worked as a residential contractor. He was raised by his mother after his parents divorced when he was six years old. He also had a younger brother named Ryan Breaux who died in a car accident in 2020. When he was five years old, he and his family relocated to the New Orleans area.WEB,www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOVrXdCWIuU, Frank Ocean: BBC News Interview – BBC Sound of 2012, BBC, January 11, 2012, July 18, 2012, He was raised Christian, including a brief time as a practicing Catholic.WEB, Ocean, Frank, post,frankocean.tumblr.com/post/1172106468/i-was-raised-christian-only-had-a-few-friends, 2023-01-04, Frank Ocean, Ocean’s grandfather Lionel McGruder Jr. was a father figure for Ocean after his father left the family. Lionel was a recovering drug addict and later served as a mentor at Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings. He would take Ocean to these meetings, which was the inspiration behind Ocean’s song “Crack Rock” from Channel Orange. He also gave him the nickname Lonny, which Frank Ocean still uses today. He died in 2010 and Frank Ocean dedicated a song to him called “There Will Be Tears” on his mixtape Nostalgia, Ultra.WEB, 2018-03-28, Frank Before the Ocean: The Story of Lonny Breaux,centralsauce.com/lonny-breaux-frank-ocean, 2023-03-09, CentralSauce Collective, en-US, He also mentioned him on his 2017 single “Lens”.After graduating from John Ehret High School in Marrero, Louisiana in 2005, Ocean enrolled in the University of New Orleans to study English.WEB,1079ishot.com/frank-ocean-university-louisiana-lafayette/, Frank Ocean Attended UL Lafayette In The Fall of 2005, But Somehow No One Really Noticed, Townsquare Media, June 27, 2013, WEB, February 7, 2013, Frank Ocean Can Fly, Himmelman, Jeff, The New York Times,www.nytimes.com/2013/02/10/magazine/frank-ocean-can-fly.html, August 18, 2013, However, Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans in August 2005, destroying his home and personal recording facility and forcing him to transfer to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.NEWS, Youngs, Ian, Sound of 2012: Frank Ocean,www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-16390456, BBC. BBC Online, July 6, 2012, May 1, 2012, He stayed there for a brief time before dropping out to focus on his music career.

Career

Nostalgia, Ultra“>

2006–2011: Career beginnings, Odd Future and Nostalgia, Ultra

In 2006, Ocean moved to Los Angeles to pursue his music career, working at various fast-food and service jobs to support himself. In less than three years, he established himself as a songwriter under the name Lonny Breaux,WEB, An oral history of Frank Ocean’s former songwriting alias, Lonny…,theface.com/music/lonny-breaux-frank-ocean-songwriting-midi-mafia-oral-history, 2021-09-16, The Face, March 4, 2020, en-gb, getting the first name ‘Lonny’ after his grandfather named Lionel, whom Ocean hung out with often in his childhood.WEB, Ellis, Lisa, What High School Did Frank Ocean Go To?, May 25, 2021,celebanswers.com/what-high-school-did-frank-ocean-go-to/#:~:text=According%20to%20his%20family%2C%20Frank%20was%20so%20much,was%20a%20member%20and%20sponsor%20of%20both%20groups., After getting a songwriting deal, Ocean wrote songs for artists including Justin Bieber, Beyonce, John Legend, and Brandy.MAGAZINE,www.complex.com/music/2011/03/frank-ocean-in-the-studio-with-beyonce, Frank Ocean in the Studio with Beyoncé, Complex, April 28, 2011, Ocean later said of his work at the time, “There was a point where I was composing for other people, and it might have been comfy to continue to do that and enjoy that income stream and the anonymity. But that’s not why I moved away from school and away from family.“WEB,www.rap-up.com/2011/04/23/nas-hits-the-studio-with-frank-ocean/, Nas Hits the Studio with Frank Ocean, Rap-Up.com, April 23, 2011, April 28, 2011, WEB, Markman, Rob,www.mtv.com/news/articles/1664025/nas-frank-ocean-odd-future.jhtml, Nas Calls Odd Future’s Frank Ocean ‘New, Fresh’ – Music, Celebrity, Artist News, MTV, April 29, 2011, May 20, 2011, MAGAZINE, Horowitz, Steven, Pharrell in the Studio With OFWGKTA’s Frank Ocean,www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.14912/title.pharrell-in-the-studio-with-ofwgktas-frank-ocean/, Hip Hop DX, May 3, 2011, May 2, 2011,www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.14912/title.pharrell-in-the-studio-with-ofwgktas-frank-ocean," title="web.archive.org/web/20110503221025www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.14912/title.pharrell-in-the-studio-with-ofwgktas-frank-ocean,">web.archive.org/web/20110503221025www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.14912/title.pharrell-in-the-studio-with-ofwgktas-frank-ocean, May 3, 2011, dead, He adopted the stage name Frank Ocean, getting the name from Frank Sinatra and the 1960s film Ocean’s 11, which Sinatra starred in.WEB, How did Frank Ocean Get out of contract?,themoney.co/how-did-frank-ocean-get-out-of-contract/#:~:text=How%20did%20Frank%20Ocean%20get%20his%20name%3F%20The,his%20name%20to%20Christopher%20Francis%20Ocean%20in%202010., The Money, March 6, 2022, WEB, Why Frank Ocean’s Changed His Name,www.bustle.com/articles/179577-why-did-frank-ocean-change-his-name-it-was-an-empowering-choice-for-the-singer, Bustle, August 19, 2016, Soon after, he joined Los Angeles-based hip hop collective Odd Future, whom he had met in 2009. His friendship with Odd Future member Tyler, the Creator reinvigorated Ocean’s songwriting. In late 2009, he met Tricky Stewart, who helped him sign a writing contract with Def Jam Recordings.NEWS, Fennessey, Sean, Love vs. Money: The Weeknd, Frank Ocean, and R&B’s Future Shock,blogs.villagevoice.com/music/2011/03/the_weeknd_frank_ocean.php, The Village Voice, April 28, 2011, March 23, 2011, dead,blogs.villagevoice.com/music/2011/03/the_weeknd_frank_ocean.php," title="web.archive.org/web/20110512013253blogs.villagevoice.com/music/2011/03/the_weeknd_frank_ocean.php,">web.archive.org/web/20110512013253blogs.villagevoice.com/music/2011/03/the_weeknd_frank_ocean.php, May 12, 2011, WEB, Meatto, Keith, Swimming with Frank Ocean – A review of Nostalgia, ULTRA,frontpsych.com/2011/03/15/swimming-with-frank-ocean-a-review-of-nostalgia-ultra/, FrontPsych.com, April 28, 2011, March 15, 2011, dead,frontpsych.com/2011/03/15/swimming-with-frank-ocean-a-review-of-nostalgia-ultra/," title="web.archive.org/web/20110409211904frontpsych.com/2011/03/15/swimming-with-frank-ocean-a-review-of-nostalgia-ultra/,">web.archive.org/web/20110409211904frontpsych.com/2011/03/15/swimming-with-frank-ocean-a-review-of-nostalgia-ultra/, April 9, 2011, Ocean felt neglected by the label, and began working on a mixtape on his own without their input. On February 16, 2011, Ocean self-released the resulting mixtape, Nostalgia, Ultra online for free. The mixtape received critical acclaim.MAGAZINE, Baker, Ernest, In His Own Words: Who is Frank Ocean?,www.complex.com/music/2011/03/who-is-frank-ocean, Complex (magazine), Complex Magazine, April 28, 2011, March 18, 2011, The mixtape focuses on interpersonal relationships, personal reflection and social commentary. NPR’s Andrew Noz said Ocean’s songwriting is “smart and subtle...setting him apart from the pack”.WEB, Noz, Andrew, Frank Ocean: Smart And Subtle R&B Songwriting,www.npr.org/2011/04/21/135514908/frank-ocean-smart-and-subtle-r-b-songwriting?ps=cprs, NPR, April 28, 2011, April 21, 2011, Rolling Stone magazine’s Jonah Weiner wrote that Ocean was a “gifted avant-R&B smoothie”.MAGAZINE, Jonah Weiner,www.rollingstone.com/music/news/the-new-wu-tang-clan-odd-future-20110505, The New Wu-Tang Clan: Odd Future | Rolling Stone Music, Rollingstone.com, April 28, 2011, May 7, 2011, (File:Frank Ocean December 2011 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Ocean in 2011)In April 2011, Ocean stated that his relationship with Def Jam had strengthened since the release of the Nostalgia, Ultra.WEB, Nadeska Alexis,www.blackbookmag.com/article/odd-future-frank-ocean-does-not-make-rb/25615, Odd Future’s Frank Ocean Does Not Make R&B – BlackBook, Blackbookmag.com, April 21, 2011, April 28, 2011,www.blackbookmag.com/article/odd-future-frank-ocean-does-not-make-rb/25615," title="web.archive.org/web/20110429194228www.blackbookmag.com/article/odd-future-frank-ocean-does-not-make-rb/25615,">web.archive.org/web/20110429194228www.blackbookmag.com/article/odd-future-frank-ocean-does-not-make-rb/25615, April 29, 2011, dead, The mixtape made Ocean widely known and led to his collaborations with rappers Jay-Z and Kanye West.Ocean first appeared in Tyler, the Creator’s music video for the single “She”, from Tyler’s debut studio album Goblin (2011).MAGAZINE,www.thesource.com/blog/post/62148/BTS%3A-Tyler,-The-Creator-x-Frank-Ocean---’She’?thesource-prod=hccgqibtvdq8gn4l8p7t0kk1o1,www.thesource.com/blog/post/62148/BTS:-Tyler,-The-Creator-x-Frank-Ocean---’She’?thesource-prod=hccgqibtvdq8gn4l8p7t0kk1o1," title="archive.today/20120913160223www.thesource.com/blog/post/62148/BTS:-Tyler,-The-Creator-x-Frank-Ocean---’She’?thesource-prod=hccgqibtvdq8gn4l8p7t0kk1o1,">archive.today/20120913160223www.thesource.com/blog/post/62148/BTS:-Tyler,-The-Creator-x-Frank-Ocean---’She’?thesource-prod=hccgqibtvdq8gn4l8p7t0kk1o1, dead, September 13, 2012, BTS: Tyler The Creator x Frank Ocean – ‘She’, The Source, April 28, 2011, WEB,www.rap-up.com/2011/04/25/on-set-of-tyler-the-creator-and-frank-oceans-she-video/, On Set of Tyler, the Creator and Frank Ocean’s ‘She’ Video, Rap-Up.com, October 18, 2010, April 28, 2011, His first performance was in collaboration with Odd Future at the 2011 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, where he later joined them for their first tour across the east coast of the United States.WEB,www.islanddefjam.com/artist/news_single.aspx?nid=9242&artistID=7449, Frank Ocean Joining Odd Future For East Coast Tour! | News | Frank Ocean | Artists | Def Jam, Island Def Jam, April 27, 2011, May 7, 2011, On May 19, 2011, Ocean’s record label Def Jam announced its plans to re-release Nostalgia, Ultra as an EP.MAGAZINE,www.thesource.com/blog/post/66144/Def-Jam-To-Rerelease-Frank-Ocean’s-’Nostaliga,-Ultra’-?thesource-prod=0rsckmvoqv0nblobdjufug70k1,www.thesource.com/blog/post/66144/Def-Jam-To-Rerelease-Frank-Ocean’s-’Nostaliga,-Ultra’-?thesource-prod=0rsckmvoqv0nblobdjufug70k1," title="archive.today/20121209082708www.thesource.com/blog/post/66144/Def-Jam-To-Rerelease-Frank-Ocean’s-’Nostaliga,-Ultra’-?thesource-prod=0rsckmvoqv0nblobdjufug70k1,">archive.today/20121209082708www.thesource.com/blog/post/66144/Def-Jam-To-Rerelease-Frank-Ocean’s-’Nostaliga,-Ultra’-?thesource-prod=0rsckmvoqv0nblobdjufug70k1, dead, December 9, 2012, Def Jam To Rerelease Frank Ocean’s ‘Nostaliga, Ultra’, The Source, May 20, 2011, The single “Novacane” was released to iTunes in May 2011, and the EP originally was set to be released the next month, but was delayed.WEB, Danielle Canada,hiphopwired.com/2011/05/19/frank-ocean-to-release-%E2%80%9Cnostalgia-ultra%E2%80%9D-mixtape-in-stores/, Frank Ocean To Release “Nostalgia, Ultra” Mixtape in Stores, Hiphopwired.com, May 20, 2011,hiphopwired.com/2011/05/19/frank-ocean-to-release-%E2%80%9Cnostalgia-ultra%E2%80%9D-mixtape-in-stores/," title="web.archive.org/web/20120814224507hiphopwired.com/2011/05/19/frank-ocean-to-release-%E2%80%9Cnostalgia-ultra%E2%80%9D-mixtape-in-stores/,">web.archive.org/web/20120814224507hiphopwired.com/2011/05/19/frank-ocean-to-release-%E2%80%9Cnostalgia-ultra%E2%80%9D-mixtape-in-stores/, August 14, 2012, live, WEB,frankocean.tumblr.com/post/8079765446/is-nostalgia-lite-still-dropping-7-26-ily/, Is nostalgia LITE still dropping 7/26?, July 24, 2011, August 7, 2011, March 18, 2015,frankocean.tumblr.com/post/8079765446/is-nostalgia-lite-still-dropping-7-26-ily," title="web.archive.org/web/20150318062825frankocean.tumblr.com/post/8079765446/is-nostalgia-lite-still-dropping-7-26-ily,">web.archive.org/web/20150318062825frankocean.tumblr.com/post/8079765446/is-nostalgia-lite-still-dropping-7-26-ily, dead, In June 2011, Ocean revealed that he would work on the upcoming Kanye West and Jay-Z collaborative album, Watch the Throne.MAGAZINE, Mark Iraheta,www.complex.com/music/2011/06/frank-ocean-to-work-with-kanye-west-jay-z-on-watch-the-throne, Frank Ocean to Work With Kanye West & Jay-Z on “Watch The Throne”, Complex, June 11, 2011, June 11, 2011, Ocean co-wrote and featured on two tracks: “No Church in the Wild” and “Made in America”.WEB,www.rap-up.com/2011/07/18/watch-the-throne-production-credits-revealed/, ‘Watch the Throne’ Production Credits Revealed, Rap-Up.com, July 18, 2011, August 18, 2011, On July 28, 2011, a song titled “Thinkin Bout You”, leaked on the internet.WEB,blog.thenext2shine.com/mp3-bridget-kelly-thinking-about-forever, MP3: Bridget Kelly – Thinking About Forever – TheNext2Shine:Exclusive RNB Music Downloads, Blog.thenext2shine.com, October 5, 2011, dead,blog.thenext2shine.com/mp3-bridget-kelly-thinking-about-forever," title="web.archive.org/web/20110810134507blog.thenext2shine.com/mp3-bridget-kelly-thinking-about-forever,">web.archive.org/web/20110810134507blog.thenext2shine.com/mp3-bridget-kelly-thinking-about-forever, August 10, 2011, It was later revealed the song was a reference track, written by Ocean, for Roc Nation artist Bridget Kelly’s debut studio album.WEB,www.2dopeboyz.com/2011/07/29/bridget-kelly-thinking-about-forever/, ‘Bridget Kelly – Thinking About Forever, 2DopeBoyz.com, September 15, 2011, September 15, 2011, Kelly renamed the song ‘Thinking About Forever’.WEB,www.2dopeboyz.com/2011/08/17/bridget-kelly-thinking-about-forever-acoustic-video/, Bridget Kelly – Thinking About Forever (Acoustic Video), 2DopeBoyz.com, September 15, 2011, September 15, 2011, In September 2011, a music video directed by High5Collective for Ocean’s version was released, yet the song still appeared on Kelly’s debut EP Every Girl.WEB,www.2dopeboyz.com/2011/09/15/frank-ocean-thinking-of-you-video/, Frank Ocean – Thinking of You (Video), 2DopeBoyz.com, September 15, 2011, September 15, 2011, In August 2011, Frank Ocean made his first appearance on the cover of the publication The Fader, in its 75th issue.MAGAZINE Channel Orange“>

