Frank Ocean

Is Frank Ocean Dropping A New Album Soon?

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It has been a while since fans heard from the elusive Frank Ocean, but after he recently broke radio silence, some fans might be wondering if he’s planning on releasing a new album soon.

Is Frank Ocean Recording New Music?

He must be. On Wednesday night (November 8), he posted an Instagram Story that appeared to contain a snippet of a new song — the first unheard music he’s shared with fans since December 2021, when he played a nine-minute song on his Apple Music show, Blonded Radio. This could be the first indication that more is in store, hyping up some fans for the possibility of a follow-up to 2016’s Blonde. So…

Does Frank Ocean Have An Album On The Way?

Back in April, Frank gave fans the most recent update on a potential album, which is that it exists — but not really(?). During his… “controversial” Coachella set, Frank said, “I want to talk about why I’m here because it’s not because of a new album. It’s because… not that there’s not a new album, just like… but there’s not right now.” Which clears everything right up. If there is, in fact, a new album coming, though, Frank will have plenty to address on it.

What Is Frank Ocean’s New Album About?

To be honest, there’s no telling, but with everything that has happened in the last seven years since Blonde, there’s no shortage of inspiration. We’ve had a global pandemic, an attempted insurrection, the rise and fall of crypto, and the emergence of AI. Black folks reclaimed dance music again, and we all know he has a vested interest in the ball culture that Beyoncé mined so expertly on Renaissance. Frank has also experienced personal turmoil; during Coachella, he talked about the 2020 death of his brother Ryan in a car crash, something that could have affected his music plans.

When Can We Expect A Release Date For Frank Ocean’s New Album?

Whenever Frank feels like revealing one. For what it’s worth, he’s never been fond of the traditional structures of the music industry, releasing Blonde literally a day after the visual album Endless without so much as a cryptic social media post to promote it.

Will Frank Ocean’s New Album Have Features?

Again, there’s little concrete information to go on here. However, judging by Frank’s past output and vast music industry connections, just about anyone from Beyoncé to Tyler The Creator could appear on a future project. While Endless and Blonde were both mostly solo affairs, his debut album Channel Orange contained features from André 3000, Earl Sweatshirt, and John Mayer. As a songwriter, he’s worked with Brandy, John Legend, Justin Bieber, and more, so he could easily call in a few favors.

Frank Ocean Surprises Fans, Teases a Single on Instagram

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Frank Ocean credit Andras Ladocsi

Frank Ocean has a little treat for fans. Hitting Instagram, he released a clip of a single, one minute in length, from nearly four minutes. Additional details about the release are currently slim.

The last trace of Frank Ocean was that one Coachella.

The post Frank Ocean Surprises Fans, Teases a Single on Instagram first appeared on The Source.

The post Frank Ocean Surprises Fans, Teases a Single on Instagram appeared first on The Source.

Frank Ocean Previewed New Music For The First Time In Almost Two Years On His Instagram Story

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Frank Ocean caught a lot of heat — heat that Justin Bieber did not feel was justified — for his abbreviated headlining set at Coachella in April due to “a serious ankle injury after being involved in a bike accident,” which caused Ocean to pull out of the second weekend and reportedly cost Coachella millions of dollars. But there was a silver lining: Ocean casually threw out that he might release a new album soon-ish. (Ocean’s last album was 2016’s Blonde.) On Wednesday night, November 9, he added fuel to that fire on his Instagram Story.

In true Frank Ocean fashion, the Instagram Story is vague. It shows a super close-up screenshot that is not distinguishable, but make sure the volume is up because it would appear Ocean just teased unreleased music for the first time since December 2021 (as chronicled by Pitchfork), when he played a nine-minute untitled track on his Apple Music Blonded Radio channel, which returned again in July 2022.

The new clip on Ocean’s Instagram Story falls squarely within his signature sonic palette that might best be described as “lazy river vibes” and anecdotal lyricism. He sings about “assumptions” and “educated guesses,” boundaries as obstacles, and wanting to “see all your sides / And your heart’s been tangled in barbed wires / You can hand that to me / I can handle it.”

Frank, please take your own advice. You can hand new music to us. We can handle it.

