The Genius Of: Frank Ocean

Summary

The video script chronicles the inspiring story of Frank Ocean, a genius artist who has revolutionized alternative R&B with his experimental sound. It delves into his humble beginnings, his struggles with identity and sexuality, and his groundbreaking journey to fame. From his early days as a ghostwriter to his breakthrough with Nostalgia, Ultra and his critically acclaimed album Channel Orange, the script explores Ocean's resilience, artistic prowess, and his unwavering commitment to his craft. It also sheds light on his battles with record labels, legal disputes, and personal challenges, culminating in his ultimate triumph and creative freedom with his album Blonde. The script paints a vivid portrait of an artist who defied expectations and remained true to himself, leaving an indelible mark on the music industry.

Takeaways

• 🎵 Frank Ocean is a highly influential and unique artist in the music industry, with a style compared to legends like James Taylor, Al Green, Stevie Wonder, and Marvin Gaye.
• 🏆 He has won 2 Grammys and been nominated 7 times, with his experimental approach transforming alternative R&B and becoming a representative of the genre.
• ✍️ Born as Christopher Breaux, he had a challenging childhood, with his father leaving at a young age and being raised by his grandfather.
• 🎨 Early influences like Donna Summer, Jimi Hendrix, and The Beatles shaped his philosophy and passion for music during his teen years.
• 💿 His debut mixtape 'Nostalgia, Ultra' in 2011 received unprecedented applause and helped him gain a fanbase, despite legal issues with the label over sample clearances.
• 🌊 His 2012 album 'Channel Orange' transformed the industry with its experimental sound and made him a breakout success.
• 🏳️‍🌈 Frank Ocean came out as gay in a heartfelt letter in 2012, making him a hero and a significant figure in the LGBTQ+ community.
• ⚖️ He had a tumultuous relationship with his label Def Jam, who he felt exploited and underestimated him, leading to a complex 'chess game' to fulfill his contract and gain control over his masters.
• 🧠 Frank Ocean's music is not for everyone, as he embraces his unique style and doesn't aim for mainstream notoriety or cookie-cutter hit singles.
• 👑 Despite facing trials and tribulations, he overcame adversity, stayed true to himself, and made some of the most influential music of the 2010s, cementing his status as a bona fide genius.

Q & A

What is the significance of Frank Ocean's name change?

Frank Ocean changed his name from Christopher Breaux in 2006, taking inspiration from the character Danny 'Ocean' in the 1960s movie Ocean's 11. This name change marked a pivotal moment in his journey as an artist and helped shape his musical identity.

What were the challenges Frank Ocean faced with his record label Def Jam?

Frank Ocean faced several challenges with Def Jam, including them taking a massive percentage from the streaming numbers of his album 'Channel Orange', preventing him from making the full revenue he deserved. Additionally, Def Jam failed to clear the samples used in his first project 'Nostalgia, Ultra', which prevented him from profiting from its success.

How did Frank Ocean's sexuality impact his career?

In July 2012, Frank Ocean came out as gay, releasing a poetic essay documenting his experiences from ages 19 to 24. This revelation made him a hero in the eyes of many fans, as he had the courage to be open about his sexuality as a black, gay man in the music industry. However, it also led to confrontations like the physical altercation with Chris Brown, who allegedly used a homophobic slur during their fight.

What was the significance of Frank Ocean's album 'Endless'?

Frank Ocean's album 'Endless' was released in August 2016 as the final release to fulfill his contract with Def Jam. However, it was not a traditional album but rather a livestream that lasted over 5 days, showcasing Frank building a staircase in a Brooklyn warehouse, with snippets of 'Endless' playing in the background. This unconventional approach was intentionally designed to lower first-week sales and provide Def Jam with minimal returns, as a way for Frank to free himself from their grasp.

How did Frank Ocean's relationship with fame and the music industry evolve over time?

Initially, Frank Ocean was motivated by the idea of fame and wealth, but as his career progressed, he realized the downsides of fame and the manipulation tactics used by record labels. He became disillusioned with the industry and developed a more private persona, focusing on his craft and staying true to himself rather than seeking mainstream success. This shift in perspective influenced his music and artistic decisions.

What were some of the defining musical accomplishments and milestones in Frank Ocean's career?

Some of Frank Ocean's defining musical accomplishments and milestones include the breakout success of his debut mixtape 'Nostalgia, Ultra', winning two Grammy Awards and receiving seven nominations for his work, collaborating with artists like Beyoncé, Jay-Z, and Kanye West, and the commercial success of his album 'Blonde', which debuted at number one on the Billboard charts.

How did Frank Ocean's childhood and upbringing influence his music and artistic vision?

Frank Ocean's childhood in New Orleans, where he was exposed to a rich cultural tapestry of African, Spanish, and French influences, played a significant role in shaping his musical tastes and artistic vision. His grandfather, Lionel, also introduced him to luxury car magazines at a young age, sparking his fascination with the lifestyle of the wealthy, which later manifested in his music and imagery.

What was the significance of Frank Ocean's coming-out letter and its impact?

