Frank Ocean (born Christopher Breaux, 28.10.1987) Frank Ocean is an American R&B singer songwriter who rose to fame on the release of his debut album 'Channel Orange' which charted at number two in the US Billboard 200 in 2012.
Childhood: Frank Ocean was born in Long Beach, California but later moved to New Orleans, Louisiana when he was five. As a teenager he took up numerous small jobs in order to save money to record his music in a studio. He attended the University of New Orleans where he continued to record his music, even setting up his own studio. In 2005, following the disaster that was Hurricane Katrina, he found his recording studio had been looted and flooded.
Musical Career: Frank Ocean moved to LA after University where he signed a songwriting deal and subsequently became a ghost writer for artists such as Brandy, Justin Bieber and John Legend. In 2009 he became a member of the hip hop collective OFWGKTA (aka Odd Future) and released his critically acclaimed 'Nostalgia, Ultra' mixtape alongside charting singles 'Novacane' and 'Swim Good'. Soon after, he signed a deal with Def Jam recordings and legally changed his name to Christopher Francis Ocean inspired by 1960 movie 'Ocean's 11'. In 2011, he featured on Kanye West and Jay Z's 2011 album 'Watch The Throne' contributing on the tracks 'No Church in the Wild' and 'Made In America'. His debut album 'Channel Orange' came out in July 2012 a week earlier than had been announced. It debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200. It was promoted with three singles: 'Thinkin Bout You', 'Pyramids' and 'Sweet Life'. He came second in the BBC's Sound of 2012 poll and has performed at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival as well as Lollapalooza. He has collaborated with artists such as Nas, Pharrell Williams and Tyler, The Creator over his relatively short career. Frank Ocean: Personal Life Before the release of his album, Frank Ocean became one of the first African-American R&B artists to come out as having had homosexual relationships. He announced the fact in a blog on Tumblr thanking those who have stood by him for their support and commented: 'I don't know what happens now, and that's alrite. I don't have any secrets I need kept anymore...I feel like a free man.' Frank Ocean: Legal Issues Frank Ocean sampled The Eagles' hit song 'Hotel California' for his track 'American Wedding' without asking the band's permission. Frank suggested the band felt 'intimidated' by his rendition but they retorted that what he did was illegal. Having initially not considered taking legal action, the band are rethinking their decision.
Biography by Contactmusic.com