Frank Ocean - Channel Orange (2012)

i don't think there's a significant enough track record of coming out really improving somebody's job prospects

Some people blame the fall of Ellen's 90s sitcom on her coming out. That's probably partially true, but it actually coincided with her show getting less funny.

hope frank doesn't start singing worse

Does that make Michael Stipe the alt-rock Ellen?

lol probably

or the alt-rock Elton

As far as r&b singers, does Johnny Mathis count? Probably not, but he came out in 82, received death threats then went back in for a couple more decades. Then you have someone like Rahsaan Patterson who was never really closeted to begin with.

i think the publicity stunt thing is crazy, also. if we take it a step further than who-has-this-happened-with-before, i don't think there's a significant enough track record of coming out really improving somebody's job prospects for this to be like a sensible gamble.

― blossom smulch (schlump), Wednesday, July 4, 2012 1:58 PM (16 minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

ya from a career standpoint i wouldntve advised this, from a being a human perspective its great tho

lol I just learned right now that Johnny Mathis is out. Of course, this probably says more about how little I pay attention to Johnny Mathis than it does anything else.

pretty sure Beyonce will still request songs -- as long as the album goes multiplatinum, that is.

Maybe Youtube comments are an augury of what to expect...

FUCK THIS FAG....Why tha fuck would i listen to another nigga sing about another nigga...THE HELL WIT FAGS AND SUPPORTERS
chakrasmash 3 minutes ago

it's all been said, but frank's statement is beautiful and everyone should listen to altered ego (at least once)

On Saturday morning I sat at the dining room table in Frank Ocean’s Los Angeles home and, for about three hours, spoke with him about love.

It’s the type of thing that, if you’ve spent time with his music, songs he writes for others and songs he sings himself, you can’t help but do.

lol "once you've heard his music, it's impossible to not end up in his house talking to him"

Thank you for that illuminating c&p, Spectrum

i'd sorta forgot Bowie did it oddly enough. where did he do it? in a big-time interview? i mean.. he was married and all i'm guessing at the time too.

Maybe Youtube comments are an augury of what to expect...

this is even generally speaking the stupidest statement i've ever read

Well hurrr, that was the point.

Bowie declared himself gay in an interview with Melody Maker in 72

xp Actually, Stipe is an interesting example because he didn't become known as "gay rock star Michael Stipe". His sexuality wasn't even mentioned in some of the REM obits. I guess alt-rock is used to gay musicians and by the time he came out his mainstream star had dipped.

why is this turning into a TV Tropes entry for gay musicians

Because piscesx asked a question. Forgive me for not knowing what TV Tropes is.

lucky you

good for him.

Gonna be another to chime in that the liner notes are beautiful. Hope all goes well for him, he seems like a good dude and could turn into a v good songwriter.

he already is

that russel simmons statement is really dope imo

i've been feeling so happy about this all day

Yes, of course
I remember, how could I forget?
How you feel?
And though you were my first time
A new feel
It won't ever get old, not in my soul
Not in my spirit, keep it alive
We'll go down this road
'Til it turns from color to black and white

this is great

times profile: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/08/arts/music/frank-oceans-channel-orange.html?_r=4&pagewanted=all

this story is currently the most read article on bbc news

really? young folk? i guess so; not many in the uk i can think of. i mean famous or gonna-be-stars or celeb types.

There is of course a 19 year old lesbian in the current top 5 of the uk - courtney rumbould of stooshe. She's no Frank Ocean but this has passed without much comment or fanfare. I don't think we're that fussed over here.

Courtney Rumbould of StooShe is fucking awesome, tho. Just as a total side note.

But also, the UK doesn't have quite the same weird relationship with fundamentalist religion and homosexuality as America. In the UK, the Conservative Party is in favour of same-sex marriage. In America, the Republicans are, for the most part, at the beck and call of the religious right and cure-the-gays proponents.

stooshe are unpardonable beasts from the depths of hell

has jessie j weighed in, i wonder?

Courtney Rumbould of StooShe is fucking awesome, tho.

?!?!

i feel confused that a non-britisher has cause to even think about stooshe let alone think...this about them. i thought they were a joke when i first heard them. still kind of do.

i like em

Yeah, me too

they're probably quite nice people but good god do they ever make a grotesque racket

a baleful enough example of the brit desire for self-deprecating-to-the-point-of-total-devaluation "light entertainment" to turn one positively lexish

This is kinda bizarre but amazing in a way:

http://www.stooshe.com/agony-aunt.htm

On topic, I never thought I'd find myself thinking "Speech Debelle OTM", and I've already noticed a lot of people on my Facebook/Twitter who are taking notice of Ocean because of this, purely because they have strong interests/beliefs in LGBT issues.

I never thought I'd find myself thinking "Speech Debelle OTM"

^ this

lol "once you've heard his music, it's impossible to not end up in his house talking to him"

dying @ this

hahaha ya

the first thing that happens after you listen to frank ocean is your phone rings. a voice will say: you have 1 week.

http://www.vladtv.com/images/g_blog_image/110499.jpg

some of the well-meaning responses to this are pretty smh

it's weird that there seems to be a general sense that this is some sort of brilliant marketing thing which seems deeply counterintuitive for someone as on the rise as ocean

i think it'll be good for him in the long run. a year ago there might have been more 'at risk' when "Novacane" was climbing the charts, but after that kinda stalled and none of his other songs hit remotely as big, Def Jam gave him a release date and let him drop a 10-minute single so it seems they decided he's not really a radio artist, and if there's not some attempt at crossover appeal something like this can only intensify his cult/critical following.

Good discussion in this Ta-Nehisi Coates post.

Just heard "Thinking Bout You" on the radio last night.

some dude otm - this doesn't hurt Frank because he's not Trey Songz.

nostalgia ultra was probably my favorite album of the year. happy for him.