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Frank Ocean

Frank Ocean's Genre:

Contemporary R&B, R&B, Alternative R&B

Biography

An R&B vocalist affiliated with the outlandish hip-hop crew Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All, Frank Ocean (Christopher "Lonny" Breaux) was born and raised in New Orleans. The aspiring songwriter and singer had just moved into his dorm at the University of New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina hit. With his future under water, Ocean immediately left the academic life behind and moved to L.A. to give music a shot. He cut some demos at a friend's home studio, shopped them around town, and eventually landed a songwriting deal that would find him working for Justin Bieber, John Legend, and Brandy. Some of this work was alongside Christopher "Tricky" Stewart, a fellow songwriter and producer who would convince Ocean to sign a solo artist deal with Def Jam in late 2009. It was also around this time he met Odd Future and began writing music for the crew while making guest appearances on their mixtapes.

In February 2011, as Odd Future were making waves, Ocean broke out on his own with the Nostalgia, Ultra mixtape, issued through his Tumblr blog. Later in the year, he appeared on Tyler, the Creator's Goblin ("She," "Window"), Beyoncé's 4 ("I Miss You"), and Jay-Z and Kanye West's Watch the Throne ("No Church in the Wild," "Made in America"). Def Jam's plan for the release of Nostalgia, Lite -- an EP-length version of the mixtape -- was scrapped, yet the songs "Novacane" (produced by Stewart) and "Swim Good" (MIDI Mafia) were released as singles with accompanying videos. The former reached number 17 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop chart. The latter peaked at number 70. By the end of the year, several publications listed Nostalgia, Ultra as one of 2011's best releases.

While his association with Def Jam had been strained, Ocean nonetheless proceeded with the making of his official debut album, working beside the likes of Malay, Om'Mas Keith, and Pharrell Williams as fellow producers. The album, Channel Orange, was previewed for journalists at a handful of listening events. Some writers alleged that certain lyrics on the album revealed Ocean's bisexuality. Ocean subsequently published a screen shot of a TextEdit file (entitled "thank you's") that included details of a romantic relationship -- his first love -- with a male. On July 10, six days after the post, Channel Orange was released by Def Jam as a download, while the CD version was issued the following week. Along with featured appearances from Earl Sweatshirt, John Mayer, and André 3000, the album involved material about unrequited love, as well as class and drug dependency -- all delivered with Ocean's descriptive storytelling and understated yet expressive vocals. Within hours of its iTunes release, Channel Orange was number one on the download store's Top Albums chart. the album would go on to be an all-around success, receiving nearly universal critical acclaim, a spot on the Billboard 200, and a host of Grammy nominations. ~ David Jeffries & Andy Kellman

AOL Radio Stations Frank Ocean is Featured on (22)

Top 50 Songs of 2012

Slacker Radio's Parker returns to host the countdown of the 50 most popular songs of 2012. This countdown represents the most Hearted, most listened to, and most searched for songs of 2012 on Slacker Radio. If you enjoy listening to Parker on Slacker Radio’s Today’s Hits, you’ll love counting down the top 50 of 2012 with her!

Top 50 Breakout Artists of 2012

Mat Diablo is your host for this countdown of the Top 50 Breakout Artists of 2012. This countdown represents the most Hearted, most listened to, and most searched for new artists of 2012 on Slacker Radio. Combine the songs that you listened to and discovered in 2012 with the expertise of Slacker's curators, and you've got a station that features the 50 most critical Breakout Artists of 2012!

Conor Maynard Showcase

This is the Conor Maynard Artist Showcase station on Slacker Radio. Tune in to hear a station built entirely by Conor including music that he hand-picked as well as commentary by Conor about the songs that influenced his music and his life.

Indie Coffee House

Grammy Awards 2013

This station features all of the hits from the 2013 Grammy nominated artists. From established stars like Paul McCartney and Bruce Springsteen to breakout artists like Gotye and Frank Ocean- you'll hear all of the most acclaimed music of the last year, as determined by a panel of their peers.

New R&B First

This is where you'll discover tomorrow's R&B jams today. Emerging artists, new releases, and tracks that are too hot for the radio- it's all on Slacker Radio's New R&B First.

Royal Teeth Showcase

This is the Royal Teeth Artist Showcase station on Slacker Radio. Tune in to hear a station built entirely by the band including music that is hand-picked by Joshua, Gary, Nora, Josh, Stevie, and Andrew as well as commentary about the songs that influenced their music and lives.