Frank Ocean's coming-out letter, released on July 4, 2012, was a poetic essay documenting his experiences as a gay man from ages 19 to 24. This revelation was significant as it made him one of the few openly gay artists in the music industry at the time. The letter was seen as sincere and courageous, and it helped to promote acceptance and representation for the LGBTQ+ community in the music industry.

How did Frank Ocean's music style and approach differ from mainstream artists?

Frank Ocean's music style and approach were often described as experimental, alternative, and unconventional. He drew from various genres, including pop, R&B, and neo-soul, and incorporated unconventional sounds like organs, tape decks, and white noise into his music. This experimental approach set him apart from many mainstream artists, and his music was often seen as more complex and introspective, requiring multiple listens to fully appreciate.

What was the significance of Frank Ocean's magazine 'Boys Don't Cry' and its connection to his album 'Blonde'?

Frank Ocean's magazine 'Boys Don't Cry', released a day after his album 'Endless', was another unconventional move that helped build hype for his album 'Blonde'. The magazine featured artwork, cars, and other elements that reflected Frank Ocean's interests and influenced his music. It was part of a broader strategy to generate anticipation for 'Blonde', which ultimately became a major commercial and critical success.

Outlines

00:00

🎤 The Life and Success of Frank Ocean

This paragraph introduces the video series and Frank Ocean's story. It highlights his humble beginnings, the growth of his subscriber base, and his passion for music. The paragraph reveals Ocean's success and accolades, such as winning two Grammys and topping the Billboard charts. It also mentions his unique approach to alternative R&B and his intentional lack of mainstream fame compared to his peers. The paragraph emphasizes that Ocean brings more than just hit singles to the table, and promises to delve into the story of his life and rise to prominence.

05:16

📚 Childhood and Early Life of Frank Ocean

This paragraph explores Frank Ocean's early life and childhood. It reveals his birth name, Christopher Edwin Breaux, and his family background, including his brother and mother. At the age of 5, his family moved from Long Beach, California to the low-income area of New Orleans. The paragraph highlights the cultural influences that shaped young Christopher's upbringing, such as African, Spanish, and French culture. It also mentions the absence of his father at the age of 6 and the role his grandfather, Lionel, played in raising him. The paragraph describes Christopher's fascination with luxury vehicles, his entrepreneurial spirit, and his solitary moments on the rooftops of New Orleans, listening to music and writing lyrics. It also discusses his education, including his expulsion from private school and eventual graduation from John Ehret High School.

10:19

🎶 The Rise of Frank Ocean's Music Career

This paragraph delves into Frank Ocean's early music career and the events that led to his success. It mentions his decision to change his name from Lonny Breaux to Frank Ocean at the age of 23, inspired by the character from the movie "Ocean's 11". The paragraph discusses Ocean's success in ghost writing for mainstream artists like John Legend, Brandy, and Justin Bieber, earning him a substantial income. However, it also highlights his dissatisfaction with the lack of recognition and appreciation for his work, as well as his struggles with hiding his sexuality from his girlfriend. The paragraph introduces Ocean's breakthrough collaboration with Beyoncé and his inclusion on Jay-Z and Kanye West's "Watch the Throne" album, which catapulted him to fame.

15:22

🤝 Troubles with Def Jam and the Release of Channel Orange

This paragraph focuses on Frank Ocean's troubles with his record label, Def Jam, and the release of his debut studio album, Channel Orange. It discusses Ocean's frustrations with Def Jam, including their failure to clear samples for his first project, Nostalgia, Ultra, and their lack of support for him as an artist. The paragraph mentions Ocean's decision to fulfill his two-album contract with Def Jam by releasing Channel Orange in 2012. The album's experimental sound and use of unique samples are highlighted, as well as its success in transforming the industry. The paragraph also addresses Ocean's decision to come out as gay in a letter released shortly before the album's release, which some believed to be a promotional stunt, but was ultimately seen as a sincere and admirable act.

20:22

🔥 Endless, Blonde, and Leaving Def Jam

This paragraph details Frank Ocean's strategic release of the projects Endless and Blonde, which allowed him to fulfill his contract with Def Jam and gain complete ownership of his masters. It describes Ocean's masterplan to create the visual album Endless as a way to intentionally lower first-week sales and essentially troll Def Jam, who he felt had underestimated his potential. The paragraph also discusses the release of the magazine "Boys Don't Cry" and how it built hype for Ocean's fourth album, Blonde, which reportedly earned him millions through an exclusive deal with Apple. The paragraph mentions the backlash from Universal Music Group and the closing of the loophole Ocean had found, but emphasizes that he ultimately succeeded in freeing himself from Def Jam's grip and gaining full control over his music.

25:23

🏆 Frank Ocean's Legacy and Impact

This paragraph reflects on Frank Ocean's legacy and impact on the music industry. It discusses his realization that fame and mainstream success come with the weight of public exposure and scrutiny, and his decision to remain private despite his sexuality revelation. The paragraph highlights Ocean's ability to make the industry vulnerable through his unique artistry and collaborations with major artists. It also mentions his Grammy wins and criticisms of the awards show for being out of touch with young Black artists. The paragraph emphasizes that while Ocean's music may not resonate with everyone, he embraces his fans and stays true to himself, prioritizing his artistic vision over hit singles and notoriety. It concludes by praising Ocean's influential music, his ability to overcome adversity, and his status as a genius in the industry.

