Early Career

With over 30 million monthly listeners, there is no doubt that Frank Ocean is one of this generation’s most favored artists. Beginning his music career in the early 2010s, Christopher Francis William Ocean (Frank Ocean) is an American R&B singer, songwriter, and rapper. Ocean was introduced to the music industry through the musical group Odd Future and broke away shortly after, developing his career independently. In early 2011, Ocean released his mixtape “Nostalgia, Ultra” on Tumblr, which found much success. Later on, in 2012, “Channel Orange” was released, being his first-ever studio album. After gaining a growing fan base, Ocean released his second studio album “Blond(e)” in August 2016.

Maleah Humble, a student at Huntington Beach High School (HBHS) says “I really enjoy Frank Ocean’s music because he adds unique musical elements many other artists do not include.”

Impact

Ocean hasn’t released any new music since “Blond(e),” but despite his absence, his music has had lasting effects on the music industry. In 2012, Frank Ocean openly came out as bisexual, announcing the news through a letter later posted on Tumblr. Since then, Frank Ocean has been one of the few openly queer black music artists. His unapologetic attitude and transparency with his sexuality through his songs have set the tone for many other artists, normalizing total authenticity. Ocean defied hip-hop and R&B standards while still maintaining a personal relationship with his audience. 

Makayla Palacinos said, “Frank Ocean has been making music for a while now, and it is great to see his popularity spike on social media.”

Biggest Hits

Frank Ocean has crafted many trending songs during his career. His top five most popular songs (excluding features) consist of “Pink+White”, “Ivy”, “Lost”, “Thinkin Bout You” and “Chanel” all reaching at least 700 million streams. Ocean has a unique way of creating never-heard-before music. He combines R&B with neo-soul and pop to seamlessly blend melodies. His euphonious voice paired with heart-wrenching lyrics all tie in to create beloved songs. “Thinkin’ Bout You” is a great example of Ocean’s ability to combine catchy beats with lyrics that burst with emotion and passion. 

Logan Benett, an HBHS student said, “Overall, I really appreciate Frank Ocean’s lyrics. They are heartfelt and honest while still being enjoyable to listen to.”

Frank Ocean is unlike any other, and his discography proves that. Although new music from him doesn’t seem to be coming in the near future, it is important to cherish what he has already put out. His lyrics have touched the hearts of countless people, and continue to do so. Overall, artists like Ocean don’t usually find success in the music industry, and his victory goes to show he is truly one of a kind. Here’s to appreciating Frank Ocean, and hoping for more to come from his career.

Want to listen to more from Frank Ocean? Want to discover similar artists? Check out this playlist.