Metric Showcase

This is the Metric Artist Showcase station on Slacker Radio. Tune in to hear a station built entirely by the members of Metric including music hand-picked by Emily, James, Josh and Joules as well as commentary about the songs that influenced their music and their lives.

Coachella 2012

The 13th Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival will be held over two consecutive weekends, the first on April 13-15 and the second on April 20-22. Coachella is held at the beautiful Empire Polo Club in Indio, CA and the 2012 line-up includes headlining performances from Radiohead, Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg, and The Black Keys. Coachella 2012 also features some historic reunions, featuring performances by Pulp, At The Drive-In, Refused, and fIREHOSE. Hear all of this year's Coachella artists in one place- on the Coachella 2012 station on Slacker Radio!

US Open of Surfing

After an unprecedented showing last year, the Nike US Open of Surfing will kick off on July 28th in Huntington Beach for what has become one of the most anticipated surf, music and lifestyle events of the year. Title sponsor Nike – along with presenting sponsors Hurley and Converse – continue to elevate the event which will attract over three quarters of a million fans and onlookers along a 14-acre stretch of sand on the south side of Huntington Beach Pier, showcasing the best in surf, skate, music, and art.

ZZ Ward Showcase

This is the ZZ Ward Showcase station on Slacker Radio. Tune in to hear a station built entirely by ZZ Ward including music hand-picked by her as well as commentary about the songs that influenced her music and her life.

R&B Hits

R&B Hits features the hottest songs that are burning up the charts, with the greatest superstars of today and emerging artists that will soon by household names. Connect with R&H Hits to stay on top of what's happening now!

Hip Hop/R&B Hits

On Slacker Radio's Hip Hop and R&B Hits, you'll hear a mix of everything from Young Money, Eminem and Kanye West to Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber. We feature everything that is HOT right now; from the club to the house parties.

Biffy Clyro Showcase

This is the Biffy Clyro Artist Showcase station on Slacker. Tune in to hear a station built entirely by Simon, James and Ben including music that they hand-picked as well as commentary about the songs that influenced their music and their life.

Karmin Showcase

This is the Karmin Artist Showcase station on Slacker Radio. Tune in to hear a station built entirely by the members of Kamrin including music hand-picked by Amy and Nick as well as commentary by each about the songs that influenced their music and their lives.

Adult Chill

We know you. You've got a million things on your mind, from kids to bills and back. When it's time to chill, we also know that you're looking for a laid-back, eclectic mix that matches your CD collection. Adult Chill is for you, offering a soothing blend of singer-songwriters, melodic electronic, and all flavors and eras of rock. Norah Jones meets Moby meets acoustic Led Zep. Chill like a grown-up. You deserve it.

LGBT Pride

Celebrate LGBT Pride with a Slacker Radio station that's as diverse as the gay community itself. You'll hear anthems from "I Will Survive" to "Born This Way," plus out and proud artists from Adam Lambert to Frank Ocean. And of course we've got all the hot dance tracks to soundtrack your Pride celebrations.

Lollapalooza 2012

What started as a touring music festival in 1991 by Jane's Addiction frontman Perry Farrell, Lollapalooza has become a definitively unique music experience. Today, Lollapalooza takes place every summer in historic Grant Park, Chicago, between the iconic Chicago skyline and the shores of Lake Michigan. Lollapalooza 2012 Radio plays music from the artists playing this year’s festival including today’s biggest stars and the hottest up-and-coming Indie and Electronic acts taking the stage in Chicago from August 3-5, 2012.

The Current

The Current brings you the best authentic new music alongside the music that inspired it, from unique to universal, indie to influential, new to nostalgic. Broadcasting from the musical hotbed that is Minnesota, listen to The Current and you’ll see why we say, “Great Music Lives Here.” Find playlist, interviews and more at thecurrent.org.

Hip Hop

Hip Hop not only represents a genre of music, but a social culture. It’s the collective talent of all the artists that have made it what it is today. On Hip Hop on Slacker you’ll hear deeper album cuts as well as the hits, including Jay-Z, Run DMC, Kanye West, Notorious B.I.G and Common. The evolution of Hip Hop is here on Slacker.

Alternative Chill

Alternative Chill on Slacker Radio is the ultimate "Easy Listening for Hipsters." The station is a hybrid of Electronic Chill artists, singer/songwriters and Indie rock songs that dip into the ethereal. You can expect to hear Jeff Buckley, Thievery Corporation, Radiohead, Sigur Ros, Nada Surf, Massive Attack, Air, Nick Drake, Portishead, Everything But the Girl and even some surprises like Billie Holiday or Pink Floyd! It's the perfect station to kick back and unwind, so, open a bottle of wine, light some candles and relax.

Frank Ocean

This station plays the best music from and music from related artists like The Weeknd, RaVaughn, Sevyn Streeter, Elle Varner, Miguel, Wale & Omarion, The Weekend, Jonn Hart, Jarvis, Tamar Braxton and more.

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Frank Ocean's Selected Discography (7)

Novacane

DIGITAL20111 Songs

Artists Related to Frank Ocean (50)

	The Weeknd	Allegedly “shrouded in mystery” despite social media presence (with accompanying photos) on Twitter, Tumblr, Facebook, Soundcloud, and YouTube, as well as major support from fellow Torontonian Drake, alternative R&B act the Weeknd -- a solo outlet for vocalist Abel Tesfaye -- surfaced in March 2011 with House of Balloons.
	RaVaughn
	Sevyn Streeter	Songwriter and vocalist Amber Streeter (aka Ambee, Se7en, Sevyn) was the first member of TG4, a pop-R&B outfit put together by Chris Stokes (Immature, B2K).
	Elle Varner	One of the most promising R&B artists to emerge during the early 2010s, singer and songwriter Elle Varner grew up in a musical family -- one that spent much of its time together in recording studios.
	Miguel	Singer, songwriter, and producer Miguel (born Miguel Jontel Pimentel) spent a handful of years behind the scenes and flirted with the mainstream before he released his first hit single and became one of pop-R&B's most significant artists.
	Wale & Omarion
	The Weekend
	Jonn Hart	Bay Area vocalist Jonn Hart broke into mainstream R&B radio in 2012 with a chiming, booming, and raunchy number titled "Who Booty" -- an introduction to a sound he called "R&Bay slap.
	Jarvis
	Tamar Braxton	Tamar Braxton's entry into the music industry came through her five-member sibling group, the Braxtons, which featured older sisters Traci, Trina, Towanda and, most notably, Toni.
	B. Smyth	R&B singer/songwriter B. Smyth got his start as one of millions of teenagers uploading YouTube videos of himself covering other artists' songs.
	Q Parker	A member of 112, an R&B group that amassed seven Top Ten R&B hits and a pair of multi-platinum albums while on the Bad Boy and Def Soul labels, Atlanta native Quinnes "Q" Parker first stepped out as a solo artist in the late 2000s.
	Elle Varner
	Bei Maejor	A producer, songwriter, and singer from Southfield, Michigan, Bei Maejor (Brandon Green) broke into the music industry in 2005.
	Diggy	The kind of talented kid who had a recording contract before a driver's license, Diggy Simmons is a rapper, reality television star, fashion mogul, and descendent of hip-hop royalty.
	Marcus Canty	As a youngster growing up in Palmer Park, Maryland, Marcus Canty developed loves for acting, basketball, and singing.
	Domo Genesis
	Urban Mystic	Contemporary R&B upstart Urban Mystic, the son of a church minister, grew up in a world of music and made his jump into the industry while still a teenager.
	MellowHype	Part of the strange and underground universe that is Odd Future, MellowHype are a splinter group featuring members Hodgy Beats and Left Brain.
	Kreayshawn	Born Natassia Zolot, the San Francisco, California-based rapper and director is better known by her stage name, Kreayshawn.
	Earl Sweatshirt	Born Thebe Kgositsile, Earl Sweatshirt is a Los Angeles-based rapper and member of the Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All (OFWGKTA) crew.
	Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All	Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All, a ten-member cult rap collective from L.A., bring to mind a younger, crazier Wu-Tang Clan -- if the Clan had skateboarded and rhymed about drugs and gore instead of chess and kung-fu.
	Luke James	Luke James (aka Luke Boyd) injected some maturity into early-2010s contemporary R&B. As a child growing up in New Orleans, Louisiana, he was inspired while watching a Showtime at the Apollo contestant perform Donny Hathaway's version of Leon Russell's "A Song for You.
	Odd Future	Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All, a ten-member cult rap collective from L.A., bring to mind a younger, crazier Wu-Tang Clan -- if the Clan had skateboarded and rhymed about drugs and gore instead of chess and kung-fu.
	Lil B	Equally inspired by Prince and 2Pac, Lil B is an eccentric, ambitious rapper who came up with the Bay Area's the Pack, a group that had a hit with the sneaker-loving track "Vans.
	Alex Boyd	An entertainer since early childhood, Virginia native Alex Boyd had his life changed in multiple ways when he was accepted into Washington, D.
	J. Cole
	Verse Simmonds
	Daley	Compared to Simply Red's Mick Hucknall due to his Manchester, England origin, red hair, and R&B roots -- the parallels end there, really -- Gareth Daley kicked his career into gear once he submitted a low-key but affecting ballad, "Rainy Day," to the BBC.
	Kirko Bangz	Coming across like a less sensitive, Houstonian version of Drake, Kirko Bangz is a Southern rapper -- and occasional singer -- who released his first charting single, “What Yo Name Iz,” in late 2010.
	Mateo
	Kendrick Lamar	Compton, California's Kendrick Lamar initially rapped as K. Dot and released a series of mixtapes under that name.
	Ester Dean	Ester Dean's singing aspirations were so strong that she cold-called recording studios around her Oklahoma home and ingratiated herself enough to provide vocals on demos.
	Joey Bada$$
	Jeremih	Born and bred on Chicago's South Side, R&B singer Jeremih taught himself how to play several instruments and didn't consider himself a vocalist until a warmly received performance at a talent show.
	Trey Songz	Although Trey Songz loved hip-hop while growing up, the only R&B he could get into was R. Kelly. When his friends heard his perfect tenor voice, however, they pushed him to drop rap and start crooning.
	J Hene Aiko
	The-Dream	R&B singer/songwriter and producer Terius Youngdell Nash, better known as the-Dream, was born in Rockingham, North Carolina, but moved to Atlanta, Georgia, with his mother at the age of three.
	TGT	Longtime friends and veteran R&B singers Tyrese, Ginuwine, and Tank formed a trio, dubbed TGT, in 2007.
	Day26	With a sound somewhere between 112 and an urban *NSYNC, the vocal group Day26 formed during the fourth season of MTV's Making the Band.
	Mindless Behavior	Put together by producers Vincent Herbert (Toni Braxton, Destiny’s Child, Lady Gaga) and Walter Millsap (Alicia Keys, Beyoncé), Mindless Behavior is a pop-R&B group featuring singers and dancers Princeton, Prodigy, Ray Ray, and Roc Royal.
	Estelle	Able to rap, sing, and write songs that had everyone from John Legend to Roots Manuva singing her praises, Estelle Swaray got her start in London's renowned hip-hop record store Deal Real.
	Solange	Solange Knowles, the younger sister of Beyoncé Knowles, studied dance and theater as a child and made her singing debut at age five at an amusement park.
	Omarion	B2K lead vocalist Omarion (born Omari Ismael Grandberry) went solo in 2005 with O, featuring production help from the Neptunes, Rodney Jerkins, and the Underdogs.
	Childish Gambino	When he’s not busy writing for television, performing with his sketch group Derrick Comedy, or acting on the NBC comedy Community, Donald Glover somehow finds the time to make beats and rap as his alter ego, Childish Gambino.
	Kelly Rowland	Kelly Rowland rose to fame with the success of Destiny's Child during the late '90s. During that time, Destiny's Child catapulted into the new millennium as one of the best-selling female musical groups in history.
	The Cool Kids	Part of the mid-2000s hip-hop movement that found kids in all-over prints rapping about their shoes and their favorite forms of transportation (which often weren't cars), the Cool Kids proved to be both an Internet and live show phenomenon.
	J. Cole	Producer and MC J. Cole was the first artist to signed to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation label. Born in Germany but raised in North Carolina, Cole grew up with a mother who loved rock and folk while his father was a fan of hardcore hip-hop artists like 2Pac and Ice Cube.
	LoveRance	Hailing from the Bay Area of San Francisco, LoveRance -- real name Rance Oliver -- made the transition between independent local rapper and international major-label star within a head-spinning matter of months.
	Curren$y	Thanks to his smart lyrics, the Louisiana-based Curren$y landed a label deal in 2003, but it took three labels and seven years of underground releases before the rapper made his official debut.

All Related Artists

Top Songs by Frank Ocean (33)

Thinkin Bout You

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