Keywords

💡Genius

The term 'genius' refers to Frank Ocean's exceptional talent, creativity, and artistic brilliance. The video emphasizes that his genius extends beyond just his music, encompassing his character, personality, beliefs, and the story of his life. The script states, 'The genius of an artist is more than their music. It's their character, personality, beliefs, and most importantly...story.' This highlights that Ocean's artistry and the depth of his work are deeply intertwined with his personal experiences and identity.

💡Passion

Passion is mentioned in the context of Frank Ocean's dedication and commitment to his craft. The video states, 'It really goes to show how far you can get when you're truly dedicated to something you're passionate about.' This emphasizes that Ocean's success is a result of his intense passion and unwavering dedication to his music, which allowed him to thrive despite challenges. His passion drove him to work tirelessly, overcome obstacles, and ultimately achieve recognition as a groundbreaking artist.

💡Nostalgia

Nostalgia is a key theme in Frank Ocean's music and persona. The video discusses his debut mixtape, 'Nostalgia, Ultra,' which was released in 2011. The album's title and content evoke a sense of nostalgia, as Ocean incorporates samples from various artists and eras, creating a lo-fi, mellow sound that transports listeners to a bygone time. The video states, 'The track list consists of mellow pop that some consider to be experimental or lo-fi. The general vibes of each track takes you back with stories of love and drugs exaggerated on quality instrumentals.' This highlights Ocean's ability to capture a nostalgic atmosphere through his music, inviting listeners to reminisce and connect with the past.

💡Experimental

Experimental is used to describe Frank Ocean's unique and unconventional approach to music. The video notes that his debut album, 'Nostalgia, Ultra,' was considered 'experimental' and that his follow-up album, 'Channel Orange,' was 'going all out experimental.' This suggests that Ocean's music is not confined to traditional genres or structures, but rather pushes boundaries and explores new artistic territories. The script states, 'This made it a hit and transformed the industry from within the confines of his talent,' emphasizing that Ocean's experimental style had a significant impact on the music industry, inspiring artists to embrace more unconventional and innovative approaches.

💡Identity

Identity is a central theme in Frank Ocean's life and artistic journey. The video discusses his decision to change his name from Christopher Breaux to Frank Ocean, as well as his coming-out letter in 2012, in which he openly shared his experiences as a gay man. The script states, 'The revelation of having feelings for the same sex at the young age of 19 may have led him to isolation.' This highlights Ocean's struggle with his identity and the importance of his decision to embrace and express his authentic self through his music and public persona. His journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance is deeply woven into his artistry.

💡Adversity

Adversity refers to the challenges, struggles, and obstacles that Frank Ocean faced throughout his life and career. The video discusses various instances of adversity, such as Hurricane Katrina wiping out his home and studio, his strained relationship with his father, and the legal battles with his record label, Def Jam. The script states, 'Despite his music Frank has been underestimated, often overcoming the trials and tribulation that's his life.' This emphasizes that Ocean's success is not only a testament to his talent but also his resilience in the face of adversity, his ability to persevere through difficult circumstances, and his determination to overcome the obstacles in his path.

💡Industry

The term 'industry' is used extensively in the video to refer to the music industry, the complex ecosystem of record labels, artists, producers, and other stakeholders involved in the creation and distribution of music. The script discusses Ocean's experiences with the industry, his struggles with his record label, Def Jam, and the legal and financial challenges he faced. The video states, 'Def Jam believed Frank Ocean needed Def Jam, when in reality was the other way around. Without second guessing he would leave, did they see the real potential of this artist.' This highlights Ocean's tumultuous relationship with the industry and his desire to assert his independence and creative control, ultimately leading him to find ways to bypass traditional industry structures and retain ownership of his work.

💡Fame

Fame is a central theme in Frank Ocean's journey, as the video explores the consequences and challenges that come with achieving mainstream success and recognition. The script states, 'Fame is a heavy weight to carry and once he gives up his private life for a spot in the mainstream world, will he then become exposed to the opinions of millions.' This suggests that while Ocean achieved fame and acclaim, he also struggled with the public scrutiny and loss of privacy that often accompanies it. The video discusses how Ocean's decision to come out as gay and his altercation with Chris Brown thrust him into the spotlight, exposing him to both praise and criticism. The concept of fame is presented as a double-edged sword, highlighting Ocean's ambivalent relationship with notoriety and his desire to maintain artistic integrity while navigating the pressures of the mainstream industry.

💡Influence

Influence refers to the impact and significance of Frank Ocean's music and artistic contributions. The video emphasizes that Ocean's experimental style and unconventional approach 'transformed the industry from within the confines of his talent,' indicating that his influence extended beyond his individual success to shape and inspire the broader music landscape. The script also states that Ocean was 'one of many leaders in the hip-hop world' and made 'some of the most influential music of the 2010s.' This highlights his widespread influence and recognition as a trailblazer who challenged conventions and inspired others to embrace more innovative and authentic forms of artistic expression.

💡Authenticity

Authenticity is a key aspect of Frank Ocean's artistic identity and approach. The video emphasizes that Ocean stays true to himself, embracing his unique experiences, perspectives, and identity in his music. The script states, 'Despite not wanting to be in the limelight, chose to stay true to himself after being underestimated, making some of the most influential music of the 2010s.' This suggests that Ocean's authenticity and unwillingness to compromise his artistic vision and personal integrity contribute significantly to his impact and success. By remaining authentic to his own story and expression, he was able to create music that resonated deeply with fans and influenced the broader industry.

Highlights

The genius of an artist is more than their music. It's their character, personality, beliefs, and most importantly...story.

Frank Ocean's undeniable success is one of many unique cases in the music industry. His artistry has been compared to James Taylor, Al Green, Stevie Wonder, and Marvin Gaye, winning 2 Grammys and nominated 7 times, for his work going #1 on billboard.

Frank Ocean's experimental approach validated the ears of listeners, becoming a representative of transforming alternative R&B.

Frank Ocean sacrifices notoriety for the art form that's his discography, and many may fail to resonate with his style the first time around.

Christopher Edwin Breaux, brother of two, was born on October 28th, 1987 in Long Beach, California. At 5 years old his family moved to the low-income area of New Orleans.

At the age of 6, his father left the family without explanation, leading his grandfather, Lionel, to raise him as the father figure.

At the age of 9, Lionel introduced Lonny to magazines that showcased luxury vehicles, beginning an intense love for classic rides and unaffordable supercars.

At 16, Lonny scraped up money to buy studio time, and his passion for writing and recording overcame his mother's personal opinions about his hobbies.

Hurricane Katrina wiped out New Orleans, along with Lonny's home and studio, leading him to relocate to Texas with family for a while.

At 18 years old, Lonny Breaux moved back to Long Beach and started working to support his pursuit of a music career.

By 2006, Lonny Breaux knew he wanted to change his name, taking inspiration from the 1960s movie 'Ocean's 11' and Frank Sinatra's character, Danny Ocean.

Frank Ocean released his debut mixtape 'Nostalgia, Ultra' in 2011, featuring samples from Coldplay, The Eagles, MGMT, and Radiohead, and hit songs like 'Novacane' and 'Swim Good'.

Beyonce quickly picked up on Frank Ocean after hearing his hits 'Novacane' and 'Swim Good', and they created five songs together.

Frank Ocean was featured on Jay Z and Kanye's 'Watch The Throne', and he officially changed his name from Lonny Breaux to Frank Ocean at 23 years old.

Frank Ocean's relationship with another man when he was 19 was a major conflict for him, but he came out with a poetic essay on July 4th, 2012, documenting his experiences from 19 to 24.

Frank Ocean was involved in a physical altercation with Chris Brown in 2013, where Chris Brown allegedly shouted a homophobic slur at Frank.

Frank Ocean realized he had been trapped in a bad deal with Def Jam, who took a massive percentage from Channel Orange's streaming numbers and failed to see his potential.

In 2016, Frank Ocean released 'Endless', a 45-minute visual album, as a way to fulfill and get out of his Def Jam contract, intentionally making it a waste of time to lower first-week sales.

Frank Ocean then released a magazine titled 'Boys Don't Cry' and his fourth album 'Blonde' a day later, which reportedly racked in 2 million on top of a supposed 20 million dollar deal with Apple.

Frank Ocean finally owned 100% of his masters and freed himself from the grips of Def Jam, seeing firsthand how fame can change a person.

Transcripts

The genius of an artist is more than their music.

It’s their character, personality, beliefs, and most importantly…

story.

Before I begin I want to say thank you to all the people who took time out of their day to watch this series.

A month and a half ago this was my subscriber count

and now, I’m monetized.

It really goes to show how far you can get when you’re truly dedicated to something you're passionate about

so again thank each and every one of you who took the time

to watch my videos and welcome if you’re new to the channel.

Much love and let’s begin.

The undeniable success of Frank Ocean is without a doubt,

one of many unique cases I’ve seen in the music industry.

The 33 year olds artistry has been compared to that of James Taylor, Al Green,

Stevie Wonder, and Marvin Gaye, winning 2 Grammys and nominated 7 times

for his work going #1 on billboard.

His experimental approach validated the ears of listeners,

becoming a representative of transforming alternative R&B

but the commercial domain of this artists career is intentional

given it notably lacks when pared to counterparts who’ve featured him.

Nevertheless, his presence is highly anticipated when your favorite artist

releases a project and that’s because Frank Ocean brings more to the table than cookie cutter hit singles.

Today I’ll be going over the story of Frank Ocean,

breaking down almost every layer of his life that led us to love him

and why he’s one of many leaders in the hip-hop world.

He sacrifices notoriety for the art form that's his discography

and many may fail to resonate with his style the first time around.

Despite his music Frank has been underestimated, often overcoming the trials and tribulation that’s his life..

..but how?

Frank Ocean is known to stay away from the spotlight

with only a handful of interviews and little to no videos of himself on the internet.

He believes he should be known through his craft keeping his personal life out of the media.

I won’t be diving into his lyrics given I feel they’re meant for self interpretation

by the listener but before exploring the mind of this ‘blonded’ man,

we need to visit the importance of his childhood

prior to calling himself Frank Ocean.

