Frank Ocean
Encyclopedia
Christopher Francis Ocean (born Christopher Breaux; October 28, 1987), better known by his stage name
Frank Ocean, is an American
singer-songwriter
and rapper from New Orleans, Louisiana
. He is a member of OFWGKTA
.
collective OFWGKTA
, who he met through his connections, at the end of 2009. In late 2009, he met Tricky Stewart, who helped Ocean sign a contract with Def Jam Recordings
as a solo artist, however, he was initially unable to build a relationship with the company. In 2010, he changed his name from Christopher Breaux to Christopher Francis Ocean via a legal website.
, Brandy
, and Beyoncé Knowles
("I Miss You" from the album 4
), Ocean has also worked with Nas
(on whose 10th studio album Ocean is expected to feature, along with fellow Odd Future members Tyler, the Creator
and Hodgy Beats
) and Pharrell Williams
. On February 18, 2011, Ocean released his first mixtape, nostalgia,ULTRA., to critical acclaim. His music mostly focuses on interpersonal relationships, personal reflection and social commentary. NPR
's Andrew Noz calls Ocean's songwriting "smart and subtle...setting him apart from the pack." Rolling Stone
magazine's Jonah Weiner calls Ocean a "gifted avant-R&B smoothie". In an April 2011 interview, Ocean stated that his relationship with Def Jam has strengthened since the release of his mixtape.
Ocean appeared in Tyler, the Creator
's music video for the single "She", from Tyler's 2011 studio album Goblin
. Ocean first performed with Odd Future at the Coachella
Music & Arts Festival in April of 2011, then later joined his OFWGKTA
bandmates for the first time on tour from May 12 to May 19, 2011. They toured the eastern seaboard of the United States. On May 19, 2011 Ocean's record label Def Jam announced its plans to re-release Nostalgia, Ultra as an EP. The single "Novacane
" was released to iTunes on May 31, 2011, and the EP originally was set to be released on July 26, 2011, but through his Tumblr
blog on July 24th, he stated that it would not be released on that date. In June 2011, Ocean revealed on his Tumblr that he would be working on the upcoming Kanye West
and Jay-Z
collaborative album, Watch the Throne
. Ocean was ultimately a writer and featured artist on the tracks "No Church in the Wild" and "Made in America". On July 28th, 2011 a song titled "Thinking About You" was leaked on the internet. It was later revealed the song was a reference track
and written for Roc Nation
artist Bridget Kelly
for her debut studio album. Kelly who has performed an acoustic version of the song, has renamed it "Thinking About Forever". However on September 15, 2011 a music video directed by High5Collective
for Ocean's version was released, so it is currently unknown on which project the song will end up on.
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
Frank Ocean, is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
and rapper from New Orleans, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
. He is a member of OFWGKTA
OFWGKTA
Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All, often abbreviated OFWGKTA and also known simply as Odd Future or Golf Wang, is an alternative hip hop collective from Los Angeles, California...
.
2005-2010: Career beginnings
Ocean was with the producer duo The MIDI Mafia. Ocean joined Los Angeles based hip hopHip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
collective OFWGKTA
OFWGKTA
Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All, often abbreviated OFWGKTA and also known simply as Odd Future or Golf Wang, is an alternative hip hop collective from Los Angeles, California...
, who he met through his connections, at the end of 2009. In late 2009, he met Tricky Stewart, who helped Ocean sign a contract with Def Jam Recordings
Def Jam Recordings
Def Jam Recordings is an American record label, focused primarily on hip hop and urban music, owned by Universal Music Group, and operates as a part of The Island Def Jam Motown Music Group...
as a solo artist, however, he was initially unable to build a relationship with the company. In 2010, he changed his name from Christopher Breaux to Christopher Francis Ocean via a legal website.
2011-present
Ocean has written songs for John LegendJohn Legend
John Roger Stephens , better known by his stage name John Legend, is an American singer, musician, and actor. He is the recipient of nine Grammy Awards, and in 2007, he received the special Starlight award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame.Prior to the release of his debut album, Stephens' career...
, Brandy
Brandy Norwood
Brandy Rayana Norwood , known professionally as Brandy, is an American singer-songwriter, producer, actress, and dancer. In 2009, she introduced her rap alter-ego Bran'Nu....
, and Beyoncé Knowles
Beyoncé Knowles
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles , often known simply as Beyoncé, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, she enrolled in various performing arts schools and was first exposed to singing and dancing competitions as a child...
("I Miss You" from the album 4
4 (Beyoncé Knowles album)
4 is the fourth studio album by American recording artist Beyoncé Knowles, released through Columbia Records on June 24, 2011. Three weeks before its scheduled release, 4 leaked in full. The twelve-song set marks the first release by Knowles since separating professionally with father and manager,...
