Frank Ocean: Channeling the Artist We Need Raymart

Lately, it’s become harder to find male artists for audiences to identify with without feeling guilty about it. The discussion has constantly been on how to separate the art from the artist as it seems more and more male artists don’t have a firm grasp on their platform.

In June 2018, we had people on all social media platforms arguing over alleged domestic abuser XXXTentacion after his death. We had 50 Cent mocking Terry Crews for his sexual assault claims against WME executive Adam Venit. When this much controversy over artists’ lifestyles and opinions translate to real issues that people go through everyday, it’s hard as consumers to feel as if the actions of certain musicians represent and define our own experiences.

But we don’t have to elect certain artists to do that for us.

Frank Ocean is one of the most reclusive figures in mainstream music today, yet he has one of the most important roles in it. For a man who has a common motif of bright colors on album covers and titles, Ocean is not too fond of the limelight, and that’s a huge selling point.

Frank Ocean opened up about his sexuality before the 2012 release of channel ORANGE. The positive support and response from artists in the music industry was a telling moment in time as his critically-acclaimed album catapulted his career to the Grammy stage. The statement itself was powerful because his sexuality had never been used as a selling point, even afterwards.

Frank Ocean did not exploit himself at that moment, rather he stepped out of his reclusive nature to deliver a powerful confession between the artist and the audience. There was a strong demand for a

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positive role model in the music industry, which was dominated by misogyny promoted by male artists that had always existed and will most likely continue to exist for a while.

Ocean’s reclusive nature remains today, which itself is a powerful statement that fans are attracted to. His stardom and sexuality do not clash as they are shown itself. Stories of heartbreak and love were told through Ocean’s music. Regardless of race, sexual orientation and age, the music on Blonde was a powerful statement that many connected to and it showed that love was still a universal language. to be everyday aspects of his life. Many artists tend to exploit their lifestyles with the common phrase “all publicity is good publicity”.

Frank Ocean has proven the industry wrong. Blonde was released on his own label Boys Don’t Cry and he continues to release music on his own merit with little to no promotion.

Ocean’s success stems from audience demands for an artist they can relate to without all the bells and whistles. His bravery with his sexuality is portrayed in music that isn’t limited to an LGBTQ+ audience. The importance of his role in the music industry is how he serves as an idol without having to succumb to misogyny, abuse scandals and the “macho-man” persona that most male artists today condone.

There continues to be an issue with audiences attacking or “cancelling” artists for scandals, yet supporting other artists with similar situations simply because their content is more enjoyable for the consumer.

Ocean’s music is allowed to speak for itself. The R&B market in recent years has become over-sexualized “radio” music. Frank Ocean’s discography may not boast the most radio hits, yet within four months, his 2016 release of Blonde had generated 620,000 equivalent album units according to Billboard.

The demand for the music being made was the content

Frank Ocean continues to break the mold by releasing quality music that people across all borders can enjoy. His bravery has allowed artists like Kevin Abstract and Steve Lacey to openly discuss their sexuality while also attracting audiences from all over simply by the quality of their content.

There are positive and talented artists out there that we can find comfort in without feeling forced to stick by their side in the face of accusations and headlines. As consumers, our listen experience is more meaningful knowing the backdrop to our lives has been provided by creators we trust who let the product speak for itself.