Frank Ocean
New Orleans-raised singer and Odd Future member whose Channel Orange and Blonde redefined R&B.
Who is Frank Ocean?
Frank Ocean (born Christopher Breaux) is a singer and songwriter who was born in Long Beach, California, grew up in New Orleans and was a member of Odd Future.
Known for
His mixtape nostalgia, ULTRA. (2011), the Grammy-winning Channel Orange (2012) and Blonde (2016), which he released independently. In 2012 he wrote an open letter about his first love being a man, a landmark moment in hip-hop and R&B.
Style
Intimate, poetic songs with a soft, flexible voice. Minimal, dreamy production that mixes R&B, soul, electronic music and hip-hop.
Impact
Frank Ocean changed what an R&B album could be and made room for more openness about identity and sexuality in hip-hop. Fans still wait for every new release like a rare event.
