S. Samuel
Grammy-winning singer Alicia Keys speaks on her admiration for fellow R&B artist Frank Ocean and his daring decision to come out on his bisexuality last summer in the new issue of Complex.
Within her feature, Keys explains the importance of entertainers like Ocean taking chances and forcing the world to acknowledge diversity.
During the drive she talks about music in a soft voice. Alicia’s been listening to Frank Ocean lately. She appreciates his songwriting–he cowrote “One Thing” on her new album–and admires the courage of the open letter he wrote about his sexuality. “That was super brave and I’m so glad that he wrote it,” she says. “He is the voice for so many people. We’re all boxed in to these stupid things that we’re taught is the way we’re supposed to be and it’s so ridiculous. There are so many people that need a champion to assure them that no matter who you are, you are a beautiful person. That doesn’t change the fact that you’re talented or intelligent. Thank God that we have come to this place where we can actually know and be more open to the fact that people come in all different ways. And that’s great because it’s a very boring world otherwise.” (Complex)
Back in September, Pittsburgh rapper Mac Miller applauded Ocean’s decision.
Mac continued to salute Frank Ocean for speaking on his sexuality back on July 4. “I think it was the dopest shit anyone’s done this year,” Mac Miller said. “Him coming out and being gay was cool as f*ck. Because it was like alright… No one’s done that sh*t before. That’s like risky as hell. And I’m sure there’s a lot of people who could, but he made the illest music and then said that and people were like, ‘Okay. Whatever. It doesn’t matter. … I am just curious as if he would have came out like that from the start, what would it be like. But I’m glad it happened. I think it was dope. That was legendary.” (Billboard)
Since his summer announcement, the singer has been name-dropped in raps including Lil Wayne‘s “Turn On The Lights” remix.
There’s a new way of declaring “no homo” before complimenting another dude’s ridiculous abs or quipping that homie’s butt sags in JNCO jeans. His name is Frank Ocean. Lil Wayne has reduced the Odd Future crooner and sexually explorative breakthrough R&B star to a questionably homophobic slang on his latest track, a remix of Future’s “Turn on the Lights.” Instead of yelling “no homo,” Wayne claims “no Frank Ocean” when his sexual orientation’s threatened. And just so there’s no confusion, Weezy also admits on the track that he eats “p*ssy for breakfast.” The “Turn on the Lights” remix surfaced earlier this morning, about two weeks after the Young Money Cash Money capo dropped his latest mixtape, Dedication 4. On “Lights,” Wayne raps, “Tell her I skate/I ain’t got no worries/No Frank Ocean, I’m straight,” replacing his once-ubiquitous “no homo” phrase with an unnecessary personal jab. (Miami New Times)
A few months ago, Frank revealed the truth behind releasing his open letter on Independence Day.
He said that his open letter was written in December 2011 with a view to include it in the album sleeve notes in order to pre-empt speculation that might arise from some of its songs addressing men. “I knew that I was writing in a way that people would ask questions,” he said. “I knew that my star was rising, and I knew that if I waited I would always have somebody that I respected be able to encourage me to wait longer, to not say it till who knows when.” The Odd Future member also downplayed the risk in his coming out. “People are just afraid of things too much … Sure, evil exists, extremism exists. Somebody could commit a hate crime and hurt me. But they could do the same just because I’m black. They could do the same just because I’m American.” (Guardian)
Check out a past Frank Ocean interview:
