Thu 7 Feb 2013
Frank Ocean Speaks on Label Frustrations, Recording ‘channel ORANGE’ and Plans to Move to Shanghai with ‘The New York Times Magazine’
Posted by Andy B. under interview , life beyond rap , quotes[11] Comments
Frank Ocean doesn’t often grant access for interviews, but with six nominations at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards, which take place this Sunday (Feb. 10), we guess he’s feeling a little more generous. The channel ORANGE crooner allowed The New York Times Magazine to spend time with him in his adopted home of Los Angeles, where he opened up about his frustrations when he first signed to Def Jam—which lead to the free release of his 2011 mixtape, Nostalgia, Ultra—the lengthy, meticulous and somewhat unusual recording process behind his hugely acclaimed debut LP, channel ORANGE, his experiences writing songs and melodies for major label artists early on in his career, and much more. Ocean also revealed his plans to move to Shanghai straight after the Grammys, where he will write “in remote locations for the next two years”—both on music and his first book.
Check out some of the quotes from the interview after the jump…
On Def Jam frustrations:
I don’t know where to begin. I think ultimately the problem with it was that nobody was ready to act on anything, any of the language [of the contract], except the language to keep me in it.
On writing for other artists:
I had a problem listening to anybody. I had a problem listening to A.-and-R.’s telling me how a song was supposed to sound, or what this artist’s vibe was.
On recording channel ORANGE:
Even though [the tracks] were all sketches, there was so much comfort, because I heard in my head how it was going to sound. Now all I’ve got to do is finish it.
On the importance of image:
I have no delusions about my likability, in every scenario. I know that in order to get things done the way you want them, oftentimes your position will be unpopular… That’s why image is so important. That’s why you’ve got to practice brevity when you do interviews like this. I could try to make myself likable to you so you could write a piece that keeps my image in good standing, because I’m still selling this, or I could just say, ‘My art speaks for itself.’
On the power of intangible concepts:
We’re talking about substances, but we forget how intoxicating things that aren’t tangible, things that aren’t chemical substances, are. You forget about it. I’m saying, you know, love. Power. Money, which is power. Freedom. Honesty. Because that explicit truth I was talking about probably had the same effect [on me] as heroin does on some people.
On finding inspiration:
I don’t worry about where [the inspiration] will come from. I think even with [my depression] cured, there’s still so much to pull from. I know people like to say that. You know, ‘It’s a gift and a curse.’ It’s not a gift. I don’t believe that. I believe it’s just pain. The gift would be the gift whether I went through it or not. We’d just be having a different conversation.
Photo credit: Ryan McGinley for The New York Times
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February 7th, 2013 at 6:05 pm
media darling, i dont know anyone that gave his album a 2nd spin.
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February 7th, 2013 at 8:10 pm
He had a few good songs so far and a couple features. Why is everybody ridin him like he the next marvin gaye? No pun intended. “Overhyped”
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February 7th, 2013 at 8:31 pm
prince of pop ?
so just going act like Justin don’t still make music
Pick one timberlake or Bieber
Bieber just got his 5th number one album youngest to do so
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February 7th, 2013 at 8:33 pm
“How much deeper can Frank Ocean go?”
Paws.
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February 7th, 2013 at 8:37 pm
I DID channel orange was in no way shape or form better than nostalgia ultra i actually thought it was wack but the problem was when a artist sets the bar so high like he did with nostalgia ultra we are lookin for that artist to top it most artist in any genre arent able to do it but i will say frank came pretty damn close after listening with out comparison to nostalgia channel orange is a dope R&B album
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February 7th, 2013 at 8:42 pm
i challenge both of you start with nostalgia ultra then listen to channel orange frank ocean is one of the most TALENTED artist out today R&B at its FINEST
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Andy B. Reply:
February 8th, 2013 at 7:17 am
co-sign
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Stash Reply:
February 8th, 2013 at 8:59 am
I’ve heard them both, if I hadn’t I would not of commented, nostalgia is a good album, channel orange is poor, that’s the general concencus with the people I know, thanks to franks revelations everyone in the media is scared to say a bad word about him.
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aumnie Reply:
February 8th, 2013 at 1:24 pm
you need to fix your ears and get new friends…….
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February 7th, 2013 at 11:48 pm
i wasn’t buying into the frank hype at all bc i know how press hypes up a lot acts. but i give credit bc i became more aware of his music and after hearing his material, i believe the stuff is brilliant.
i’m glad acts like him and weeknd are doing their thing bc r&b was becoming a caricature filled with “r-kelly-isms” over the last decade. the balance is back.
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February 10th, 2013 at 12:32 pm
Word of advice Ocean, do your best not to be media darling – media helped kill the careers of Boy George & George Micheal – they got into gay rights politics to the point that no one questioned their sometimes sick self-indulgences – to do so was seen as homophobic.
As for Elton John – he came out publicly to contradict Moby ending up supporting Eminem in what he saw as a Gay groups backed backlash….Freddie Mercury did his thing – Ocean must refuse these agenda driven sickos the chance to be used – good luck!! The way Frank uses the media meanwhile is iffy at best – be careful.
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