Frank Ocean comes out as gay/bisexual

floggg

In light of recent rumours swirling around that he planned on "coming out" of sorts on his upcoming album, Channel Orange, Frank Ocean has come out as gay or bisexual on a Tumblr post, stating that his first love was a man.

Whoever you are. Wherever you are… I’m starting to think we’re a lot alike. Human beings spinning on blackness. All wanting to be seen, touched, heard, paid attention to. My loved ones are everything to me here. In the last year or 3 I’ve screamed at my creator, screamed at clouds in the sky, for some explanation. Mercy maybe. For peace of mind to rain like manna somehow. 4 summers ago, I met somebody. I was 19 years old. He was too. We spent that summer, and the summer after, together. Everyday almost. And on the days we were together, time would glide. Most of the day I’d see him, and his smile. I’d hear his conversation and his silence…until it was time to sleep. Sleep I would often share with him. By the time I realized I was in love, it was malignant. It was hopeless. There was no escaping, no negotiating to the women I had been with, the ones I cared for and thought I was in love with. I reminisced about the sentimental songs I enjoyed when I was a teenager. The ones I played when I experienced a girlfriend too quickly. Imagine being thrown from a plane. I wasn’t in a plane though. I was in a Nissan Maxima, the same car I packed up with bags and drove to Los Angeles in. I sat there and told my friend how I felt. I wept as the words left my mouth. I grieved for then. Knowing I could never take them back for myself. He patted my back. He said kind things. He did his best, but he wouldn’t admit the same. He had to go back inside soon. It was late and his girlfriend was waiting for him upstairs. He wouldn’t tell the truth about his feelings for me for another 3 years. I felt like I’d only imagined reciprocity for years. Now imagine being thrown from a cliff. No, I wasn’t on a cliff. I was still in my car telling myself it was gonna be find and to take deep breaths. I took the breaths and carried on. I kept up a peculiar friendship with him because I couldn’t imagine keeping up my life without him. I struggled to master myself and my emotions. I wasn’t always successful.

The dance went on. I kept the rhythm for several summers after. It’s winter now. I’m typing this on a plane back to Los Angeles from New Orleans. I flew home for another marred Christmas. I have a windowseat. It’s December 27, 2011. By now I’ve written two albums. This being the second. I wrote to keep myself busy and sane. I wanted to create worlds that were rosier than mine. I tried to channel overwhelming emotions. I’m surprise at how far all of it has taken me. Before writing this I’d told some people my story. I’m sure these people kept me alive, kept me safe. Sincerely, these are the folks I wanna thank from the floor of my heart. Everyone of you knows who you are. Great humans, probably angels. I don’t know what happens now. And that’s alrite. I don’t have any secrets I need kept anymore. There’s probably some small **** still, but you know what I mean. I was never alone, as much as it felt like it. As much as I still do sometimes. I never was. I don’t think I ever could be. Thanks. To my first love, I’m grateful for you. Grateful that even thought it wasn’t what I hoped for and even thought it was never enough, it was. Some things never are. And we were. I won’t forget you. I won’t forget the summer. I’ll remember who I was when I met you. I’ll remember who you were and how we’ve both changed and stayed the same. I’ve never had more respect for life and living than I have right now. Maybe it takes a near death experience to feel alive. Thanks. To my mother. You raised me strong. I know I’m only brave because you were first. So thank you. All of you. For everything good. I feel like a free man. If I listen closely, I can hear the sky falling too.

- Frank

Read more: http://www.thefader.com/2012/07/04/frank-ocean-says-his-first-love-was-a-man/#ixzz1zf1R9U94

Apparently the text posted was intended to serve as the thank you notes to Channel Orange, but he posted it earlier today after a BBC radio presenter reported that Frank used the words "he" to refer to the object of his affections on a couple of songs on Channel Orange.

It's a pretty well written and moving post, and took incredible courage and honesty from him. So far most of the reaction seems to have been positive on Twitter etc, bar the small minority of juvenile idiots that such stories seem to bring. He's the first major male urban music star to come out, though the second member openly LGBT member of OFWGKTA after Sid the Kid, a lesbian.

It's great to see Hip-Hop/Urban music, and indeed society as a whole, is starting to grow up and mature to the point where he felt comfortable to do this.

I was a fan since I first Nostalgia.Ultra, but now I can truly say I can admire and respect him.

More importantly, it means I also now have a shot with him!

conor.hogan.2

Fair play takes some courage to do especially in the rap/r&b "scene". That article said that note was supposed to be on the album liner.

holystungun9

As an extension of this, I have to say that I'm tired of battle rappers using f*gg*t as an insult. I watch rap battles almost everyday and it's the one thing that really irks me about them.

Kylo Ren

Go to 5:29

Boom_Bap

It takes alot of cajones to come out, let alone in the music industry that uses homophobic terms freely. But I must admit that some of the slang words used contain no malice and have just become standard slang.
Even in freestyle battles, the word 'fag' is used as filler when the mc is thinking of thier next line.
Even OFWGKTA use it freely, but the likes of Tyler long ago have said that it's not meant in a derogitory sence.

But congrats to Frank Ocean, it must be a massive relief. From talking to some of my gay and bi fiends, they have said that it's a massive relief to finally 'come out' and they can start a new more free chapter of thier lives.

MD1990

i can see Frank & Wayne maybe dating soon?
i guess Birdman won't be happy though

floggg

MD1990 wrote: »

i can see Frank & Wayne maybe dating soon?
i guess Birdman won't be happy though

Mature. Well done

Boom Bap, as a gay man I agree with most of what you said. I think there is a difference between using what might be considered homophobic language and being homophobic.

I think Tyler is the perfect example - he uses the word "******" and "gay" frequently as in insult, and yet is leader of one of the only, if not the only, major hip-hop urban crews to have any openly gay members at all. I think that speaks volumes about where he stands.

That said though, that doesn't mean that his use of the words are harmless. For somebody struggling to accept their sexuality, hearing the words ****** or gay used in a negative or derogatory way reinforces the idea that there is something wrong with being gay.

As a whole though I think hip-hop is getting over the whole macho tough guy bravado trying to hard thing, and is comfortable with letting people be themselves without conforming to the thug/drug dealer stereotype.

A lot of the new school Internet generation are on record with their tolerance, be it ASAP Rocky, Nicki Minaj, Lil B etc, as well as the like of Murs releasing Animal Style last year or Jay-z endorsing marriage equality.

I think the likes of phonte and slug deserve credit for allowing room for something other than the tough guy, which had been built upon by Kanye and now Drake etc.

Bobby Baccala

floggg wrote: »

I think the likes of phonte and slug deserve credit for allowing room for something other than the tough guy, which had been built upon by Kanye and now Drake etc.

Alternative hip hop has been around since the 80s. Most alternative hip hop acts denounced the gangsta rap craze that was going on throughout the late 80s and into the 90s. There's been hundreds of rappers before kanye and slug that havent played the tough guy in their songs.

On Frank coming out, fair play to him i say. I'm sure it would take some real courage to come out, especially in the midst of his rise to fame.

conor.hogan.2

This has been likely to happen for years now. Forget the general societal shift but just in hip-hop in general has become more open.

The whole thing a while ago about Nore saying he has worked with gay rappers and the whole Lil B album title stirring up discussion ala Nas' album title.

But this is not taking away the courage it still took. A long way from that homophobic ATCQ song.

Bobby Baccala

conor.hogan.2 wrote: »

A long way from that homophobic ATCQ song.

Which one is that? I've heard basically everything they made but i probably overlooked the lyrics, i tend to focus more on the beats when it comes to tribe.

Jimmy Iovine

P4DDY2K11 wrote: »

Which one is that? I've heard basically everything they made but i probably overlooked the lyrics, i tend to focus more on the beats when it comes to tribe.

This one. Lyrics are here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBeyZxvqBTM

Bobby Baccala

Aah havent heard that one before, must be because it's unreleased. I can imagine their views have changed since 91, a lot has happened in music since then regarding homosexual artists. Something most artists have had to accept.

floggg

P4DDY2K11 wrote: »

floggg wrote: »

I think the likes of phonte and slug deserve credit for allowing room for something other than the tough guy, which had been built upon by Kanye and now Drake etc.

Alternative hip hop has been around since the 80s. Most alternative hip hop acts denounced the gangsta rap craze that was going on throughout the late 80s and into the 90s. There's been hundreds of rappers before kanye and slug that havent played the tough guy in their songs.

On Frank coming out, fair play to him i say. I'm sure it would take some real courage to come out, especially in the midst of his rise to fame.

Yea, but there was still always a degree of bravado and posturing. They called out fake gangsters but they still never really allowed them to be seen as weak or vulnerable. The image of a strong black male was still essential to be a rapper.

It's only in recent years that vulnerability has come into rap from what I've seen.

Jimmy Iovine

I saw the dan le sac Vs Scroobius Pip page on Facebook put up a status there about Frank. Np idea which one of them it was that wrote it but it was pretty good. They put up lyrics from a B Dolan song, "Which Side Are You On", that looks at the different issues around us like feminism, racism, class and LGBT.

It isn't on Youtube but it is up on his Bandcamp profile. Pretty strong lyrics.

As the lads said on Facebook, big up Frank Ocean.

"Who wrote the greatest lines of our generation,
but couldn’t get from under their own small-minded hate trip?
The same rappers say they’re trooping the frontlines,
and casually use the word ‘******’ as a punchline.
That’s not a man, that’s not a tough guy.
That is a sucker and a fraud to the culture!
Hip Hop is folk music grown from the struggle and
half these fools could put the mic down and run as a Republican.
**** ‘em then; they learn from their own wrong.
Homophobes don’t go to my shows, we too strong!
And if you’re in the front row, harassing girls during a song
I will reach and ask you exactly–

Chorus:
Which Side Are You On?
Which Side Are You On? "

Jimmy Iovine

Russell Simmons issued a letter of support to Frank today.

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? I am profoundly moved by the courage and honesty of Frank Ocean. Your decision to go public about your sexual orientation gives hope and light to so many young people still living in fear.These type of secrets should not matter anymore, but we know they do, and because of that I decided to write this short statement of support for one of the greatest new artists we have.

His gifts are undeniable. His talent, enormous. His bravery, incredible. His actions this morning will uplift our consciousness and allow us to become better people. Every single one of us is born with peace and tranquility in our heart. Frank just found his.

Frank, we thank you. We support you. We love you

Nice words from one of the biggest men in the hip hop industry.

I would have preferred if Rev Run was the one to say it though. Especially if it was in the form of him sitting in his bathtub typing it out on his Blackberry and finishing off the statement with "God is love, Rev Run".

floggg

Jimmy Iovine wrote: »

I saw the dan le sac Vs Scroobius Pip page on Facebook put up a status there about Frank. Np idea which one of them it was that wrote it but it was pretty good. They put up lyrics from a B Dolan song, "Which Side Are You On", that looks at the different issues around us like feminism, racism, class and LGBT.

It isn't on Youtube but it is up on his Bandcamp profile. Pretty strong lyrics.

As the lads said on Facebook, big up Frank Ocean.

I loved the lack of fuss last year when Murs dropped A.N.I.M.A.L. Style - a story about a young gay relationship. Showed how far things had come!

conor.hogan.2

"Ah, forget it; it's actually accepted for rappers to have no ethics
Their albums would benefit if they put in half the effort
I attended candlelight vigils for Matthew Sheppard
While you put out another "**** you, ******" record" - Sage Francis.

Glad more mainstream rappers are becoming more open and supportive. I have heard nothing but positive thoughts on him coming out which is a good sign.


Frank Ocean is Kanyes protege??

Paully D

Really like this song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMfPJT4XjAI

Jimmy Iovine

Paully D wrote: »

Really like this song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMfPJT4XjAI

Brilliant song. It'd be hilarious if he changed the lyrics to be about a man. Just trolling the fúck out of everyone :pac:.

Doublechinlolz

This is Syd The Kyd. Everybody just watch this and you'll probably agree to everything she's saying..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TePOLc_sEeg

And the interviewer is retarded.
Then I just found this funny regarding Frank's coming out. Such a stereotypical annoying OF fan:

conor.hogan.2

I want a gif of that 3:06-7 second mark.

floggg

Doublechinlolz wrote: »

Lol. Sorry but if you get that freaked out by a gay man, its not him that is making you uncomfortable, its you yourself.

MD1990

floggg wrote: »

Mature. Well done

im only joking

Paully D

Jimmy Iovine wrote: »

Brilliant song. It'd be hilarious if he changed the lyrics to be about a man. Just trolling the fúck out of everyone :pac:.

Some of the lyrics (not in that video as it cuts out about halfway through the song) but in the longer version could actually be interpreted that way:

Pretty girls involved with me
Making pretty love to me, pretty
Pity, pity
All the pretty girls involved with me
Making pretty love to me, pretty
Pity, pity

Ooh ooh, I can't feel a thing
I can't feel, can't feel a thing

Can't feel a thing
Can't feel feel feel feel her
I Can't feel feel her
Novacane Novacane Novacane
I can't feel feel her
Novacane, for the pain, for the pain

I can't feel feel her (feel her, feel her)
Ooh, Novacane Novacane

If he had never come out and said he was bisexual then I wouldn't have thought anything of it at all I suppose and hindsight is a great thing, but the lyrics in the song could be seen as describing his numbness towards women maybe? Just a thought

kunst nugget

Reading about Frank Ocean coming out reminded me of this utterly bizarre thread I read on here last year.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056231856

Mikeyt086

Novacane remains the only Frank Ocean song I have really liked. I think it's absolutely brilliant in fact, but I never got in to his music properly. Any other tracks like Novacane that I absolutely HAVE to hear?

His sexual orientation makes absolutely no difference to me whatsoever, but the reaction of that idiot from the screenshot is inevitable from the #NoHomo "I aint on that gay ****" crowd. Guess what mate, if you are posting your opinions on an internet blog, then you are not the gangsta you are trying to portray yourself as.

floggg

kunst nugget wrote: »

Reading about Frank Ocean coming out reminded me of this utterly bizarre thread I read on here last year.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056231856

Bizarre is being polite. ****ing juvenile would also be putting it politely. Insecure homophobia might be closer to it

Bobby Baccala

kunst nugget wrote: »

Reading about Frank Ocean coming out reminded me of this utterly bizarre thread I read on here last year.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056231856

bring forward ancient threads like that is frowned upon man, you could possibly ressurect and old argument doing that kind of stuff, and on a thread with a subject as sensitive as homosexuality could end up gettin a couple of people banned.

Jimmy Iovine

Mikeyt086 wrote: »

Novacane remains the only Frank Ocean song I have really liked. I think it's absolutely brilliant in fact, but I never got in to his music properly. Any other tracks like Novacane that I absolutely HAVE to hear?

I really like "Swim Good". I prefer it though when someone else is on the track with him. As a result, the remix that Chamillionaire did last year with old UGK verses is my most played song on iTunes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0jWrhrSzdw

Then there's "American Wedding", the song that got him in trouble with The Eagles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Glb3Ki9pmhs

He also did a brilliant song over the beat for "Electric Feel" by MGMT.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTIaZSWZxtM

conor.hogan.2

Street Fighter, Goldeneye, Soul Caliber, Eagles and MGMT. Nice.

pragmatic1

Fair play to him. He's a brave dude.

mufcboy1999

kunst nugget wrote: »

Reading about Frank Ocean coming out reminded me of this utterly bizarre thread I read on here last year.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056231856

great times

floggg

Paully D wrote: »

Jimmy Iovine wrote: »

Brilliant song. It'd be hilarious if he changed the lyrics to be about a man. Just trolling the fúck out of everyone :pac:.

Some of the lyrics (not in that video as it cuts out about halfway through the song) but in the longer version could actually be interpreted that way:

Pretty girls involved with me
Making pretty love to me, pretty
Pity, pity
All the pretty girls involved with me
Making pretty love to me, pretty
Pity, pity

Ooh ooh, I can't feel a thing
I can't feel, can't feel a thing

Can't feel a thing
Can't feel feel feel feel her
I Can't feel feel her
Novacane Novacane Novacane
I can't feel feel her
Novacane, for the pain, for the pain

I can't feel feel her (feel her, feel her)
Ooh, Novacane Novacane

If he had never come out and said he was bisexual then I wouldn't have thought anything of it at all I suppose and hindsight is a great thing, but the lyrics in the song could be seen as describing his numbness towards women maybe? Just a thought

I think the model broad with the Hollywood smile might actually be the guy referred to in his letter. He put him onto a feeling that he never had before, but only have him a little taste (i.e. it was temporary, no hope of anything longer).

Now he's suffering without him, and using these women to numb the pain. He wants to try and recreate what he had with him but he just feels numb and empty while with them, but that's better in his book than behind alone.

I think you can relisten to a lot of his songs and see where they might have a different meaning then originally thought - particularly strawberry swing and thinking of you (in hindsight the use of the word "boy" in the first verse isn't really just used by way of exclamation).

I actually think songs for women might also have another meaning. In first verse he thinks back when he was chasing girls even though he may not have felt he had the right weapons in the armoury for women so to speak (couldn't play guitar or no secret chords). That might be why the reference to his Dad clocking off late (he didn't know his father) - it was kind of a fantasy he lived in.

Now he's burying himself in his work and has no time for women. Women don't excite or challenge him like they used to (don't battle rap anymore) or don't seem to be on the same wavelength (don't listen the songs he records). The "I'm so far gone" line isn't just a play on the drake reference, there's no turning back for him now, he can't go back to how he was.

So when he asks "what you think I do it for?", the answer might not have been as obvious as it seemed. Hence "But you ain't listening, never though".

Of course I could be just completely wrong and it might be actually about songs for women.

floggg

Channel Orange is out on iTune now.

On the first listen seems a bit deeper and more somber than nostalgia.ULTRA but certainly sounds like it will could up to the expectations and hype.

Jimmy Iovine

He's streaming it on his Tumblr page.

conor.hogan.2

Streaming it now, the production is great. The video game samples kept me interested and the whole production in general.

First decent verse from an OF rapper too from Earl. Andre 3000 and a Majin Buu reference, excellent.

Boom_Bap

Just thought I'd post up the new video to the Murs track called Animal Style from earlier in the thread.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwTSPcNSi40

Excellent video and song.

floggg

Boom_Bap wrote: »

Just thought I'd post up the new video to the Murs track called Animal Style from earlier in the thread.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwTSPcNSi40

Excellent video and song.

Saw that last night, I was actually moved.

It's a pity that this will likely he ignored because I think Murs deserves an awful lot of credit for this. He could have just ignored the issue but think a stand and sent a message in making the song in the first place.

Then to actually make the video and cast himself as a gay charachter and be seen getting affectionate with another man (as well as the message on his tshirt) was really powerful.

As a straight underground rapper who will likely never attract a large LGBT following, he had little to gain from this (other than simply doing the right thing) but still risked a backlash from some of his existing fan base (don't think that has materialised yet anyway).

Proud to be a Murs fan!

conor.hogan.2

Murs has been "ignored" for years, it will have nothing to do with this song.

floggg

Unfortunately so. That's what I meant when I said it would be ignored. If a bigger name had made this song he'd be on the front page of Time.

A bigger name artist wouldn't have the balls to release this though.

Murs should get acclaim for taking a stand but a year later and it's still crickets.

J_E

Listening to Channel Orange, really enjoying it so far. Looking forward to hear that Andre 3000 track on it.

mufcboy1999

liking the song with andre, not really into ocean as of yet , bit too laid back and r'n'b ish for me... i know he's as talented as f*ck though, just cannot believe he came out of the same batch as those other idiots.

http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/frank-ocean-pink-matter-song.902325.html

conor.hogan.2

Ye, I'm not that interested in his music (yet?) either. A good album, enjoyed listening to it but I doubt I will listen to it again.

Da Shins Kelly

I'm happy for him. I love his music, hopefully gonna see him later this month in LA.

mufcboy1999

Actually listened to the album in full last night, not bad I must say. That forest gump song and the one with Andre are my favourites.

Was Listining to Martians v goblins by game ft Tyler earlier on in the gym and was just thinking about the whole Bruno mars line that Tyler raps which is extremely anti - gay. Will the rest of oceans click change up their lryics now that ocean has come out ? Would be pretty offensive and tbh awkward if they didn't.

Da Shins Kelly

mufcboy1999 wrote: »

Actually listened to the album in full last night, not bad I must say. That forest gump song and the one with Andre are my favourites.

Was Listining to Martians v goblins by game ft Tyler earlier on in the gym and was just thinking about the whole Bruno mars line that Tyler raps which is extremely anti - gay. Will the rest of oceans click change up their lryics now that ocean has come out ? Would be pretty offensive and tbh awkward if they didn't.

Well considering that much of what Odd Future does is shocking for the sake of it, I doubt it.

mufcboy1999

Da Shins Kelly wrote: »

Well considering that much of what Odd Future does is shocking for the sake of it, I doubt it.

they'd want to, I cant see that working if they dont.

Jimmy Iovine

mufcboy1999 wrote: »

they'd want to, I cant see that working if they dont.

I don't think Ocean is really with them all that much any more though. He seems to just put in a verse here or there and leave it at that.

He is probably bigger on his own at the moment than the whole of OFWGKTA are. It'd be a mistake for him to let go of that and go back to them.

mufcboy1999

Jimmy Iovine wrote: »

I don't think Ocean is really with them all that much any more though. He seems to just put in a verse here or there and leave it at that.

He is probably bigger on his own at the moment than the whole of OFWGKTA are. It'd be a mistake for him to let go of that and go back to them.

i dont know myself, not really into them bar ocean which im only starting to listen to as of last night really.

But id agree he defiantly seems the stand out artist out of them, his hooks are unreal too, loved him on WTT.

Jimmy Iovine

mufcboy1999 wrote: »

i dont know myself, not really into them bar ocean which im only starting to listen to as of last night really.

But id agree he defiantly seems the stand out artist out of them, his hooks are unreal too, loved him on WTT.

Well Earl may make it as well. He's only 18. Still has a long career ahead of him.

Ocean was class on WTT alright. He has some fantastic songs that he does on his own but he has the potential to become the next Nate Dogg in my opinion.

mufcboy1999

Jimmy Iovine wrote: »

Well Earl may make it as well. He's only 18. Still has a long career ahead of him.

Ocean was class on WTT alright. He has some fantastic songs that he does on his own but he has the potential to become the next Nate Dogg in my opinion.

huge shoes to fill, If oceans sound can impact as hard as g funk he'll be on his way.

read last night his album is top of the irish itunes hip hop chart, had no idea he was that popular here already. This is his debut right?