2012–2013: Channel Orange

File:Tyler the Creator and Frank Ocean Coachella 2012.jpg|thumb|right|Ocean (right) with Tyler, the Creator at Coachella in April 2012]]Ocean released the cover art for his debut studio album’s lead single, titled “Thinkin Bout You”, revealing the song would be released to digital retailers on April 10, 2012.MAGAZINE,www.rap-up.com/2012/04/05/single-cover-frank-ocean-thinkin-bout-you/, SINGLE COVER: FRANK OCEAN – ‘THINKIN BOUT YOU’, Rap-Up, April 5, 2012, April 9, 2012, However, a month earlier, a re-mastered version of the song had already leaked.WEB,cloudmusiq.com/?p=14148, Frank Ocean – Thinking About You, cloudmusiq.com, March 8, 2012, March 8, 2012, About the prospective single he said: “It succinctly defines me as an artist for where I am right now and that was the aim,” he said of the follow-up to his acclaimed Nostalgia, Ultra. “It’s about the stories. If I write 14 stories that I love, then the next step is to get the environment of music around it to best envelop the story and all kinds of sonic goodness.” }}In 2012, Ocean released his debut studio album Channel Orange to universal acclaim from critics, who later named it the best album of the year in the HMV’s Poll of Polls. It also earned Ocean six Grammy Award nominations and was credited by some writers for moving the R&B genre in a different, more challenging direction. Considered as Ocean’s first commercial release on a traditional record label, Channel Orange featured unconventional songs that were noted for their storytelling and social commentary, and a dense musical fusion that drew on jazz, soul, and R&B. Funk and electronic music also influenced his album. The songs about unrequited love in particular received the most attention, partly because of Ocean’s announcement prior to the album’s release, when he revealed that his first love was a man. The announcement made global headlines, and some critics compared its cultural impact to when David Bowie revealed that he was bisexual in 1972.NEWS, Johnson, Andrew, December 17, 2012,www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/frank-ocean-records-another-first-as-channel-orange-is-named-album-of-the-year-8421123.html, Frank Ocean records another first as Channel Orange is named album of the year, The Independent, London, December 17, 2012,www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/frank-ocean-records-another-first-as-channel-orange-is-named-album-of-the-year-8421123.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20131214144802www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/frank-ocean-records-another-first-as-channel-orange-is-named-album-of-the-year-8421123.html,">web.archive.org/web/20131214144802www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/frank-ocean-records-another-first-as-channel-orange-is-named-album-of-the-year-8421123.html, December 14, 2013, live, File:Frank Ocean Coachella 2012 3.jpg|thumb|Ocean performing at Coachella 2012]]Channel Orange debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 and sold 131,000 copies in its first week. The majority of its first-week sales were digital copies from iTunes, while approximately 3,000 of the sales were physical copies.MAGAZINE, Caulfield, Keith, July 18, 2012,www.billboard.com/articles/news/481282/zac-brown-band-frank-ocean-debut-at-nos-1-2-on-billboard-200, Zac Brown Band, Frank Ocean Debut at Nos. 1 & 2 on Billboard 200, Billboard, July 18, 2012,www.webcitation.org/6AfD79dDQ?url=http://m.billboard.com/v/News/ZacBrownBandFrank/?p=0&KSID=ad102a113cf37fe3c8620e8cc7ba2906&ints_viewed=1, September 14, 2012, live, On January 30, Channel Orange was certified gold by the RIAA. By September 2014, it had sold 621,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.MAGAZINE, Hampp, Andrew, September 12, 2014,www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/6251321/frank-ocean-nabs-three-six-zeros-mark-gillespie-as-manager-ahead-of-new, Frank Ocean Nabs Three Six Zero’s Mark Gillespie as Manager Ahead of New Album, Billboard, September 15, 2014,www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/6251321/frank-ocean-nabs-three-six-zeros-mark-gillespie-as-manager-ahead-of-new," title="web.archive.org/web/20140917010852www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/6251321/frank-ocean-nabs-three-six-zeros-mark-gillespie-as-manager-ahead-of-new,">web.archive.org/web/20140917010852www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/6251321/frank-ocean-nabs-three-six-zeros-mark-gillespie-as-manager-ahead-of-new, September 17, 2014, live, Ocean promoted the album with his 2012 Summer Tour, which featured final appearances at the Coachella and Lollapalooza festivals.Frank Ocean’s Summer Tour Sold Out BET. July 11, 2012,. At the 2013 Brit Awards, Ocean won the Brit Award for International Male Solo Artist. On May 28, 2013, Ocean announced the You’re Not Dead ... 2013 Tour; a fourteen-date European and Canadian tour that began on June 16, 2013, in Munich. He had been scheduled to perform at the first night of OVO Fest on August 4, 2013; however he was forced to cancel his appearance due to a small vocal cord injury. The first night of the music festival was subsequently cancelled and James Blake was booked to appear during the second night as Ocean’s replacement.WEB, May 29, 2013,www.vibe.com/article/frank-ocean-announces-youre-not-dead-2013-tour, Frank Ocean Announces You’re Not Dead... 2013 Tour, Vibe, July 19, 2013, WEB,www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/07/30/frank-ocean-cancels-ovo-fest-osheaga_n_3676666.html, Frank Ocean Cancels OVO Fest, Osheaga Dates Due To Vocal Cord Injury, Huffingtonpost.ca, July 30, 2013, February 23, 2014, Ocean appeared on John Mayer’s album Paradise Valley, as a featured artist on a song called “Wildfire”.WEB,pitchfork.com/news/51835-frank-ocean-is-on-john-mayers-new-album/, Frank Ocean Is on John Mayer’s New Album | News, Pitchfork, August 8, 2013, February 23, 2014, Endless and Blonde“>

