Frank Ocean's 'Channel Orange' Arrives One Week Early
By Rob Markman
It’s been a hell of a week for Frank Ocean. Last Wednesday the Odd Future singer/songwriter sent shockwaves through the music industry when he revealed that he once had a love affair with a man and after much conversation, analysis and speculation, Ocean finally released his major label debut Channel Orange one week before it’s July 17 scheduled release.
The digital drop came hours before Ocean’s scheduled appearance on “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon.” Andre 3000, John Mayer and Frank’s Wolf Gang cohort Earl Sweatshirt all appear on the LP which also features production from Pharrell Williams.
What doesn’t appear on Channel Orange however is the passage that Ocean posted on his Tumblr last week where he revealed that his first true love affair was with another man when he was 19 years old. The “Thinkin Bout You” singer said that he originally intended the tell-all to appear in his album’s liner notes, but it is no where to be found on the digital booklet that comes with the iTunes release.
MTV News recently gathered a team of hip-hop experts to share their thoughts on how Frank Ocean's revelation will affect his career, and Vibe executive editor Datwon Thomas believes Ocean's talent and honesty can help push the hip-hop community in a positive direction. "It really has to be a situation with someone that the hip-hop community respects," Thomas said. "Outside of Odd Future, Jay-Z and Kanye, the biggest icons in hip-hop, living legends, they've accepted him already."
Will you be purchasing Frank Ocean's Channel Orange? Let us know in the comments!