BTS’ RM Is ‘Not Apologizing’ For Sharing Frank Ocean’s ‘Bad Religion’ On Instagram Despite Claims Of Islamophobia

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BTS’ RM has experienced both ends of the fan reception spectrum in recent weeks. During an August Weverse livestream, RM confirmed that BTS will ends its hiatus and “be joining together again” in 2025. BTS Army were predictably thrilled. But, around the same time, RM faced backlash for posting Frank Ocean’s Channel Orange track “Bad Religion” to his Instagram Story because some felt it perpetuated Islamophobia.

On Wednesday, August 30, RM defended himself during yet another Weverse livestream (as captured by several fan accounts).

“OK, guys, I know what you’re talking about,” RM said. “You just keep telling me that I insulted a religion. But I didn’t. There was not any intention or purpose to insult a religion. I respect every beliefs and religions. That’s all I could say. So, please don’t — I know what’s going on in my Instagram. I can see, but I never — there was no such any purpose or, like, at least one percent of my heart or intention to insult a religion, OK?”

Per Billboard, RM continued, “Guys, it’s a song, OK? I’m not apologizing. I’m just saying. I have my own soul. I’m 30 years old. I can express my true thoughts. Please! The word is the word. It is what it is. Please believe my words from myself. Not just guessing, pretending and assuming, OK?”

In the chorus of “Bad Religion,” Ocean sings, “He said, ‘Allahu Akbar’ / I told him, ‘Don’t curse me’ / ‘But boy, you need prayer’ / I guess it couldn’t hurt me / If it brings me to my knees / It’s a bad religion.”

In 2017, CNN contextualized the meaning of “Allahu Akbar,” which means “God is greater,” as “a powerful declaration used by Muslims on many occasions and in many prayers.”

A Rumored Drake And Frank Ocean Collaboration Connected To Zane Lowe Was Ultimately Denied By The Radio Host

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Yesterday (August 21), Drake unveiled the official cover art for his forthcoming solo album, For All The Dogs. Another update came out today about the upcoming project. Although the initial post was taken down, Amazon Music’s official X (formerly Twitter) suggested that the body of work was slated to drop this Friday (August 25).

Rumors have continued to flood social media about what listeners should expect from the album, and somehow Apple Music’s Zane Lowe found himself wrapped up in a major one. According to the outlet Upcoming 100, Lowe hinted that Drake and Frank Ocean were working on a collaboration.

However, the journalist denied that he ever said such a thing. During an exchange with a user in a now-deleted post, Lowe shot down the claim, writing, “Never happened. I haven’t even been live on the radio for the last two weeks. Completely false [shrugging emoji].”

Not including the album’s cover art, the last major update Drake shared regarding For All The Dogs was around the release of his poetry book in June. “I made an album to go with the book. They say they miss the old Drake girl; don’t tempt me. For all the dogs,” the rapper wrote in a post promoting his literary work.

Frank Ocean’s “Endless” And “Channel Orange” Have A Unique Connection

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Frank Ocean has been an intriguing artist ever since he released Nostalgia, Ultra in 2011. His fans have been chomping at the bit for new music. Whether that be an album, single, EP, you name it, his supporters will take anything they can get at this point. Furthermore, his performance, or lack thereof, at Coachella has left people wondering where Frank is going to go next. Essentially, any sort of positive news surrounding him will be good for fans to digest, even if it is not related to music.

Recently, a podcast called the “Dissect Podcast,” uploaded a TikTok video. The account is run by Cole Cuchna and has won awards such as the NY Times Top Podcast and nabbing a Webby Award in 2020. Most of the content surrounds hip-hop and R&B music with lyric breakdowns, discoveries of artists, and more. In a recent collaboration with “The Ringer,” they debated about what Frank Ocean’s best song of all time was. In that discussion, an interesting connection was found between his two albums, Channel Orange and Endless.