2013–2016: Endless and Blonde

In February 2013, Ocean confirmed that he had started work on his second studio album, which he confirmed would be another concept album. He revealed that he was working with Tyler, the Creator, Pharrell Williams, and Danger Mouse on the record.WEB,perezhilton.com/2013-02-21-frank-ocean-new-album-details-collaborations, Frank Ocean’s Next Album Is On Its Way!, PerezHilton.com, February 21, 2013, June 16, 2013, September 19, 2018,web.archive.org/web/20180919121314/https://perezhilton.com/2013-02-21-frank-ocean-new-album-details-collaborations/, dead, He later stated that he was being influenced by The Beach Boys and The Beatles. He stated he was interested in collaborating with Tame Impala and King Krule and that he would record part of the album in Bora Bora.WEB,perezhilton.com/2013-04-26-frank-ocean-new-album-beatles-beach-boys-inspired, Frank Ocean Channeling Beatles & Beach Boys On Next Album!? Prepare Yourself For Eargasms!, PerezHilton.com, April 26, 2013, June 16, 2013, June 16, 2013,perezhilton.com/2013-04-26-frank-ocean-new-album-beatles-beach-boys-inspired," title="web.archive.org/web/20130616082015perezhilton.com/2013-04-26-frank-ocean-new-album-beatles-beach-boys-inspired,">web.archive.org/web/20130616082015perezhilton.com/2013-04-26-frank-ocean-new-album-beatles-beach-boys-inspired, dead, MAGAZINE,www.rollingstone.com/music/news/frank-ocean-like-10-11-songs-into-new-album-20130220, Frank Ocean ‘Like 10, 11 Songs’ Into New Album, Rolling Stone, February 20, 2013, June 16, 2013, On March 10, 2014, the song “Hero” was made available for free download on SoundCloud.WEB,soundcloud.com/conversemusic/hero, Frank Ocean + Mick Jones + Paul Simonon + Diplo - “HERO” on SoundCloud, The song is a collaboration with Mick Jones, Paul Simonon and Diplo and is a part of Converse’s Three Artists. One Song series.WEB,www.indieshuffle.com/frank-ocean-the-clash-diplo-hero/, Frank Ocean + The Clash + Diplo – Hero, indieshuffle.com, March 12, 2014, In April 2014, Ocean stated that his second album was nearly finished. In September 2014, critical success and musical awards enabled new management and representation for Ocean. Ocean signed with Mark Gilespie of Three Six Zero Entertainment.MAGAZINE,www.billboard.com/music/music-news/frank-ocean-nabs-three-six-zeros-mark-gillespie-as-manager-ahead-of-new-6251321/, Frank Ocean Nabs Three Six Zero’s Mark Gillespie as Manager Ahead of New Album, Billboard, 12 September 2014, In June, Billboard reported that the singer was working with a string of artists such as Happy Perez (whom he worked with on nostalgia, ULTRA), Charlie Gambetta and Kevin Ristro, while producers Hit-Boy, Rodney Jerkins and Danger Mouse were also said to be on board.WEB,dindindara.com/memrise-frank-ocean/, Memrise by Frank Ocean, dindindara, dead,dindindara.com/memrise-frank-ocean/," title="web.archive.org/web/20141205195054dindindara.com/memrise-frank-ocean/,">web.archive.org/web/20141205195054dindindara.com/memrise-frank-ocean/, December 5, 2014, MAGAZINE,www.billboard.com/articles/news/6251457/frank-ocean-new-management-three-six-zero, September 15, 2014, Andrew Hampp, Frank Ocean Signs to New Management With Three Six Zero, Billboard, On November 29, 2014, Ocean released a snippet of a new song supposedly from his upcoming follow-up to Channel Orange called “Memrise” on his official Tumblr page. The Guardian described the song as: “...a song which affirms that despite reportedly changing labels and management, he has maintained both his experimentation and sense of melancholy in the intervening years”.WEB,www.theguardian.com/music/2014/nov/28/frank-ocean-new-track-memrise, Listen to Frank Ocean’s new track Memrise, The Guardian, November 28, 2014, On April 6, 2015, Ocean announced that his follow-up to Channel Orange would be released in July. The album was ultimately not released in July, with no explanation given for its delay. The publication was rumoured to be called Boys Don’t Cry, and the album was slated to feature the aforementioned “Memrise”.WEB,www.theverge.com/2015/4/7/8358209/frank-ocean-new-album-release-date, Frank Ocean’s next album is coming in July, Sam Byford, Vox Media, The Verge, April 7, 2015, WEB,pitchfork.com/news/55642-frank-ocean-announces-new-record/, Frank Ocean Announces New Record, Pitchfork, April 6, 2015, WEB,www.theguardian.com/music/2015/apr/07/new-frank-ocean-album-due-in-july, New Frank Ocean album due in July, The Guardian, April 7, 2015, In February 2016, Ocean was featured on Kanye West’s album The Life of Pablo on the track “Wolves” along with Vic Mensa and Sia.Dee lockett, “What We Learned From Kanye West’s The Life of Pablo Debut”, Vulture, February 11, 2016. A month later, the song was re-edited by West, and Ocean’s part was separated and listed on the track list as its own song titled “Frank’s Track”.Rich McCormick, “Kanye West updates The Life of Pablo for the second time”,The Verge, March 15, 2016.In July 2016, he hinted at a possible second album with an image on his website pointing to a July release date.WEB,www.hotnewhiphop.com/frank-ocean-hints-at-sophomore-album-release-date-with-new-image-on-his-website-news.22617.html?, Frank Ocean throws hint of upcoming sophomore album, Smith, Trevor, July 2, 2016, Hotnewhiphop, July 2, 2016, The image shows a library card labeled Boys Don’t Cry with numerous stamps, implying various due dates. The dates begin with July 2, 2015, and conclude with July 2016. Ocean’s brother, Ryan Breaux, further suggested this release with an Instagram caption of the same library card photo reading “BOYS DON’T CRY #JULY2016”.By August 1, 2016, at approximately 3 am, an endless live stream shot in negative lighting in what is allegedly a Brooklyn warehouse,WEB,pigeonsandplanes.com/news/2016/08/frank-ocean-warehouse-found, Frank Ocean Fans Have Found the Warehouse in His Livestream, PigeonsandPlanes, August 16, 2016, August 25, 2016, sponsored by Apple Music began to surface on boysdontcry.co which appeared to show Ocean woodworking and sporadically playing instrumentals on loop. It later became clear that these instrumentals were from his upcoming visual album Endless; the full version is estimated to be 140 hours long.WEB, Schwartz, Danny,www.hotnewhiphop.com/the-full-version-of-frank-oceans-endless-video-is-140-hours-long-news.23621.html, The full version of endless is 140 hours long, August 22, 2016, Hotnewhiphop.com, August 25, 2016, That same day, many news outlets reported that August 5, 2016, could be the release date for Boys Don’t Cry.Ben Sisario and Joe Coscarelli, “Frank Ocean’s Long-Awaited Boys Don’t Cry Is Due on Friday”, The New York Times, August 1, 2016.Ryan Reed, “Frank Ocean to Release New Album Boys Don’t Cry This Week” {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002171041www.rollingstone.com/music/news/frank-ocean-to-release-new-album-boys-dont-cry-this-week-w432162 |date=October 2, 2017 }}, Rolling Stone, August 1, 2016. That date also turned out to be inaccurate, though in a Reddit AMA session, his collaborator Malay said that Ocean is a perfectionist, constantly tweaking things, and that his art cannot be rushed.WEB,www.mtv.com/news/2919634/frank-oceans-producer-malay-boys-dont-cry-delay/?xrs=_s.tw_main, Frank Ocean’s Producer Finally Addresses the Boys Don’t Cry delay, MTV, August 16, 2018, August 25, 2016, On August 18 and 19, 2016, the live stream was accompanied with music and at midnight an Apple Music link was directed to a project called Endless.MAGAZINE, Legaspi, Althea,www.rollingstone.com/music/news/watch-frank-oceans-endless-visual-album-stream-w435308, Frank Ocean Unveils Contemplative ‘Endless’ Visual Album Stream, Rolling Stone, August 19, 2016, August 25, 2016, Endless would be Ocean’s last album with Def Jam Recordings to fulfill his contract with the record label. Before the visual album’s release on Apple Music, Ocean had already begun making efforts to part ways with Def Jam, who signed the artist in 2009. He describes his negotiations with the label as a “seven-year chess game”, while adding that he had replaced many of his representatives (including his lawyer and manager) during the process, as well as having to buy back all of his master recordings that previously belonged to Def Jam.WEB,www.nytimes.com/2016/11/20/arts/music/frank-ocean-blonde-interview.html?_r=1, Frank Ocean Is Finally Free, Mystery Intact, Caramanica, Jon, Jon Caramanica, The New York Times, November 15, 2016, November 16, 2016, At midnight Pacific time on August 20, 2016, a music video for a song titled “Nikes” was uploaded to Ocean’s Connect page on Apple Music and later to his own website.TWEET, AppleMusic, Apple Music, 766890401462562816, August 20, 2016, Watch the world premiere of Frank Ocean’s #Nikes. Exclusively on Apple Music, Also on August 20, Ocean announced pop-up shops in Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, and London for his magazine Boys Don’t Cry, and released his second studio album Blonde to widespread acclaim. Blonde debuted at number one in several countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, and recorded sales of 232,000 copies (275,000 with album-equivalent units) in its first week. Rather than going on a typical promotional tour playing radio festivals and appearing on television shows, Ocean spent a month after the release of Blonde, traveling to countries such as China, Japan and France. He also chose not to submit Blonde for consideration at the Grammy Awards, stating “that institution certainly has nostalgic importance; it just doesn’t seem to be representing very well for people who come from where I come from, and hold down what I hold down.“NEWS,www.nytimes.com/2016/11/20/arts/music/frank-ocean-blonde-interview.html, Frank Ocean Is Finally Free, Mystery Intact, Caramanica, Jon, Jon Caramanica, November 15, 2016, The New York Times, December 10, 2016, live,www.nytimes.com/2016/11/20/arts/music/frank-ocean-blonde-interview.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20161210013537www.nytimes.com/2016/11/20/arts/music/frank-ocean-blonde-interview.html,">web.archive.org/web/20161210013537www.nytimes.com/2016/11/20/arts/music/frank-ocean-blonde-interview.html, December 10, 2016, Time ranked it as the best album of 2016 on its year-end list.MAGAZINE,time.com/collection-post/4577061/top-10-best-albums-2016/, The Top 10 Best Albums of 2016, Cox, Jamieson, TIME, December 4, 2017, Forbes estimated that Blonde earned Ocean nearly one million in profits after one week of availability, attributing this to him releasing the album independently and as a limited exclusive release on iTunes and Apple Music.WEB,www.forbes.com/sites/natalierobehmed/2016/08/30/frank-ocean-already-made-1-million-by-going-independent/#6bad64b52ada, Frank Ocean Already Made $1 Million By Going Independent, Robehmed, Natalie, Forbes, August 30, 2016, August 31, 2016, live,www.forbes.com/sites/natalierobehmed/2016/08/30/frank-ocean-already-made-1-million-by-going-independent/#6bad64b52ada," title="web.archive.org/web/20160830191758www.forbes.com/sites/natalierobehmed/2016/08/30/frank-ocean-already-made-1-million-by-going-independent/#6bad64b52ada,">web.archive.org/web/20160830191758www.forbes.com/sites/natalierobehmed/2016/08/30/frank-ocean-already-made-1-million-by-going-independent/#6bad64b52ada, August 30, 2016, On July 9, 2018, Blonde was certified platinum by the RIAA.WEB, Ellis, Stacy Ann,www.vibe.com/2018/07/frank-oceans-blonde-goes-platinum, Frank Ocean’s ‘Blonde’ Quietly Goes Platinum, Vibe, July 26, 2018, January 15, 2019, September 22, 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200922150120/https://www.vibe.com/2018/07/frank-oceans-blonde-goes-platinum, dead, Blonded Radio, singles and Homer“>

