Frank Ocean

Coming out gay & on top

FROM writing songs for such artists as Beyoncé, Brandy, Justin Bieber and John Legend to finally singing his own songs, Frank Ocean has come a long way.

His debut album Channel Orange was released in mid 2012. The album was received well and even gained him six Grammy nominations including album of the year.

The album s nomination was driven by the singles Thinkin Bout You, Pyramids and Sweet Life, which also did extremely well on the charts.

We first heard of Frank Ocean when we heard his hit singles Novacane and Swim Good that topped music play lists across the world. Both were lead singles off his debut mixed tape Nostalgia, Ultra.

Soon after the release of his mixed tape, Ocean caught the attention of Kanye West and Jay-Z, which led to him working with the duo on their Watch The Throne project and he collaborated with them on their smash hit single No Church In The Wild.

The rising star s personal life became the centre of attention when he revealed, weeks before the release of his debut album, that he was gay. Critics argued that it might have been a publicity stunt to boost his debut album sales, but it turns out the revelation is true.

But Ocean s sexuality has nothing to do with the fact that he is one of the most talented singers and songwriters to have emerged last year.

There might have been rumours that Channel Orange will be Ocean s first and last album but things are going so well for him it doesn t look like he ll stop singing any time soon.

In an age when everyone seems to be singing about the same thing and bragging about material possessions, Ocean s deeply emotional lyrical content makes his music truly unique.

DID YOU KNOW? Beyoncé and Jay-Z have supported Ocean s sexuality choice.

He is a member of alternative hip-hop group OFWGKTA.

He was voted man of the year by Vibe magazine.

He made his television debut on the Late Night With Jimmy Fallon show.