Frank Ocean

Image by Alex Reside

        Genre: R&B

        Age: 31
        Est. 2011
        Label: Boys Don’t Cry
        Monthly Listeners: 9 M



Frank Ocean has made his way to the top, and rightfully so. His first studio album, Channel Orange, got him a Grammy for Best Urban Contemporary Album. At the time, he was signed with Def Jam Recordings, which unfortunately didn’t give him the support he felt he needed to grow as a musician, being signed on as only a songwriter. He had been signed with them since 2009, but Channel Orange didn’t come out until 2012. Still, he was contracted to make another album with the label after Channel Orange, bringing about the release of the visual album Endless.

I hadn’t heard Endless up until writing this post and I only did hear it because I have Apple Music. It was an Apple Music exclusive release so it’s difficult to come about it on any other platform (though you can listen to it here). It’s also not a traditional format to release music in because the songs aren’t separated by track, nor are they named. If I had a favorite song on Endless, I would have to remember the time stamp to go to in order to listen. It’s obvious why this wouldn’t be Frank Ocean’s most popular release. Billboard estimates that it made Def Jam $13,000-$157,000 in its first week depending on how Apple Music is paying per stream (per song or entire album).

Immediately after fulfilling his contract, Frank dropped Def Jam and released Blonde (controversially my favorite release). Blonde seemed a lot more purposeful than Endless was. He was only waiting to get rid of the unsupportive Def Jam in order to really pour his heart out. Including album sales and streams, Billboard estimates that Frank made about $2 million dollars in the first week after releasing Blonde through his independent label Boys Don’t Cry. Bravo, Frank Ocean. Remember how much Def Jam made off of Endless?

Independent releases are becoming more and more popular in the music industry and it’s obvious why looking at Frank’s case. Not being held back by a major label is going to give Frank Ocean the creative freedom to continue to provide us with even more beautiful music to cry to at 2 am (I KNOW it’s not just me). And he’s going to secure the bag with much more ease while doing it.

Frank is a talented, timeless artist who has exposed me to a different side of music—one where I can feel and cry and be vulnerable. His transition to an independent label shows that he wants to have the ability to be himself and I think it certainly transfers through to his fans. Seeing a successful black musician and an open member of the LGBT community is so powerful, especially to kids growing up struggling to be who they are. He’s become an icon in the music industry to fans and other musicians alike. But he continues to leave us high and dry waiting for another album. It’s been 3 years, I’m begging.