2017–present: Blonded Radio, singles and Homer

On February 21, 2017, Scottish DJ and producer Calvin Harris announced his single “Slide”, in which Ocean and hip-hop trio Migos were featured. The single was released two days later and is from Harris’ fifth studio album Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1. Ocean and Migos are credited with featured vocals and Ocean and Migos members, Quavo and Offset are credited songwriting, while production is handled by Harris. The other Migos member, Takeoff is not in the song. The song was released on February 23, 2017, and featured on the first episode of Ocean’s Beats 1 radio show, Blonded Radio. It is also Ocean’s first recorded collaboration since leaving Def Jam, with Ocean being listed in the liner notes as “appear[ing] courtesy of Frank Ocean”.TWEET, CalvinHarris, Calvin Harris, 834125638231404544, February 21, 2017, Calvin Harris Frank Ocean Migos, WEB,www.spin.com/2017/02/calvin-harris-frank-ocean-migos-slide/, Calvin Harris Reveals Details of Collaboration With Frank Ocean and Migos, Spin, February 21, 2017, WEB,www.nme.com/news/music/calvin-harris-reveals-details-frank-ocean-migos-collaboration-slide-1984580, Calvin Harris reveals details of Frank Ocean and Migos collaboration ‘Slide’, NME, February 21, 2017, The song went on to be certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America and became Ocean’s first top ten single on the Billboard Mainstream Top 40 chart, peaking at No. 9. On March 10, 2017, Ocean released a new single “Chanel” on the second episode of Blonded Radio, as well as playing an alternate version featuring American rapper ASAP Rocky. The song was his first solo effort to be released after Blonde and Endless in 2016.NEWS,www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/frank-ocean-chanel-new-music-beats-1-show-stream-blonde-endless-albums-a7624291.html, Frank Ocean drops new song ‘Chanel’ – his first solo music since Blonde and Endless, March 11, 2017, The Independent, March 21, 2017, On subsequent episodes of Blonded Radio in April, Ocean premiered “Biking” featuring Jay-Z and Tyler, the Creator, “Lens”, as well as an alternate version featuring Travis Scott, and a remix of Endless track “Slide On Me” featuring Young Thug. On May 15 Ocean was featured on ASAP Mob’s “Raf”, premiered on Blonded alongside a solo version of “Biking”. On August 28, Ocean released another single, “Provider”, on Blonded Radio.In October 2017, Ocean published a photo essay titled “New 17” to British magazine i-D. In the essay, Ocean said “If you liked two thousand and seventeen then you’ll love two thousand and eighteen”. In November 2017, Ocean hinted via Tumblr that his fifth project was complete.WEB,www.thefader.com/2017/11/27/frank-ocean-fifth-album, It seems like Frank Ocean has finished another album, Mikelle Street, November 27, 2017, November 28, 2017, Fader, However it is unknown when or if it will be released. Ocean’s voice appears in the video game Grand Theft Auto V, as he plays himself hosting an in-game radio station called Blonded Los Santos 97.8 FM.WEB,www.spin.com/2017/12/frank-ocean-grand-theft-auto-radio-station-blonded-los-santos/, Frank Ocean Now Has a Grand Theft Auto Radio Station, Spin, December 12, 2017, He also lent the songs “Provider”, “Ivy”, “Crack Rock”, “Chanel”, “Nights” and “Pretty Sweet” to the game, and sings the radio station jingles.On February 14, 2018, Ocean released “Moon River”, a cover of the song performed by Audrey Hepburn in the 1961 film, Breakfast at Tiffany’s. In May 2018, Ocean was featured on the tracks “Brotha Man” and “Purity” from ASAP Rocky’s third studio album Testing. In August 2018, Ocean featured on the song “Carousel” from Travis Scott’s third studio album Astroworld, which released on the same day. In September 2018, it was reported that Ocean took legal action against Scott through a cease and desist letter.WEB, Renshaw, David, Frank Ocean reportedly files cease and desist against Travis Scott over Astroworld vocals,www.thefader.com/2018/09/14/frank-ocean-travis-scott-astroworld-cease-desist, The Fader, Andy Cohn, October 17, 2019, Ocean later confirmed through a Tumblr post that the dispute was about social issues, not music, and had since been resolved between the two artists.WEB, Maicki, Salvatore, Frank Ocean says he and Travis Scott resolved “Carousel” dispute weeks ago,www.thefader.com/2018/09/14/frank-ocean-travis-scott-carousel-astroworld-cease-desist-tumblr, The Fader, September 15, 2018, Andy Cohn, October 17, 2019, On November 6, 2018, three midterm specials of Blonded Radio were aired throughout the day, in collation with the Midterm elections that were held in the US, as well as the release of new merchandise given to those with proof of voting for free in Houston, Atlanta, Miami, and Dallas.WEB,pitchfork.com/news/frank-ocean-giving-away-free-merch-to-voters/, Frank Ocean Giving Away Free Merch to Voters, Pitchfork, November 6, 2018, Noah Yoo, November 6, 2018, The shows themselves did not include any new songs by Ocean, but included various political discussions including a discussion about Ocean being an ‘openly queer’ black man in contemporary rap music.WEB,pitchfork.com/news/listen-to-frank-oceans-new-blonded-radio-episode/, Listen to Frank Ocean’s 3 New “blonded RADIO” Midterm Episodes, Pitchfork, November 6, 2018, Braudie Blais-Billie and Michelle Kim, November 6, 2018, On February 5, 2019, Ocean’s Tumblr account was hacked hinting info about more of Ocean’s material.WEB,pitchfork.com/news/frank-ocean-hints-at-new-music-in-mysterious-tumblr-posts/, Frank Ocean Tumblr Apparently Hacked, Sparks Doubt Over New Music Tease, Noah, Yoo, Pitchfork, February 5, 2019, The posts have since been deleted. On October 19, 2019, Ocean released a new song titled “DHL“WEB,pitchfork.com/news/frank-ocean-shares-new-song-dhl-listen/, Frank Ocean Shares New Song “DHL”: Listen, Pitchfork, October 19, 2019, en, October 20, 2019, on his Beats 1 radio show Blonded Radio and announced 7-inch vinyl singles of two new songs on his website titled “Dear April” and “Cayendo”,WEB,pitchfork.com/news/frank-ocean-previews-new-songs-dear-april-and-cayendo-listen/, Frank Ocean Previews New Songs “Dear April” and “Cayendo”: Listen, Sodomsky, Sam, Monroe, Jazz, October 19, 2019, Pitchfork, October 19, 2019, originally available only as physical singles featuring B-side remixes from Justice and Sango, respectively.WEB,www.complex.com/music/2019/10/frank-ocean-remix-sza-the-weekend-prep-plus-club-night, Hear Frank Ocean’s Remix of SZA’s “The Weekend” Played at PrEP+ Club Night, Complex, en, November 5, 2019, On November 1, 2019, Ocean followed up “DHL” with a new song titled “In My Room”, which was premiered on Blonded Radio,WEB,pitchfork.com/news/frank-ocean-drops-new-song-in-my-room/, Frank Ocean Drops New Song “In My Room”, Pitchfork, November 2, 2019, and soon after on November 3 posted online another vinyl single of a new song titled “Little Demon“WEB,www.stereogum.com/2063783/frank-ocean-little-demon-arca-remix-feat-skepta/music/, Frank Ocean – “Little Demon”, November 4, 2019, Stereogum, November 5, 2019, featuring a B-side remix by Arca.WEB,genius.com/a/frank-ocean-drops-his-latest-vinyl-single-little-demon-arca-remix, Frank Ocean Drops His Latest Vinyl Single “Little Demon (Arca Remix)”, Genius, en, November 5, 2019, However, on February 25, 2020, Ocean announced that he will replace “Little Demon” with an unreleased song which would be released on February 28, 2020.WEB,www.papermag.com/frank-ocean-little-demon-switch-2645286888.html, Frank Ocean Pulls the Ol’ Switcheroo, February 27, 2020, PAPER, The vinyl for “Little Demon” was canceled and refunds were provided.WEB, 2020-12-04, Frank Ocean Cancels Release of New Vinyl, Refunds Orders,pitchfork.com/news/frank-ocean-cancels-release-of-new-vinyl-refunds-orders/, 2021-08-11, Pitchfork, en-US, Ocean was set to headline at Coachella in October 2020.MAGAZINE,www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/rage-against-the-machine-travis-scott-frank-ocean-coachella-2020-headliners-lineup-933201/, Rage Against the Machine, Travis Scott, Frank Ocean to Headline Coachella 2020, Rolling Stone, January 3, 2020, WEB,www.cnn.com/2020/03/10/entertainment/coachella-postponed-coronavirus/index.html, Coachella to be postponed over coronavirus concerns, sources say, CNN, Chloe, Melas, Sandra, Gonzalez, March 10, 2020, March 10, 2020, Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival was initially postponed until October 9–11 and October 16–18, but in June, Riverside County public health officers announced it and Stagecoach had been cancelled altogether.WEB,www.spin.com/2020/06/coachella-2020-is-canceled/, Coachella 2020 Is Canceled, Spin (magazine), Spin, Daniel, Kohn, June 9, 2020, June 9, 2020, In August 2021, Coachella co-founder Paul Tollett confirmed that Ocean will headline the festival in 2023.WEB, Appleford, Steve, Exclusive: Frank Ocean to headline Coachella in 2023,www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2021-08-02/frank-ocean-coachella-2023-paul-tollett, Los Angeles Times, 8 August 2021, 2 August 2021, From March 25, 2020, Ocean’s website started shipping the vinyl singles for “Dear April” and “Cayendo”, as well as the previously released “In My Room”, although many reported later having issues in receiving vinyl orders or receiving refunds for canceled orders. Remixes of the two tracks had previously been teased during his club night DJ set PrEP+. The vinyl issues and exclusivity encouraged listeners to leak these two songs onto sites like Twitter and SoundCloud,WEB,dancingastronaut.com/2020/03/frank-ocean-releases-vinyl-exclusive-singles-dear-april-and-cayendo/, Frank Ocean releases vinyl-exclusive singles, ‘Dear April’ and ‘Cayendo’, March 31, 2020, Dancing Astronaut, en-US, April 2, 2020, and the two songs were officially released digitally on April 3.WEB,pitchfork.com/news/frank-ocean-releases-new-songs-dear-april-and-cayendo/, Frank Ocean Releases New Songs “Dear April” and “Cayendo”: Listen, Yoo, Noah, April 3, 2020, Pitchfork (website), Pitchfork, April 3, 2020, On August 8, 2021, Frank Ocean officially revealed his first fashion project, “Homer”, initially announced by the singer in a Financial Times interview.NEWS, O’Flaherty, Mark C., 2021-08-07, World exclusive: What Frank Ocean did next, Financial Times,www.ft.com/content/7eae6d13-072a-4ae3-89a4-642fbf337bb9, 2023-08-15, In a Q&A sent in the press release, Homer was simply stated as “an independent American luxury company founded by Frank Ocean”. In an Instagram story, Frank wrote: “This project has kept my mind moving and my imagination turning throughout it all. (...) My hope is to make things that last, that are hard to destroy, see it in stone. (...) This is 3 years in the making and there is so much I’m excited to share with all you strangers. Love”. The jewelry company, which has already collaborated with Prada,Homer X Prada Is Frank Ocean’s Full-Circle Momentwww.highsnobiety.com/p/frank-ocean-homer-prada-collaboration/ November 11, 2021 cites inspiration from “childhood obsessions” and “heritage as a fantasy”.On December 25, 2021, Ocean released a new 9-minute untitled song on his Beats 1 radio show Blonded Radio featuring music contribution from Cory Henry.WEB, Zhan, Jennifer, 2021-12-25, Frank Ocean Gifted Us Nearly 9 Minutes of Previously Unreleased Music,www.vulture.com/2021/12/frank-ocean-new-music-blonded-radio-christmas-episode.html, 2021-12-27, Vulture, en-us, In June 2022, it was announced that Ocean was in talks to direct his first feature film, with A24 producing.WEB, McCafferty, Kenna, 2022-06-03, Frank Ocean Is Directing an A24 Movie,www.papermag.com/frank-ocean-a24-movie-2657455442.html?rebelltitem=7#rebelltitem7, 2022-06-06, The Fader, en-us, In October, Ocean revealed Homer Radio, a weekly Apple Music 1 broadcast described as a window of what plays around their office after hours.MAGAZINE, Madarang, Charisma, 2022-10-29, Frank Ocean Unveils Apple Music 1 Show, ‘Homer Radio’, Rolling Stone, en-us,www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/frank-ocean-apple-music-homer-radio-1234620883/, 2023-04-19, On January 10, 2023, Coachella announced Ocean would be headlining the festival on April 16 and 23, his first live performances since 2017. Ocean began his set nearly an hour after his scheduled start time on April 16 and was forced to end the show early due to local curfew restrictions.WEB,uproxx.com/music/coachella-2023-frank-ocean-set-reactions-disaster/, Frank Ocean’s Highly Anticipated Coachella 2023 Performance Was A Disaster And Fans Are Beyond Upset, Rossignol, Derrick, Uproxx, April 17, 2023, April 17, 2023, en, WEB,www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2023/04/17/coachella-2023-frank-ocean-new-music-set-curfew/11680194002/, Frank Ocean forced to abruptly end his Coachella 2023 show due to local curfew, Coulter, Tom, Palm Springs Desert Sun, April 17, 2023, April 17, 2023, en, The performance was widely criticized by both fans and music critics, especially for not being live-streamed on YouTube, like most of the other performances from the festival. No professional photographers were allowed in the audience and no merchandise was available to fans.WEB,variety.com/2023/music/news/frank-ocean-coachella-aimless-wtf-headlining-set-1235585227/, Frank Ocean Jolts Coachella Festival With Aimless, WTF Headlining Set, Miller, Jeff, Variety, April 17, 2023, April 17, 2023, en, WEB,www.yahoo.com/entertainment/why-wasn-t-frank-ocean-095355808.html, Why Wasn’t Frank Ocean’s Coachella Performance Livestreamed? Fans React: ‘Rue the Day’, Stivale, Shelby, Yahoo!, April 17, 2023, April 17, 2023, en, WEB,www.yahoo.com/entertainment/frank-ocean-confounds-disappoints-brief-164054103.html, Frank Ocean confounds, disappoints with brief, baffling Coachella 2023 set: ‘Insulting to anyone who is a fan’, Yahoo!, Parker, Lyndsey, April 17, 2023, April 17, 2023, en, The effort Ocean gave to his performance was regarded as mediocre by many and disappointing for an artist that had not performed live music in six years.MAGAZINE, Blistein, Jon, 2023-04-17, ‘It’s Mid’: Fans React to Frank Ocean’s Controversial Coachella Set,www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/frank-ocean-fans-react-controversial-coachella-set-1234716235/, 2023-04-19, Rolling Stone, en-US, He would go on to cancel his appearance at the festival’s second weekend, citing a leg injury.WEB,pitchfork.com/news/frank-ocean-will-not-headline-coachella-2023s-second-week/, Frank Ocean Cancels Coachella 2023 Weekend 2 Headlining Set, Pitchfork, Bloom, Madison, Minsker, Evan, en, April 19, 2023, April 19, 2023,