Christopher Edwin Breaux, brother of two,

was born on October 28th, 1987 in Long Beach, California.

At 5 years old his family moved to the low income area of New Orleans.

The Louisiana city has been stuck in time, heavily propagated by

African, Spanish, and French culture giving young Christopher a vast amount of history to learn from.

At the young age of 6 his father left the family without explanation.

This confused and hurt Christopher, however, his grandfather, Lionel,

raised him playing the father figure every child desperately needed.

He lived with his mother, Katonya, who warm heartedly named him Lonny

since he was close to Lionel during this time.

At the age of 9, Lionel introduced Lonny to magazines that showcased an expense of luxury vehicles,

beginning an intense love for classic rides and unaffordable super cars.

Fascinated with the lifestyle of a millionaire,

he put his head in the hustle by mowing lawns, walking dogs, and completing other various small jobs for profit.

When Christopher wasn’t in school he’d interoperate life alone on the rooftops of New Orleans.

He’d listen to generations of artists before his time,

overseeing the ultra violet sunsets elapsing the horizon of hot summer nights.

Artists like Donna Summer, Jimi Hendrix, and The Beatles

heavily influenced his philosophy on life during his teen years and wrote his own lyrics ever since.

At 16 he scraped up whatever hustle money he could muster to buy studio time.

His newly found passion for writing and recording overcame his mother's personal opinions about his hobbies,

but even with his education goals set in place was destined to make a career in the music industry.

When younger he got kicked out of private school for fighting

but Irregardless was thankful for being in public school so he could disappear.

At 17 he graduated John Ehret High School and in fall of that year,

attended The University of New Orleans to major in English.

But as fate had it, Hurricane Katrina wiped out the city,

along with his home and studio having to relocate in Texas with family for a while.

After being transferred to The University of Louisiana,

two and a half hours from New Orleans,

the move didn’t last long when he was offered a deal on studio time in his birth town of California.

The now 18 year old Christopher, dropped out and moved back for the first time in over a decade.

With only $1,100 in cash, ($110*) he left Louisiana and became employed to support the life he pursued.

Studio time was crucial for his future and would often put that before himself,

including a major change in his identity.

By 2006 Christopher knew he wanted to change his name.

Taking inspiration from the 1960’s movie Oceans 11,

‘Frank’ Sinatra’s character, Danny ‘Ocean’, was his favorite lead role.

But even encapsulating the memories of his youth through music and movies

wouldn’t be enough to bring him fame and fortune.

Unknown to most he was on track to revolutionizing R&B,

becoming a musical conduit for the heartfelt youth through nostalgic and universally crafted masterpieces

made by the man who will soon call himself...

Frank Ocean.

I'll be the boyfriend

in your wet dreams tonight.

Noses on a rail,

little virgin wears the white.

You cut your hair but you used to live a blonded life.

In the early days of being an artist he pondered the idea of changing his name legally

but the regard for such matter came to a halt to support himself financially.

The now 19 year old self titled Frank Ocean

discovered how to get his foot in the door by making appearances and surrounding himself with artists in his niche.

Frank realized these were starving artists as well,

creating a barrier between his initial mindset and the drive he needed for being competitive.

One night at a listening party, several artists put their laptops on a table,

playing demoed songs through their speakers.

This was the opportunity to demo some of what he had prepared and although nervous... did it.

As luck had it several producers in the room heard his potential,

inviting him to the studio later that week.

Frank used his ability to sing and write

whilst the producers engineered the roadwork for instrumentals that’ll soon to be

revolutionized by the man himself.

The demos Frank recorded were submitted through people who had connections

that’d be received and copied by a variety of mainstream artist.

He flourished in the opportunity to ghost write for artists by the likes of:

John Legend, Brandy, and JB,

garnering an immense amount of cash estimated to be around a few hundred thousand.

However, the newly found fortune Frank found himself flourishing in wasn’t what it seemed.

After all he had what he always wanted.

An expensive BMW, an apartment in Beverly Hills,

all the women he could dream of and several mainstream hits with Lonny Breaux as the name in the credits.

He was grateful of his accomplishments but felt miserable.

He soon realized his happiness stemmed around the lack of people who appreciated his work

nor a label in favor of growing his name but

this wasn’t the only conflicting thing that irked him.

His girlfriend at the time had no idea of the unofficial relationship between him and another man.

The revelation of having feelings for the same sex at the young age of 19 may have led him to isolation.

Whichever the case, living a lie did.

Everything seemed liked a dream partaking until another catastrophe was destined to wipe it away,

but as fate had it, this was just the beginning.

The beginning of his true destination...

Fame.

Frank still has never released a song of his own,

barley making a name for himself or ever gaining the notoriety from a big name label.

But this soon changed when an industry producer by the nickname ‘Tricky’

put him on game when he was 22.

Tricky was the producer behind hits for Rihanna’s ‘Umbrella’ and Beyonce’s ‘Single Ladies’

giving him enough credit to recommend Frank to a record label.

Ironically enough, this was the same record label Frank had written hits for.