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A Never-(End)ing Relation For Frank Ocean

@dissectpodcast

What is Frank Ocean’s best song ever? On Last Song Standing, we’re attempting to answer that question by debating through his entire catalog, one album per episode. Listen on the Dissect podcast feed on Spotify. #frankocean #endless #channelorange #musicanalysis #blonde

♬ original sound – dissectpodcast

The tie between these two projects starts at the end of Channel Orange. During the closer “End,” a skit portraying a confession of love to someone in a car. It pays tribute to the 2006 film ATL. During this part of the movie, Aaliyah’s song “(At Your Best) You Are Love” comes on the radio. That happens to be the track that Frank Ocean sings a gorgeous rendition of to kick off his 2016 album Endless. It is a very subtle flow into his next record, but it speaks to the genius of Frank Ocean.

Did you catch this connection between Channel Orange and Endless? Out of these two projects, which is your favorite? Do you think Frank Ocean will come out with new music anytime soon? Be sure to tell us all of your thoughts in the comments section below. Stay tapped into HNHH for all news around music. We will always be sure to keep you informed.

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The post Frank Ocean’s “Endless” And “Channel Orange” Have A Unique Connection appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Earl Sweatshirt Will Perform His ‘Doris’ Album In Full For Its Upcoming Tenth Anniversary

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Earl Sweatshirt most recently released Sick! at the top of 2022, an album that Joe Budden didn’t particularly like. But given its No. 80 debut on the Billboard 200, it looks like most everyone else did.

“Even though he’s grown up, though, there remains an element of inscrutability in his music, a chip on his shoulder that has been reduced in size but is no less embedded in the fabric of his being,” Uproxx‘s Aaron Williams wrote in his Sick! review, later noting, “You won’t be hearing many requests for Earl’s new music at any clubs or parties anytime soon (none you’d want to go to, anyway). But what feels more important is that Earl is in a good place, mentally and emotionally, and that’s translated to art that is proportionately more enjoyable.”

You can hear Earl’s music at The Novo in Los Angeles soon enough, however. He announced on Wednesday, June 28, that he will be performing a one-off 10-year anniversary show at the venue on August 19 to commemorate the August 20, 2013 release of Doris.

“He’ll perform Doris in full for the first time ever,” Stereogum relayed. “Domo Genesis is also on the bill, and it would not be a surprise if some of the album’s other featured guests made appearances as well.”

Doris‘ other featured artists were Casey Veggies, Frank Ocean, the late Mac Miller, RZA, SK Laflare, Tyler The Creator, and Vince Staples.

Frank Ocean Makes Rare Appearance At Beyonce’s London Tour Date

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Frank Ocean is not the type to make public appearances. The artist also hasn’t released new music in years. Because of this, it was no surprise that someone tried to make money from an AI version of him. Earlier this month, Frank fell victim to an unfortunate incident where his voice was replicated using artificial intelligence. This led to a scammer profiting immensely from it. The scammer, known as “mourningassassin,” shared a series of AI-generated tracks on Discord. They took advantage of fans’ long-standing desire for new music from the California singer. He hasn’t released an album since his 2016 effort Blond.

In an interview with Motherboard, the scammer disclosed their method of hiring a musician to create nine counterfeit Frank Ocean tracks. The musician used top-notch vocal snippets of Ocean’s voice. The scammer uploaded one of these snippets on the platform in early April. Of course, it captured the attention of numerous fans of the singer. Among those who reached out were two buyers who were willing to pay a substantial amount for Frank Ocean’s music collection. The scammer claimed to have made approximately $13,000 from this deceptive scheme.

Frank Tries To Go Incognito At A Beyonce Show

Frank Ocean tends to be more than a little bit reclusive. As such, he understandably surprised fans by making a rare public appearance at Beyoncé’s “Renaissance” Tour show in London. Known for his elusive nature, his presence at the event garnered significant attention. Despite trying to blend in by wearing a hoodie, pictures and videos emerged of him in the crowd. At one point, it seems as though he waves at some people that noticed him. The videos were posted on the HipHopDX twitter, which you can see above.

It’s not surprising that Frank Ocean and Beyoncé share a connection, considering their previous collaborations. They have worked together on tracks such as “I Miss You” from Beyoncé’s album 4, “Superpower” from her self-titled album, and Frank Ocean’s “Pink & White” from his acclaimed Blond album. Joining the list of notable guests at Beyoncé’s European shows were Megan Thee Stallion and Future, who were spotted attending her Paris performance. What do you think of Frank Ocean’s reclusive nature? Let us know in the comments below!