Musical style

Ocean’s music has been characterized by music writers as idiosyncratic in style.NEWS, Petridis, Alexis, Alexis Petridis, July 11, 2012, Frank Ocean: Channel Orange – review, section G2, p. 21, The Guardian,www.theguardian.com/music/2012/jul/11/frank-ocean-channel-orange-review1?newsfeed=true, July 11, 2012, MAGAZINE, Locker, Melissa, July 10, 2012, Frank Ocean Pours His Heart Out on Channel Orange: Album Review,entertainment.time.com/2012/07/10/frank-ocean-channelorange-review/, Time (magazine), Time, July 11, 2012, MAGAZINE, Lipshutz, Jason, July 10, 2012, Frank Ocean, ‘Channel Orange’: Track-By-Track Review,www.billboard.com/articles/review/1066924/frank-ocean-channel-orange-track-by-track-review, Billboard, July 11, 2012, His music generally includes the electronic keyboard, often performed by Ocean himself, and is backed by a subdued rhythm section in the production.NEWS, Pareles, Jon, Jon Pareles, July 28, 2012,www.nytimes.com/2012/07/28/arts/music/frank-ocean-at-terminal-5.html?_r=1, Introspection Celebrated in a Crowd, The New York Times, C1, July 28, 2012, His compositions are often midtempo, feature unconventional melodies, and occasionally have an experimental song structure. In critical commentaries, he has been characterised as an “avant-garde R&B artist”,NEWS,www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2016/08/21/frank-ocean-released-a-new-album-heres-why-thats-such-a-big-deal, Frank Ocean released a new album. Here’s why that’s such a big deal., Izadi, Elahe, The Washington Post, August 21, 2016, June 10, 2018, and an “avant-soul singer”.MAGAZINE, Taylor, Tret, August 23, 2016,www.gq.com/story/frank-ocean-is-a-long-time-car-snob, Frank Ocean Is a Long-Time Car Snob, GQ, June 14, 2021, Steven Hyden called him “an introspective psych-soul balladeer”.WEB, Hyden, Steven, Steven Hyden, February 8, 2013,grantland.com/features/previewing-2013-grammys-pondering-mumford-sons-problem/, The Mumford Problem, Grantland.com, June 14, 2021, In Ocean’s songwriting, Jon Pareles of The New York Times observes “open echoes of self-guided, innovative R&B songwriters like Prince, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Maxwell, Erykah Badu and particularly R. Kelly and his way of writing melodies that hover between speech and song, asymmetrical and syncopated.” Jody Rosen of Rolling Stone calls him a torch singer due to “his feel for romantic tragedy, unfurling in slow-boiling ballads”.MAGAZINE, Rosen, Jody, Jody Rosen, July 13, 2012, Channel Orange,www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/channel-orange-20120713, Rolling Stone, July 13, 2012, Ocean’s stage presence during live shows has been described by Chris Richards of the Washington Post as “low-key”.NEWS, Richards, Chris, July 24, 2012, Frank Ocean at the 9:30 Club: Contemplative, confident, rewarding, The Washington Post,www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/frank-ocean-at-the-930-club-contemplative-confident-rewarding/2012/07/24/gJQAIQMt6W_story.html, July 27, 2012, NEWS, Kohn, Daniel, July 18, 2012, Frank Ocean – The Wiltern – 7/17/12, OC Weekly, Village Voice Media, Costa Mesa,blogs.ocweekly.com/heardmentality/2012/07/frank_ocean_-_the_wiltern_-_71.php, dead, July 27, 2012,blogs.ocweekly.com/heardmentality/2012/07/frank_ocean_-_the_wiltern_-_71.php," title="web.archive.org/web/20120920161730blogs.ocweekly.com/heardmentality/2012/07/frank_ocean_-_the_wiltern_-_71.php,">web.archive.org/web/20120920161730blogs.ocweekly.com/heardmentality/2012/07/frank_ocean_-_the_wiltern_-_71.php, September 20, 2012, WEB, Frank Ocean @ Terminal 5, NYC 7/26/12,stereogum.com/1105121/frank-ocean-terminal-5-nyc-72612/top-stories/lead-story/, Goble, Corban, July 27, 2012, Stereogum, Buzz Media, July 27, 2012, While nostalgia, ULTRA featured both original music by Ocean and tracks relying on sampled melodies,MAGAZINE, Lipshutz, Jason, July 6, 2012,www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/482043/frank-ocean-releases-sweet-life-song-announces-fallon-tv-debut, Frank Ocean Releases ‘Sweet Life’ Song, Announces ‘Fallon’ TV Debut, Billboard, July 27, 2012, Channel Orange showcased Ocean as the primary musical composer, of which music journalist Robert Christgau opines, “when he’s the sole composer Ocean resists making a show of himself—resists the dope hook, the smart tempo, the transcendent falsetto itself.“WEB, Christgau, Robert, Robert Christgau, July 20, 2012,social.entertainment.msn.com/music/blogs/expert-witness-blogpost.aspx?post=d66eaeae-f1da-49fe-9dd4-b968c1df0b10, Frank Ocean/Greenberger Greenberg Cebar, MSN Music. Microsoft, July 20, 2012, dead,social.entertainment.msn.com/music/blogs/expert-witness-blogpost.aspx?post=d66eaeae-f1da-49fe-9dd4-b968c1df0b10," title="web.archive.org/web/20120922180103social.entertainment.msn.com/music/blogs/expert-witness-blogpost.aspx?post=d66eaeae-f1da-49fe-9dd4-b968c1df0b10,">web.archive.org/web/20120922180103social.entertainment.msn.com/music/blogs/expert-witness-blogpost.aspx?post=d66eaeae-f1da-49fe-9dd4-b968c1df0b10, September 22, 2012, Ocean’s lyrics deal with themes of love, longing, misgiving, and nostalgia.WEB, Kellman, Andy,www.allmusic.com/album/nostalgia-ultra-mw0002120003, Nostalgia, Ultra – Frank Ocean, Allmusic. Rovi Corporation, July 28, 2012, His debut single “Novacane” juxtaposes the numbness and artificiality of a sexual relationship with that of mainstream radio, while “Voodoo” merges themes of spirituality and sexuality,JOURNAL, February 3, 2012,www.nme.com/reviews/frank-ocean/12694, NME Track Reviews – Frank Ocean – ‘Voodoo’, NME, July 28, 2012, and is an eccentric take on such subject matter common in R&B. The latter song was released by Ocean on his Tumblr account and references both the traditional spiritual “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” and the female anatomy in its chorus: “she’s got the whole wide world in her juicy fruit / he’s got the whole wide world in his pants / he wrapped the whole wide world in a wedding band / then put the whole wide world on her hands / she’s got the whole wide world in her hands / he’s got the whole wide world in his hands.“WEB, Hogan, Marc, January 30, 2012,www.spin.com/2012/01/hear-frank-oceans-odd-brief-rb-slow-jam-voodoo/, Hear Frank Ocean’s Odd, Brief R&B Slow Jam ‘Voodoo’, Spin (magazine), Spin, July 31, 2012, WEB, Ocean, Frank, January 2012,frankocean.tumblr.com/post/16668624161/darker-times-theyre-telling-boulder-heavy-lies, darker times they’re telling boulder heavy lies ..., Tumblr, July 31, 2012, According to Corbon Goble of Stereogum, the lyrical “moods” of “Voodoo” are indicative of Ocean’s “sometimes-bleak, depressive lyrical tendencies”,WEB, Goble, Corban, January 30, 2012,www.stereogum.com/935892/frank-ocean-voodoo/news/, Frank Ocean – ‘Voodoo’, Stereogum, October 23, 2021, while MTV News writer Tirhakah Love such songs are among Ocean’s most distinctive for how they transfigure the meaning behind short-term and long-term memory, and “disrupt the flow of linear time by prompting us to dive deep into our own memories and feel something indelibly real”.WEB, Love, Tirhakah, May 5, 2017,www.mtv.com/news/3009644/frank-ocean-memory-songwriting/, The Subtle Power Of Memory In Frank Ocean’s Music, MTV News, October 23, 2021, Certain songs on Channel Orange allude to Ocean’s experience with unrequited love.