In late 2009 Frank signed to Def Jam for a two album deal as a solo artist.

This was a good thing right?

By 2011 Frank had been signed for almost two years without releasing a single or project.

He felt this was his time to show the world who he is.

Who he can and will be.

In the months leading up to his first project release

he worked with various producers to create the masterpiece that’s Nostalgia, Ultra.

Pulling from his love for expensive vehicles,

the cover of his first mixtape displays an Orange BMW E30 M3

that acts as a visual tone setter for what's to come.

The track list consists of mellow pop that some consider to be experimental or lo-fi.

The general vibes of each track takes you back with stories of love and drugs exaggerated on quality instrumentals.

With hit songs like ‘Novacane’ and ‘Swim Good’, Nostalgia, Ultra means exactly that.

Samples used from Coldplay, The Eagles, MGMT, and Radiohead

were all chopped together to complete Franks vision for his debut project.

But of course nothing could be perfect after finding out Def Jam wouldn’t clear the samples.

They didn’t even try reaching out to the bands, undoubtedly pissing Frank off.

Irregardless of circumstance, Frank needed to put this project out

and although he couldn’t profit off his streams due to these legal reasons,

he took it to Tumbler releasing it for free on February 16th, 2011.

Nostalgia, Ultra received an unprecedented applause

and finally…

a fanbase.

I was in the car and my husband was playing this music.

And this guys tone and his lyrics just touched me

and after one song I said "okay, who is that

because I want him on a flight tonight".

The early 2010’s birthed a new form of promotion via the internet.

Although the internet existed it was uncommon for artists to expand their reach on social media platforms

given most of them were in early development at the time.

What can we expect next from Frank Ocean?

uh..

Sh*t I don't know just gotta wait and see.

Cause I heard you were already 9 to 10 pieces into another project.

Yeah, thats coming along good,

thats coming along really good but

there might be some new sh*t coming out before then.

Luckily Frank was at the forefront of the new era,

capitalizing off the opportunity at hand.

During the same year of Nostalgia, Ultra’s release,

Beyonce picked up on the artist quickly after hearing his hits ‘Novacane’ and ‘Swim Good’,

including his credibility in the industry as a writer.

-and he told me it was Frank Ocean

and I immediately reached out

and he came in the next day and we did like 5 or 6 songs.

Really, really talented. Very fast,

he just has so many ideas and

um it's great because he's an artist and I can't wait for everyone to hear him

because he's just the truth.

With Frank Ocean's experience at ghost writing for mainstream artists,

Beyonce created five songs with the man and got

featured on Jay Z and Kanye’s “Watch The Throne”.

He was finally famous and decided now was the time to change his name

from Lonny Breaux to Frank Ocean at 23 years old.

He is just so humble,

such a nice person.

What'd you say? What the f*ck did you just say?

I was real calm and s*it but I'll f*ck you up right now.

What did you just say to me?

What the f*ck you gotta say to me man?

He thinks he's Moesha when he's home alone.

You think you Da Brat when you not at home.

You ate out JD.

You ate out Missy, no challenge.

You f*cked all the members from Jagged Edge before the 'Where the Party At' single.

You f*ck 98 degrees while Britney Spears watch, no challenge.

You let [_____], [_____] to finger you.

You let Jimmy Fallon do you.

You let Tabitha Smiley s*ck yo g*och.

You let Tyler Perry catch you in his next movie.

You braided AJ from 106 & Parks hair.

You faded Lil Zane.

*laughing*

If you’re for some reason not familiar with who this is..

Hi YouTubes!

It's me Jefferson.

I'm here to tell you about the dangers of Herpes.

If you're out getting f*cked in the a*s and just s*cking d*ck

at least let some of us know.

You know why?

Cus I don't wan't Herpes,

neither do my cats.

Don't touch girls!

(Screaming)

Smoking weed everyday

and not having a job.

[____] fore I leg lock you motherf*cker.

Yo girlfriend look like my mom!

I stay with you for most of your life until you're about 45

and something called menopause,

I just disappear.

I'll stop resisting!

Are you still enjoying it?

Happy birthday?

Tyler The Creator is the ringleader of a small group of individuals who call themselves Odd Future.

Consider them to be the "black version of Jackass."

But before they had a show on Adult Swim,

Tyler featured Frank in 2011’s Goblin given they were friends years prior to fame.

Frank was apart of Odd Future for a time

but parted ways given their goals and aspirations didn’t line up with those of the group.

Here's your sandwich.

Oh oh thank you mister.

You such a-

You're welcome, You're welcome.

Wait, what the f*ck?

hol' up. Aye turn the music off.

What's wrong?

Why the f*ck is there peaches on my sandwich?

why is there-

Yo this n*gga put peaches on my sandwich! I'm allergic to p*nis!

Aye, answer me one question.

You asked for a peanut butter sandwich..

with extra peaches on the bread.

Yo he callin' you a liar young n*gga!

Ay no ay I did write that.

This [_____] You know I got, you gotta know I got pneumonia.

I be forgetting sh*t.

Okay. Well played, well played, okay.

Well you sit here and think about watchu did and we gon' take a p*ss break.

(Inaudible)

Sit down, take a seat.