), Ocean has also worked with Nas
Nas
Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, who performs under the name Nas , formerly Nasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in hip hop and one of the most skilled and influential rappers of all-time...
(on whose 10th studio album Ocean is expected to feature, along with fellow Odd Future members Tyler, the Creator
Tyler, the Creator
Tyler Okonma , better known by his stage name Tyler, The Creator, is an American rapper, record producer, music video director, actor, graphic artist and fashion designer from Los Angeles, currently signed to English independent record label XL Recordings and his own record label, Odd Future...
and Hodgy Beats
Hodgy Beats
Gerard Damien Long , better known by his stage name Hodgy Beats is an American rapper from Pine Bluff, Arkansas. He attended Pasadena High School in Pasadena, California...
) and Pharrell Williams
Pharrell Williams
Pharrell Williams , commonly known simply as Pharrell, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, composer, and fashion designer. Williams and Chad Hugo make up the record production duo The Neptunes, producing hip hop and R&B music...
. On February 18, 2011, Ocean released his first mixtape, nostalgia,ULTRA., to critical acclaim. His music mostly focuses on interpersonal relationships, personal reflection and social commentary. NPR
NPR
NPR, formerly National Public Radio, is a privately and publicly funded non-profit membership media organization that serves as a national syndicator to a network of 900 public radio stations in the United States. NPR was created in 1970, following congressional passage of the Public Broadcasting...
's Andrew Noz calls Ocean's songwriting "smart and subtle...setting him apart from the pack." Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
magazine's Jonah Weiner calls Ocean a "gifted avant-R&B smoothie". In an April 2011 interview, Ocean stated that his relationship with Def Jam has strengthened since the release of his mixtape.
Ocean appeared in Tyler, the Creator
Tyler, the Creator
Tyler Okonma , better known by his stage name Tyler, The Creator, is an American rapper, record producer, music video director, actor, graphic artist and fashion designer from Los Angeles, currently signed to English independent record label XL Recordings and his own record label, Odd Future...
's music video for the single "She", from Tyler's 2011 studio album Goblin
Goblin (album)
Goblin is the second studio album by OFWGKTA leader Tyler, The Creator. It was released on May 10, 2011 through XL Recordings. The album's production came almost entirely from Tyler himself, along with contributions from fellow OFWGKTA member Left Brain. Goblin continues Tyler's dialogues with his...
. Ocean first performed with Odd Future at the Coachella
Coachella
Coachella may refer to;*Coachella, California*Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival...
Music & Arts Festival in April of 2011, then later joined his OFWGKTA
OFWGKTA
Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All, often abbreviated OFWGKTA and also known simply as Odd Future or Golf Wang, is an alternative hip hop collective from Los Angeles, California...
bandmates for the first time on tour from May 12 to May 19, 2011. They toured the eastern seaboard of the United States. On May 19, 2011 Ocean's record label Def Jam announced its plans to re-release Nostalgia, Ultra as an EP. The single "Novacane
Novacane (song)
"Novacane" is a song by American singer-songwriter Frank Ocean released as the lead single from his highly acclaimed mixtape Nostalgia, Ultra and from his debut EP Nostalgia, Lite...
" was released to iTunes on May 31, 2011, and the EP originally was set to be released on July 26, 2011, but through his Tumblr
Tumblr
Tumblr is a website and microblogging platform that allows users to post text, images, videos, links, quotes and audio to their tumblelog, a short-form blog. Users can follow other users, or choose to make their tumblelog private. The service emphasizes ease of use. The site ranks as the 10th...
blog on July 24th, he stated that it would not be released on that date. In June 2011, Ocean revealed on his Tumblr that he would be working on the upcoming Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
and Jay-Z
Jay-Z
Shawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
collaborative album, Watch the Throne
Watch the Throne
Watch the Throne is a collaborative studio album by American rappers Jay-Z and Kanye West, released on August 8, 2011, by Roc-A-Fella Records, Roc Nation, and Def Jam Recordings. Recording sessions for the album took place at various recording locations and began in November 2010. It was...
. Ocean was ultimately a writer and featured artist on the tracks "No Church in the Wild" and "Made in America". On July 28th, 2011 a song titled "Thinking About You" was leaked on the internet. It was later revealed the song was a reference track
Demo (music)
A demo version or demo of a song is one recorded for reference rather than for release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas on tape or disc, and provide an example of those ideas to record labels, producers or other artists...
and written for Roc Nation
Roc Nation
Roc Nation is an American management, music publishing and entertainment company founded by Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter.-History:In April 2008, Live Nation partnered with Jay-Z to create Roc Nation...
artist Bridget Kelly
Bridget Kelly
-Early life and career beginnings:She is a graduate from Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in Manhattan. She is signed to Roc Nation....
for her debut studio album. Kelly who has performed an acoustic version of the song, has renamed it "Thinking About Forever". However on September 15, 2011 a music video directed by High5Collective
High5Collective
The High5Collective, often abbreviated H5C, is a group of independent visual artists based in Los Angeles, California. As a production team, they began releasing videos in May of 2011. The collective gained exposure mainly through the Indy blogosphere, but also received some support from larger...
for Ocean's version was released, so it is currently unknown on which project the song will end up on.
As lead artist
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
US R&B Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... |
||||||||||||
| "Novacane Novacane (song) "Novacane" is a song by American singer-songwriter Frank Ocean released as the lead single from his highly acclaimed mixtape Nostalgia, Ultra and from his debut EP Nostalgia, Lite... " |
2011 | 82 | 17 | Nostalgia, Lite | |||||||||
| "Swim Good Swim Good "Swim Good" is a song by American singer-songwriter Frank Ocean, produced by Midi Mafia. Originally released on his highly acclaimed mixtape Nostalgia, Ultra it serves as the second single off his debut EP Nostalgia, Lite... " |
— | 70 | |||||||||||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or receive certification. | |||||||||||||
As a featured artist
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | |||||||||||||
| "She She (Tyler, the Creator song) "She" is the third single by American hip hop artist and OFWGKTA member Tyler, The Creator from his album Goblin. It was released May 10, 2011. It features another OFWGKTA member Frank Ocean. The single was produced by Tyler himself.... " (Tyler, The Creator Tyler, the Creator Tyler Okonma , better known by his stage name Tyler, The Creator, is an American rapper, record producer, music video director, actor, graphic artist and fashion designer from Los Angeles, currently signed to English independent record label XL Recordings and his own record label, Odd Future... featuring Frank Ocean) |
2011 | 116 | Goblin Goblin (album) Goblin is the second studio album by OFWGKTA leader Tyler, The Creator. It was released on May 10, 2011 through XL Recordings. The album's production came almost entirely from Tyler himself, along with contributions from fellow OFWGKTA member Left Brain. Goblin continues Tyler's dialogues with his... |
||||||||||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or receive certification. | |||||||||||||
Guest appearances
| Title | Year | Album | Artist(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Hell" | 2010 | BlackenedWhite BlackenedWhite - Charts :... |
MellowHype MellowHype MellowHype is an American hip hop duo from Los Angeles, California, that consists of OFWGKTA members Hodgy Beats , real name Gerard Long, and Left Brain , real name Vyron Turner. Hodgy Beats claims the two met by having similar friends in high school. Left Brain was looking for an artist and Hodgy... |
| "Rico" | |||
| "She She (Tyler, the Creator song) "She" is the third single by American hip hop artist and OFWGKTA member Tyler, The Creator from his album Goblin. It was released May 10, 2011. It features another OFWGKTA member Frank Ocean. The single was produced by Tyler himself.... " |
2011 | Goblin Goblin (album) Goblin is the second studio album by OFWGKTA leader Tyler, The Creator. It was released on May 10, 2011 through XL Recordings. The album's production came almost entirely from Tyler himself, along with contributions from fellow OFWGKTA member Left Brain. Goblin continues Tyler's dialogues with his... |
Tyler, the Creator Tyler, the Creator Tyler Okonma , better known by his stage name Tyler, The Creator, is an American rapper, record producer, music video director, actor, graphic artist and fashion designer from Los Angeles, currently signed to English independent record label XL Recordings and his own record label, Odd Future... |
| "Window" | Tyler, the Creator, Domo Genesis, Hodgy Beats Hodgy Beats Gerard Damien Long , better known by his stage name Hodgy Beats is an American rapper from Pine Bluff, Arkansas. He attended Pasadena High School in Pasadena, California... , Mike G |
||
| "No Church in the Wild No Church in the Wild "No Church in the Wild" is a song by American hip hop artists Kanye West and Jay-Z, from their first collaborative album Watch the Throne. The song is the 1st song on the official track list for the album and features vocals from OFWGKTA singer-songwriter Frank Ocean... " |