Impact

Music critics have credited Ocean for pioneering alternative R&B, approaching R&B music differently to his contemporaries with an idiosyncratic style. Both Insider and The Wall Street Journal regarded Ocean as the most dominant artist of the 2010s decade.NEWS, Shah, Neil, August 5, 2019, How Frank Ocean Quietly Ruled the Decade, en-US, The Wall Street Journal,www.wsj.com/articles/how-frank-ocean-quietly-ruled-the-decade-11565011819, May 20, 2020, 0099-9660, WEB, Frank Ocean is the artist of the decade,www.insider.com/frank-ocean-artist-of-the-decade-2010s-2019-11, Ahlgrim, Callie, Insider, May 20, 2020, He was included in the 2013 edition of the Time{{’}}s list of the 100 most influential people in the worldMAGAZINE, Legend, John, April 18, 2013, Frank Ocean: The World’s 100 Most Influential People, en-US, Time,time100.time.com/2013/04/18/time-100/slide/frank-ocean/, April 8, 2020, 0040-781X, and the 2017 edition of the Forbes 30 Under 30.WEB, Frank Ocean,www.forbes.com/profile/frank-ocean/, Barton, ByMerrilee, Forbes, en, May 20, 2020, Andy Kellman of AllMusic wrote,Frank Ocean has been one of the more fascinating figures in contemporary music since his early-2010s arrival. A singer and songwriter whose artful output has defied rigid classification as R&B, he has nonetheless pushed that genre forward with seemingly offhanded yet imaginatively detailed narratives in which he has alternated between yearning romantic and easygoing braggart.WEB, Frank Ocean {{!, Biography & History|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/frank-ocean-mn0002592086/biography|website=AllMusic|language=en-us|access-date=2020-05-20}}Culture critic Nelson George asserts that, along with Miguel, Ocean has “staked out ground where [he is] not competing with those hit-driven [commercial R&B] acts” and is “cultivating a sound that balances adult concerns with a sense of young men trying to understand their own desires (an apt description of Ocean, particularly).“NEWS, For The Ladies: R. Kelly, Teddy Pendergrass And The State Of R And B,www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2012/10/17/163095398/for-the-ladies-r-kelly-teddy-pendergrass-and-the-state-of-r-b, October 18, 2012, NPR, October 24, 2012, Powers, Ann, Writing for Insider, Callie Ahlgrim said that Ocean “changed our very understanding of modern music”, and that he discusses themes like youth, innocence, lost love, loneliness, desire, and mortality in his music in a way that “feels fresh and extraordinary [and] makes the introspective sound universal and transcendent [which] is why he’s one of the defining artists of our time.” Jacob Shamsian of Business Insider said that Ocean “isn’t just one of the most important artists in pop, he’s one of the most important artists in all of music.“WEB, Meet Frank Ocean, the enigmatic musician whose new album is about to be everywhere,www.businessinsider.com/bio-of-musician-frank-ocean-rapper-of-boys-dont-cry-2016-8, Shamsian, Jacob, Business Insider, May 20, 2020, In a GQ article titled “Why Frank Ocean is a musical icon”, Jon Savage described Ocean as a “consummate contemporary artist in every sense who is immersed in new sonic possibilities, one who is deeply committed to artistic exploration in the most profound sense.” Savage praised Ocean for taking R&B to a “new level [through] constructing startling sound pictures that fit his lyrics.“WEB, Why Frank Ocean is a musical icon,www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/frank-ocean-albums, British GQ, April 24, 2017, en-GB, May 20, 2020, Pitchfork regarded Ocean as a “master of confessional songwriting, earning a cult-icon status with his enigmatic persona and idiosyncratic approach to pop.“WEB, Frank Ocean – Albums, Songs, and News,pitchfork.com/artists/29508-frank-ocean/, Pitchfork, en, May 20, 2020, In 2023, Rolling Stone ranked Ocean at number 190 on its list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time.MAGAZINE, The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time, Rolling Stone, 1 January 2023,www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-singers-all-time-1234642307/frank-ocean-12-1234642325/, 25 January 2023,

Photography

On August 20, 2016, Ocean released a 360-page magazine, Boys Don’t Cry, alongside his second album Blonde.MAGAZINE, Lesley, Jeremy, December 30, 2016,magculture.com/archive-boys-dont-cry/, Boys Don’t Cry Review, magCulture, The fashion and automobile-themed publication contains the photo projects from Wolfgang Tillmans, Viviane Sassen, Tyrone Lebon, Ren Hang, Harley Weir, Michael Mayren and Ocean himself.WEB,www.thefader.com/2016/08/23/frank-ocean-boys-dont-cry-magazine-complete-guide, The Complete Guide To What’s Inside Frank Ocean’s Magazine, The FADER, July 24, 2016, Four months later, British magazine Print published another photowork from Frank Ocean.NEWS,hypebeast.com/2017/1/print-issue-one, Frank Ocean’s Photos of the Met Gala, January 3, 2017, Hypebeast, On May 1, 2017, Ocean attended annual Met Gala as a special photographer for Vogue.NEWS,www.vogue.com/slideshow/frank-ocean-met-gala-2017-photos-kendall-jenner-asap-rocky, Frank Ocean’s Photos of the Met Gala, May 2, 2017, Vogue, On October 23, 2017, he made two covers and a visual essay for British fashion magazine, i-D.NEWS,i-d.vice.com/en_us/article/mb3jqv/exclusive-it-came-to-me-in-a-dream-frank-ocean-creates-a-visual-essay-and-pens-personal-letter, frank ocean creates a visual essay and pens personal letter, October 23, 2017, i-D,

Personal life

Family

Ocean’s younger brother, Ryan Breaux, was killed in a car crash on August 2, 2020, at the age of 18.WEB, August 2, 2020, Frank Ocean’s Younger Brother Ryan Breaux Reportedly Killed In Crash Alongside Classmate Ezekial Bishop,losangeles.cbslocal.com/2020/08/02/frank-ocean-brother-ryan-breaux-zeek-bishop-crash/, live,archive.today/20240125185723/https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/frank-ocean-brother-ryan-breaux-zeek-bishop-crash/, January 25, 2024, August 3, 2020, CBS News,

Sexual orientation

Ocean wrote an open letter, initially intended for the liner notes on Channel Orange, that preemptively addressed speculation about his attraction in the past to another man.NEWS, Frank Ocean Interview: Happy To Wake Up Without ‘This Freakin’ Boulder On My Chest’,instinctmagazine.com/blogs/blog/frank-ocean-interview-happy-to-wake-up-without-this-freakin-boulder-on-my-chest?directory=100011, August 19, 2012, Instinct Magazine, July 21, 2012, dead,instinctmagazine.com/blogs/blog/frank-ocean-interview-happy-to-wake-up-without-this-freakin-boulder-on-my-chest?directory=100011," title="web.archive.org/web/20120820105640instinctmagazine.com/blogs/blog/frank-ocean-interview-happy-to-wake-up-without-this-freakin-boulder-on-my-chest?directory=100011,">web.archive.org/web/20120820105640instinctmagazine.com/blogs/blog/frank-ocean-interview-happy-to-wake-up-without-this-freakin-boulder-on-my-chest?directory=100011, August 20, 2012, Instead, on July 4, 2012, he published the open letter on his Tumblr blogNEWS, Nicholson, Rebecca, Frank Ocean: the most talked-about man in music,www.theguardian.com/music/2012/jul/21/frank-ocean-guardian-exclusive-interview, August 19, 2012, The Guardian, July 20, 2012, London, recounting unrequited feelings he had for another young man when he was 19 years old, citing it as his first true love.WEB,frankocean.tumblr.com/post/26473798723, thank you’s, Frank Ocean, Tumblr, July 4, 2012, 25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6me6uSdO81qdrz3yo1_1280.png" title="wayback.archive-it.org/all/2012070822043725.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6me6uSdO81qdrz3yo1_1280.png">archived here. He used the blog to thank the man for his influence, and also thanked his mother and other friends, saying, “I don’t know what happens now, and that’s alright. I don’t have any secrets I need kept anymore... I feel like a free man.““Frank Ocean Opens Up About Sexuality” Billboard Magazine. July 4, 2012 www.billboard.com/column/the-juice/frank-ocean-opens-up-about-sexuality-1007495352.story" title="web.archive.org/web/20120705015557www.billboard.com/column/the-juice/frank-ocean-opens-up-about-sexuality-1007495352.story">archived here.

• Singer Frank Ocean Comes Out: ‘I Feel Like a Free Man’ Towleroad. July 4, 2012, www.towleroad.com/2012/07/singer-frank-ocean-comes-out-i-feel-like-a-free-man.html" title="web.archive.org/web/20120705020517www.towleroad.com/2012/07/singer-frank-ocean-comes-out-i-feel-like-a-free-man.html">archived here.
• “Frank Ocean, R&B Singer, Comes Out”, The Huffington Post. July 4, 2012.
• “Odd Future’s Frank Ocean Comes Out”, The Advocate. July 4, 2012.
• “R&B Singer Frank Ocean Reveals First Love was a Man”, ABC News. July 4, 2012.
• “Frank Ocean from Odd Future comes out”, Entertainment Weekly. July 4, 2012. Numerous celebrities publicly voiced their support for Ocean following his announcement, including Beyoncé and Jay-Z.WEB, Sepinwall, Alan,www.hitfix.com/immaculate-noise/beyonce-jay-z-support-frank-ocean-in-open-letters-singer-drops-sweet-life, Beyonce, Jay-Z support Frank Ocean in open letters; singer drops Sweet Life, Hitfix.com, July 9, 2012, July 14, 2014, WEB, Beyonce Applauds Frank Ocean for Coming Out, Carter Maness,rapfix.mtv.com/2012/07/09/frank-ocean-sexaulity-speaking-out-beyonce-applauds/, MTV, July 9, 2012, July 10, 2012, July 12, 2012,rapfix.mtv.com/2012/07/09/frank-ocean-sexaulity-speaking-out-beyonce-applauds," title="web.archive.org/web/20120712003239rapfix.mtv.com/2012/07/09/frank-ocean-sexaulity-speaking-out-beyonce-applauds,">web.archive.org/web/20120712003239rapfix.mtv.com/2012/07/09/frank-ocean-sexaulity-speaking-out-beyonce-applauds, dead, Members of the hip hop industry generally responded positively to the announcement.Frank Ocean’s Sexual Declaration: Will It Spark Change In Hip-Hop Community? {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120712070426rapfix.mtv.com/2012/07/07/frank-ocean-sexuality-effect-hip-hop-community/ |date=July 12, 2012 }} MTV. July 12, 2012,. Tyler, the Creator and other members of OFWGKTA tweeted their support for Ocean.NEWS,www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/b-singer-frank-ocean-odd-future-summer-romance-man-changed-life-article-1.1107779, R&B Singer Frank Ocean Comes Out, Chen, Joyce, NY Daily News, July 13, 2012, 2012-09-05,articles.nydailynews.com/2012-07-04/news/32540019_1_sexual-orientation-summer-love-frank-ocean," title="web.archive.org/web/20120905170300articles.nydailynews.com/2012-07-04/news/32540019_1_sexual-orientation-summer-love-frank-ocean,">web.archive.org/web/20120905170300articles.nydailynews.com/2012-07-04/news/32540019_1_sexual-orientation-summer-love-frank-ocean, live, Russell Simmons wrote a congratulatory article in Global Grind in which he said, “Today is a big day for hip-hop. It is a day that will define who we really are. How compassionate will we be? How loving can we be? How inclusive are we? [...] Your decision to go public about your sexual orientation gives hope and light to so many young people still living in fear.“WEB,globalgrind.com/entertainment/russell-simmons-letter-to-frank-ocean-gay-bi-sexual-comes-out-photos, The Courage of Frank Ocean Just Changed The Game!, Russell Simmons, July 4, 2012, Global Grind,globalgrind.com/entertainment/russell-simmons-letter-to-frank-ocean-gay-bi-sexual-comes-out-photos," title="web.archive.org/web/20130701134935globalgrind.com/entertainment/russell-simmons-letter-to-frank-ocean-gay-bi-sexual-comes-out-photos,">web.archive.org/web/20130701134935globalgrind.com/entertainment/russell-simmons-letter-to-frank-ocean-gay-bi-sexual-comes-out-photos, July 1, 2013, When asked if he considers himself bisexual in a 2012 interview, Ocean stated: “I’ll respectfully say that life is dynamic and comes along with dynamic experiences, and the same sentiment that I have towards genres of music, I have towards a lot of labels and boxes and shit.“WEB, Frank Ocean Speaks on His Coming Out Letter,www.complex.com/pigeons-and-planes/2012/11/frank-ocean-speaks-on-his-coming-out-letter, November 9, 2020, Complex, en,