Yeah! Sit the f*ck down!

The chair n*gga.

Aight, cool, cool, cool. Everybody out!

The chair n*gga.

The chair n*gga.

C'mon y'all. C'mon y'all.

Even though Tyler threatened his life for making him a peach sandwich

he forgave him and stayed close friends from here on out.

So close in fact, Tyler knew of Franks secret.

The secret that has been a major conflict for Frank since he was 19.

The relationship he had with another man.

Human beings in a mob.

What's a mob to a king?

What's a king to a God?

What's a God to the non-believer

Who don't believe in

anything?

(Cheering)

Will he make it out alive?

Alright, alright

No church in the wild.

Frank Ocean has guaranteed his spot in becoming the next big pop star

aside Ariana Grande and The Weeknd.

With the breakout success of Frank Ocean,

Def Jam decided to cooperate with him from here on out,

giving the support Frank needed for his first studio album, Channel Orange.

The 2012 project was one of two album releases in his contract

and with the full backing of his label finally giving him the resources he needed,

samples were cleared for the first time in his career.

The album was a noble follow up to Nostalgia, Ultra

but this time going all out experimental.

Some consider this genre to be pop or neo-soul

with the sounds of organs, tape decks, car doors, waves, and white noise displaying the general vibe of the album.

This made it a hit and transformed the industry from within the confines of his talent.

But before the release of Channel Orange there was one important thing he needed to do to feel true to his fans

and most importantly himself.

On July 4th, 2012 Frank released a come out letter to the world.

A poetic essay documenting the experiences from 19 to 24,

finally getting to show the world who he is as an individual.

Some believed this was a stunt to promote his album but the way he came out felt sincerer

and failed to leave bad tastes in peoples mouths.

You know, my take on Frank Ocean.

I feel like he's a

hero.

In my eyes you know?

As a black, gay man in the artist field

you can't just come out to everyone

and just admit that you're gay

and still expect people to have your back or to

respect you as an artist

so in my eyes he's a hero for doing that.

n January of 2013 a fight between Frank Ocean and Chris Brown transpired following a parking space

at a studio they went to.

Notably, Chris Brown was still on probation for the physical altercation with fellow pop star, Rihanna.

However, Chris Brown was set on beefing with artists the likes of Tyler The Creator,

leading to Frank getting tied in and Tyler doing what he does best...

trolling.

He beats up women.

He's a b*tch.

But the now admitted Frank Ocean decided to stand his ground when confronted by Chris

leading to him and his team jumping Frank.

According to Sean Kingston, Frank and his “crew of Cr*ps”

instigated the fight but regardless of what the ‘suicidal’ signer says,

the situation didn’t help Chris given his history of anger issues towards fellow celebrities.

With the unlikely reality that Frank Ocean is gang affiliated with the opposing gang Chris is in,

is almost hilarious and makes Sean Kingston seem like a paid alibi for the abusive pop star

who may have given him the chip.

It also didn’t help Chris that Frank was the only one who spoke to the cops

and if Frank was street, ‘snitching’ wouldn’t favor his credibility, despite being a world renown pop star.

But as media ensues they jumped on the topic of what Chris called Frank during the studio brawl.

Cops reported that Chris shouted a homophobic slur to Frank while getting pinned by his goons.

Within a year of Frank coming out was the intimidate reaction from Chris when beating him up

and to this day is still being held accountable for his words and actions

inevitably regretting the incident ever happening.

Well with the Frank Ocean situation I'll just put it like this.

It's in the past.

You know? Um, stuff went down but it's whatever.

It always sensationalized and always blown out of proportion.

You know? I got respect for his music.

I got respect for everybody else so I ain't really tryna, you know,

go back down that route.

Everything for me is moving forward.

I do my music now so I'm good.

Right. Well hell you was at a studio doing music then.

Yeah you know. You know?

Sh*t happens.

(forced laugh)

Man sh*t does happen.

(goat laughs)

But it just seems like a lot of sh*t happens to you.

I WOKE UP CHRIS BREEZY.

Despite celebrity beefs and physical altercations,

Frank had bigger problems on his hands.

Def Jam was taking a massive percentage from Channel Orange’s streaming numbers.

His net worth was disgustingly smaller than his gross

and it didn’t help that he was being sued by his father around this time as well.

Those from a record label who neglect the potential of their artists

is where the phrase ‘sold my soul’ comes from in this industry

and by not getting the full support of Def Jam from day one,

left him with a pessimistic stance on the industry as a whole.

Frank realized he messed up after signing a two album deal as a solo artist

because..

he wasn’t a solo artist.

He had no fans to make songs for because he wrote songs for other people.

He wasn’t an industry plant who was bread all his life to become #1,

he wasn’t an addict who had the appeal of a diseased pop star,

and he wasn’t a rapper who used autotune to his advantage.

Def Jam only wanted him for the appeal of his writing skills

and knew what they we’re giving him when handing over the contract.

At first glance it’s an artists dream come true

when in retrospect was a legal obligation to be a slave to it.

His first album Nostalgia, Ultra didn’t count as an album in his deal because it had copyrighted samples.

Samples Def Jam never cleared because they didn’t want him to fulfill his contract.

