Nov 21, 2012 1:09PM
Frank Ocean Talks Bisexuality, Being Rich But Sad & Joining Odd Future
#realtalk
Frank Ocean shot by Nabil Elderkin for Oyster #93
Frank Ocean redefines the meaning of 'real talk' in his GQ interview which is part of their Men of the Year issue. The rapper, who we featured in Oyster #93, speaks candidly about moving to LA and meeting Odd Future ("The do-it-yourself mentality of OF really rubbed off on me"), being rich but miserable ("I was at a real dark time in my life"), growing up without a father ("I haven't seen him since [I was 6]") and, of course, his sexuality.
He explains what propelled him to publish his notorious coming out letter. A journalist 'very harmlessly' wrote a review of channel ORANGE before its official release, drawing attention to the male pronouns used in the songs. "I was just like, 'Fuck it. Talk about it, don't talk about it — talk about this.' No more mystery. Through with that," he says, adding, "the night I posted it, I cried like a fucking baby. It was like all the frequency just clicked to a change in my head. All the receptors were now receiving a different signal, and I was happy. I hadn't been happy in so long. I've been sad again since, but it's a totally different take on sad. There's just some magic in truth and honesty and openness."
Despite the industry largely displaying support for Frank's coming out, he says that he was worried that it would negatively affect his career. "In black music, we've got so many leaps and bounds to make with acceptance and tolerance in regard to that issue... Some people said, "He's saying he fell in love with a guy for hype." As if that's the best hype you can get in hip-hop or black music."
He also opens up about being with girls for the sake of pleasing others: "You don't even feel smart or capable. You just feel broken — and not just your heart. Just a broken person."
The journalist concludes the interview with an obvious, and perhaps inappropriate, question, asking the rapper if he considers himself bisexual. "You can move to the next question. I'll respectfully say that life is dynamic and comes along with dynamic experiences, and the same sentiment that I have towards genres of music, I have towards a lot of labels and boxes and shit. I'm in this business to be creative... As a writer, as a creator, I'm giving you my experiences. But just take what I give you. You ain't got to pry beyond that. I'm giving you what I feel like you can feel. The other shit, you can't feel."
In the interview, he also reveals that he is working on songs for Alicia Keys and Beyoncé as well as writing his third album.
Ingrid Kesa