Watch the Throne Watch the Throne Watch the Throne is a collaborative studio album by American rappers Jay-Z and Kanye West, released on August 8, 2011, by Roc-A-Fella Records, Roc Nation, and Def Jam Recordings. Recording sessions for the album took place at various recording locations and began in November 2010. It was... |
Jay-Z Jay-Z Shawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010... , Kanye West Kanye West Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and... |
|
| "Made in America" |
Music videos
| Title | Year | Director(s) |
|---|---|---|
| "Acura Integurl" | 2011 | Dave Wilson Dave Wilson Dave Wilson was an American television director, best known for his work as the director of the NBC program Saturday Night Live from 1975 to 1986 and 1989 to 1995... |
| "Novacane" | Nabil Elderkin Nabil Elderkin Nabil Elderkin is an Australian professional photographer and music video and film director of mixed American and Iranian origin. Born in Chicago and raised in Australia, he is now based in Los Angeles, California.-Beginnings:... |
|
| "Thinking About You" | High5Collective High5Collective The High5Collective, often abbreviated H5C, is a group of independent visual artists based in Los Angeles, California. As a production team, they began releasing videos in May of 2011. The collective gained exposure mainly through the Indy blogosphere, but also received some support from larger... |
|
| "Swim Good" | Nabil Elderkin | |
Featured music videos
| Title | Year | Director(s) |
|---|---|---|
| "She" (Tyler, The Creator featuring Frank Ocean) |
2011 | Wolf Haley |
Song writing credits
| Title | Year | Album | Artist(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| "1st & Love" (with Chauncey Hollis, Rich King, Jesse Woodard) |
2008 | Human | Brandy Norwood Brandy Norwood Brandy Rayana Norwood , known professionally as Brandy, is an American singer-songwriter, producer, actress, and dancer. In 2009, she introduced her rap alter-ego Bran'Nu.... |
| "Quickly" (with John Stephens John Stephens John Stephens may refer to:*John Hall Stephens , U.S. Representative from Texas*John Legend , American musician*John Lloyd Stephens , American explorer, writer, and diplomat... , Kevin Risto, Waynne Nugent Midi Mafia Midi Mafia is a hip hop/R&B production duo consisting of American Bruce Waynne from Brooklyn, New York and Canadian Dirty Swift from Ottawa, Ontario... , Dapo Torimiro Dapo Torimiro Dapo Torimiro is a multi-platinum songwriter, record producer, multi-instrumentalist and singer. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, he has worked in the music industry in the U.S... ) |
2008 | Evolver Evolver (John Legend album) Evolver is the third studio album by R&B/soul singer John Legend, released by GOOD Music and Columbia Records on October 28, 2008 in the United States and on October 20 in the United Kingdom. It features guest appearances by Kanye West, Brandy, Estelle and Andre 3000, among others.The album debuted... |
John Legend John Legend John Roger Stephens , better known by his stage name John Legend, is an American singer, musician, and actor. He is the recipient of nine Grammy Awards, and in 2007, he received the special Starlight award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame.Prior to the release of his debut album, Stephens' career... |
| "Bigger Bigger (Justin Bieber song) "Bigger" is a song by Canadian recording artist Justin Bieber, included as a track on his debut release, My World, released on November 17, 2009. It was written by Bieber, Dapo Torimiro and Lonny Breaux , Kevin Risto and Waynne Nugent of Midi Mafia, with the latter duo and Torimiro producing the song... " (with Kevin Risto, Waynne Nugent Midi Mafia Midi Mafia is a hip hop/R&B production duo consisting of American Bruce Waynne from Brooklyn, New York and Canadian Dirty Swift from Ottawa, Ontario... , Dapo Torimiro Dapo Torimiro Dapo Torimiro is a multi-platinum songwriter, record producer, multi-instrumentalist and singer. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, he has worked in the music industry in the U.S... ) |
2009 | My World EP | Justin Bieber Justin Bieber Justin Drew Bieber is a Canadian pop/R&B singer, songwriter and actor. Bieber was discovered in 2008 by Scooter Braun, who came across Bieber's videos on YouTube and later became his manager... |
| "I Miss You I Miss You (Beyoncé Knowles song) "I Miss You" is a song by American recording artist Beyoncé Knowles, taken from her fourth studio album, 4 . It was written by Knowles, Frank Ocean and Shea Taylor while production was handled by Knowles and Taylor... " (with Beyoncé Knowles, Shea Taylor) |
2011 | 4 4 (Beyoncé Knowles album) 4 is the fourth studio album by American recording artist Beyoncé Knowles, released through Columbia Records on June 24, 2011. Three weeks before its scheduled release, 4 leaked in full. The twelve-song set marks the first release by Knowles since separating professionally with father and manager,... |
Beyoncé Knowles Beyoncé Knowles Beyoncé Giselle Knowles , often known simply as Beyoncé, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, she enrolled in various performing arts schools and was first exposed to singing and dancing competitions as a child... |
| "Thinking About Forever" | Every Girl EP | Bridget Kelly Bridget Kelly -Early life and career beginnings:She is a graduate from Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in Manhattan. She is signed to Roc Nation.... |
|