And why would they when they had the likes of a young boy who made them millions

and could be easily manipulated during this time?

This is how Def Jam trapped him

and he was just starting to fathom the bigger picture this evil corporation set him up in.

Despite Nostalgia, Ultra's success, Frank Ocean wouldn’t be recognized if he wasn’t picked up from the likes of

Beyonce, Jay Z, and Kanye.

His label would’ve never given him the green light to drop 'Channel Orange'

a year after making it one of two albums in the deal.

By 2014 Frank realized he needed to play Def Jams game in order to unf*ck himself from his contract.

He managed to make it this far

he may as well fulfill it and reap the benefits too.

He needed one more album to complete to be out of the deal for good

so he came up with a masterplan to execute it.

In August of 2016 began the rollout for his second studio album ‘Endless’,

the final release to fulfill his contract and get out of Def Jams grasp.

However, something was different about this one.

Frank signed an exclusive album deal with Apple that still remained in the legal limits of his Def Jam contract

but Endless wasn’t pieced together like a traditional track by track album would be.

Instead it was showcased via livestream that lasted over 5 days

which was only accessible on Apple Music.

The livestream consisted of Frank building a staircase in a Brooklyn warehouse

while snippets of Endless played in the background.

Fans we’re hyped and Def Jam was confused

but once the livestream ended they realized they we’re just trolled.

Taken straight out of Tyler’s book,

Endless ended up becoming what felt like an endless wait for an endless livestream

that led to a 45 minute visual album titled 'Endless'

all to get out of the deal he says has been a chess game for seven years.

He purposefully made his final album a waste of time to lower first week sales that estimated to be a small

$157,000.

In other words instead of making Def Jam millions,

he gave them exactly what they saw in him...

little to nothing.

But the finessing wasn’t over just yet when Frank finally escaped Def Jams grasp

and dropped a magazine titled ‘Boys Don’t Cry’ a day later.

The magazine was inspired by the ones he’d read as a kid and featured

body art, cars, and other various things Frank Ocean loves

including a poem about McDonald's written by Kanye West.

But as confusing as was intentional,

did everyone realize the purpose of this self sabotage was for.

Def Jam believed Frank Ocean needed Def Jam,

when in reality was the other way around.

Without second guessing he would leave, did they see the real potential of this artist.

On the day after Endless released was Franks fourth album ‘Blonde’

which became the biggest industry finesse of the century.

That's right, ‘Endless’ and ‘Boys Don’t Cry’ was meant to build hype for

Blonde which reportedly racked in 2 mill on top of the supposed 20 mill from the Apple deal.

Things got so heated in fact, the head of Universal Music Group,

AKA the a*shole who makes my videos non profitable,

came out and put a ban on these Apple deals.

The loophole Frank found was closed and the label claimed their relationship was like a "bad marriage,"

taking down most of his music videos from youtube

but regardless Frank Ocean finally owned 100% of his masters

and freed himself from the grips of Def Jam.

By this point Frank Ocean saw himself as the man he dreamt of becoming as a youth,

however, it wasn’t what it seemed to be

once he executed his masterplan.

Nevertheless, Def Jam did fail to see his potential

but they also played a major part in boosting his career as well.

Throughout years of being stuck under a bad label and seeing firsthand what fame can do to a person

was a realization.

Fame is a heavy weight to carry and once he gives up his private life for a spot in the mainstream world

will he then become exposed to the opinions of millions.

But irregardless of staying away from the public,

he still revealed his sexuality, making it easier for the gay community to be accepted in this industry.

Given he’s worked alongside some of the biggest artists in the game,

he’s managed to secure a spot in being one of the few who can say they made the industry vulnerable

after being finessed the way they did.

Since then more and more artists have come out to admit the truths of their label’s contracts in this industry.

In 2013 Frank won a Grammy for Channel Orange less than month after Chris Brown’s homophobic slur,

making it a justified payback.

After declining Blonde for 2016’s grammy nominations,

Ocean was heavily criticized by them after saying the awards were “out of touch with music by young black artists”.

Grammys broadcast producer, Ken Ehrlich and writer, David Wild,

replied by saying his 2013 performance was

“awkward”

and “wasn’t meant for television”

but over the course of the decade, big named artists began boycotting the Grammys as well.

Frank Ocean was finally out of the deal and claimed 100% of Blonde’s revenue after it went #1 on Billboard.

With songs like Nikes, Pink + White, In My Room, and Ivy

goes to show how much a label can be useful in boosting songs given these are sleeper hits,

but Frank doesn’t want nor need that.

Most artist who become mainstream almost do a disservice to the OG fans,

and in what feels like a betrayal.

However, as many of you need to remember

the whole goal of being an artist is to have a bigger reach with your art.

Luckily for Ocean the fans have him all to themselves and if you fail to resonate with his style the first time around

it’s okay.

His music isn’t for everybody and the fact he embraces the ones who do love him

shows that he doesn’t care about notoriety or making cookie cutter hit singles.

But despite not wanting to be in the limelight,

chose to stay true to himself after being underestimated,

making some of the most influential music of the 2010’s

and overcame the trials and tribulations that citified him a bona fide genius.

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