In June 2016, following the Orlando nightclub shooting that killed 49 people, Ocean published an essay expressing his sadness and frustration.MAGAZINE,www.rollingstone.com/music/news/frank-ocean-on-orlando-shooting-many-hate-us-and-wish-we-didn-t-exist-20160621, Frank Ocean on Orlando Shooting: Many Hate Us and Wish We Didn’t Exist, Rolling Stone, June 21, 2016, February 15, 2017, He mentioned that his first experience with homophobia and transphobia was with his father when he was six years old, and related how many people pass on their hateful values to the next generation and send thousands of people down suicidal paths. In 2017, Ocean’s father subsequently sued him for defamation and requested $14.5 million.WEB,www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/frank-oceans-sued-by-his-own-father_us_5894b082e4b0c1284f259c13, Frank Ocean Sued By Father Over Tumblr Response To Orlando Shooting, The Huffington Post, February 3, 2017, February 15, 2017, On October 17, 2017, after a hearing that saw Ocean and both of his parents taking the stand, the presiding judge ruled in favor of Ocean, stating that his father had not provided sufficient evidence of defamation.MAGAZINE,www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8005890/frank-ocean-beats-libel-suit-father-145-million, Cherie Hu, Frank Ocean Beats Estranged Father’s $14.5 Million Libel Suit, Billboard, October 18, 2017, October 19, 2017,

Name changes

In a 2011 interview, Ocean stated that he had attempted to change his name to Christopher Francis Ocean through a legal website on his 23rd birthday. The change was reportedly partly inspired by the 1960 film Ocean’s 11.WEB, Shepherd, Julianne Escobedo, April 17, 2012,www.spin.com/2012/04/frank-ocean-has-cold/, Frank Ocean Has a Cold, Spin, July 14, 2012, In March 2014, it was reported that he was legally changing his name to Frank Ocean.WEB,www.tmz.com/2014/03/07/frank-ocean-name-change, Frank Ocean: I’m changing my name... To Frank Ocean, March 7, 2014, TMZ, July 3, 2018, In November 2014, it was revealed that the name change had not been legalized due to multiple speeding offenses.WEB,www.tmz.com/2014/11/10/frank-ocean-name-change-denied-traffic-tickets, Frank Ocean screwed out of name change after extreme speeding, November 10, 2014, TMZ, July 3, 2018, It was finally legalized on April 23, 2015.

Political views

Ocean has expressed solidarity with the people of the Gaza Strip during the ongoing Israel–Hamas war. He signed an October 2023 open letter of artists urging President Joe Biden to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.NEWS, Celebrities call for ceasefire, decry civilian deaths: Hollywood reacts to Israel-Hamas war,eu.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2023/10/16/israeli-palestinian-conflict-celebrity-reactions/71206600007/, USA Today, October 16, 2023,

Legal controversies

Ocean sampled The Eagles’ 1977 “Hotel California” on his track “American Wedding”, which was featured on his debut mixtape Nostalgia, Ultra. Ocean made no secret of the fact that he “loved Don Henley...the Eagles...and Joe Walsh’s immaculate guitar playing”.WEB, 2012-02-28, Don Henley Finally Threatens to Sue Frank Ocean for ‘American Wedding’,www.spin.com/2012/02/don-henley-finally-threatens-sue-frank-ocean-american-wedding/, 2022-03-25, SPIN, en-US, Although the track’s unveiling led to controversy, ultimately it was never commercially released and no legal action ensued.MAGAZINE, Sherman, Maria, 2012-03-01, The Eagles’ Rep Responds to Frank Ocean’s ‘Hotel California’ Sample,www.billboard.com/music/music-news/the-eagles-rep-responds-to-frank-oceans-hotel-california-sample-502954/, 2022-03-25, Billboard, en-US, It was noted that Ocean made no money off the track, with the artist himself stating that he was “paying homage” to The Eagles’ Don Henley with the release. “I didn’t make a dime off that song. I released it for free. If anything, I’m paying homage”.WEB, 2014-06-04, The Eagles’ Don Henley makes fresh attack on Frank Ocean for ‘song theft’,www.nme.com/news/music/the-eagles-12-1233413, 2022-03-25, NME, en-GB, On January 27, 2013, in the parking lot of a Los Angeles recording studio, an altercation occurred between Frank Ocean and Chris Brown. An incident report stated that Brown threw a punch at Ocean, after Ocean accused Brown of having taken his designated parking bay.WEB, 2013-02-05, More Details of Frank Ocean/Chris Brown Fight Emerge,pitchfork.com/news/49437-more-details-of-frank-oceanchris-brown-fight-emerge/, 2022-03-25, Pitchfork, en-US, Ocean’s cousin claimed that he was also attacked by a member of Brown’s entourage during the incident.MAGAZINE, Reed, Ryan, 2013-08-14, Chris Brown Sued Over Frank Ocean Studio Fight,www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/chris-brown-sued-over-frank-ocean-studio-brawl-244355/, 2022-03-25, Rolling Stone, en-US, Charges were dropped, with Ocean stating via Tumblr that he was choosing “Sanity. No criminal charges. No civil lawsuit”.WEB, Kaufman, Gil, Chris Brown And Frank Ocean Fight: Case Closed,www.mtv.com/news/1701395/chris-brown-frank-ocean-fight-no-charges/, 2022-03-25, MTV News, en, In March 2014, Ocean was set to perform a cover of the song “Pure Imagination” in a Chipotle Mexican Grill commercial which was due to promote responsible farming. Following a review of the final storyboard, Ocean’s legal team sent Chipotle a letter, explaining that he felt obliged to withdraw from the arrangement, noting that “When Frank was asked to participate in this project, Chipotle’s representatives told him that the thrust of the campaign was to promote responsible farming. There was no Chipotle reference or logo in the initial presentation, and Chipotle told Frank that was an intentional element of the campaign”.WEB, Frank Ocean is being sued by Chipotle,blonded.blog/news/frank-ocean-sued-by-chipotle, 2022-03-25, blonded.blog, March 7, 2014, en-US, Ocean effectively honoured the arrangement by repaying Chipotle via cashier’s check in the sum of $212,500.00.WEB, Weber, Lindsey, 2014-03-10, Frank Ocean Told Chipotle to ‘Fuck Off’,www.vulture.com/2014/03/frank-ocean-told-chipotle-to-fuck-off.html, 2022-03-25, Vulture, en-us, The commercial, titled “The Scarecrow”, was subsequently released with Fiona Apple performing the song.MAGAZINE, Newman, Jason, 2014-03-20, Frank Ocean Settles Chipotle Lawsuit,www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/frank-ocean-settles-chipotle-lawsuit-with-curse-free-check-244760/, 2022-03-25, Rolling Stone, en-US,

Awards and nominations

Discography

Studio albums

• Channel Orange (2012)
• Blonde (2016)

Mixtape

• Nostalgia, Ultra (2011)

Visual album

• Endless (2016)

Notes

{{notelist}}

References

{{reflist}}

Further reading

• JOURNAL, Wilson, Elliott, July 16, 2012,respect-mag.com/respect-online-exclusive-success-is-certain-elliott-wilson-interviews-frank-ocean/, Success Is Certain, RESPECT. (magazine), RESPECT., July 23, 2012,respect-mag.com/respect-online-exclusive-success-is-certain-elliott-wilson-interviews-frank-ocean/," title="web.archive.org/web/20120818113021respect-mag.com/respect-online-exclusive-success-is-certain-elliott-wilson-interviews-frank-ocean/,">web.archive.org/web/20120818113021respect-mag.com/respect-online-exclusive-success-is-certain-elliott-wilson-interviews-frank-ocean/, August 18, 2012, live, none,

External links

{{sisterlinks|d=Q357645|c=Category:Frank Ocean|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|s=no|species=no|wikt=no}}

• {{Official websitewww.blonded.co|Frank Ocean}} – official site
• {{Discogs artist}}
• {{SoundCloud|frank-ocean}}
• Frank Ocean “the most talked-about man in music” interview, Rebecca Nicholson, The Guardian, August 21, 2012
• Frank Ocean {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402205618www.gq.com/entertainment/music/201212/frank-ocean-interview-gq-december-2012 |date=April 2, 2015 }} “on Channel Orange, Meeting Odd Future, and His Tumblr Letter” interview, Amy Wallace, GQ, November 20, 2012

{{Frank Ocean|state=expanded}}{{NavboxesList of awards and nominations received by Frank Ocean>Awards for Frank Ocean|list = {{Brit International Male}}{{GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Music Artist}}{{Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance}}{{Grammy Award for Best Urban Contemporany Album}}}}{{OFWGKTA}}{{Authority control}}