See Frank Ocean – Tumblr blog for the full text written by Frank Ocean.įrank Ocean – channel ORANGE channel ORANGE
Not only by Def Jam, but also by many colleagues, musicians and Odd Future members. Ocean made himself vulnerable and was praised for it. The piece was unique within the world of hip-hop, which wasn’t used to these kinds of revelations. Due to the questions being asked, Ocean changed his plan and published the text on his Tumblr blog on July 4th, 2012. The initial plan was to publish the text as part of the booklet with channel ORANGE. In December 2011 Ocean had written a text addressing his feelings for a man as a 19 year old and labelling it his first true love. In June 2012 reporters started asking questions to lyrics of the upcoming channel ORANGE album, which they had already heard during ‘pre-release listening events’, but questions also arose regarding Ocean’s sexual preference (which is important when reviewing an album?). He co-wrote and sang on two songs off that album, which was hugefully successful. In June 2011 Ocean announced he would cooperate on the upcoming Kanye West / Jay-Z album Watch The Throne. The result, nostalgia,ULTRA., is a great introduction to Frank Ocean and was lauded by critics.Īnd, miraculously, the relationship with Def Jam improved considerably, when they realized Frank Ocean could really be a valuable asset to the label.
Ocean felt neglected and started work on a mixtape, which he paid for himself and independently released online on February 16th, 2011, for free. By the end of 2009 he signed a contract with Def Jam Recordings, but initially it was an unhappy marriage. Ocean joined the hip-hop collective Odd Future (which also held Earl Sweatshirt and Tyler, The Creator in its ranks).
He decided to change his name to Frank Ocean, a combination of Frank Sinatra’s name and the movie he played in in 1960, Ocean’s 11. But, if those songs worked for others, why not use them for himself? His songs were quite popular, and were used by big artists like Justin Bieber, Beyoncé, John Legend and Brandy. He quickly established his name under the moniker Lonny Breaux, composing and writing songs. In 2006 Breaux moved to Los Angeles to fulfill his big dream.