The mixtape made Ocean widely known and led to his collaborations with rappers Jay-Z and Kanye West. In April 2011, Ocean stated that his relationship with Def Jam had strengthened since the release of the Nostalgia, Ultra. Rolling Stone magazine's Jonah Weiner wrote that Ocean was a 'gifted avant-R&B smoothie'. NPR's Andrew Noz said Ocean's songwriting is 'smart and tting him apart from the pack'. The mixtape focuses on interpersonal relationships, personal reflection and social commentary. On February 16, 2011, Ocean self-released the resulting mixtape, Nostalgia, Ultra online for free.

Ocean felt neglected by the label, and began working on a mixtape on his own without their input. In late 2009, he met Tricky Stewart, who helped him sign a writing contract with Def Jam Recordings. His friendship with Odd Future member Tyler, the Creator reinvigorated Ocean's songwriting. Soon after, he joined Los Angeles-based hip hop collective Odd Future, whom he had met in 2009. He adopted the stage name Frank Ocean, getting the name from Frank Sinatra and the 1960s film Ocean's 11, which Sinatra starred in. But that's not why I moved away from school and away from family.' Ocean later said of his work at the time, 'There was a point where I was composing for other people, and it might have been comfy to continue to do that and enjoy that income stream and the anonymity. After getting a songwriting deal, Ocean wrote songs for artists including Justin Bieber, Beyonce, John Legend, and Brandy. In less than three years, he established himself as a songwriter under the name Lonny Breaux, getting the first name 'Lonny' after his grandfather named Lionel, whom Ocean hung out with often in his childhood. In 2006, Ocean moved to Los Angeles to pursue his music career, working at various fast-food and service jobs to support himself. Career 2006–2011: Career beginnings, Odd Future and Nostalgia, Ultra He stayed there for a brief time before dropping out to focus on his music career. However, Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans in August 2005, destroying his home and personal recording facility and forcing him to transfer to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. After graduating from John Ehret High School in New Orleans in 2005, Ocean enrolled in the University of New Orleans to study English. When he was five years old, he and his family relocated to New Orleans. Ocean was born on October 28, 1987, in Long Beach, California. 2.4 2017–present: Blonded Radio, singles and Homer.2.1 2006–2011: Career beginnings, Odd Future and Nostalgia, Ultra.From 2017 onwards, Ocean released sporadic singles, worked as a photographer for magazines, and launched the fashion brand Homer. It was his first number-one album on the US Billboard 200 and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Blonde expanded on Ocean's experimental musical approach and ranked first on Pitchfork 's list of the best albums of the 2010s decade. Ocean self-released his second studio album, Blonde, a day after Endless 's release. He was named by Time as one of the world's most influential people in 2013.Īfter a four-year hiatus, Ocean released a visual album titled Endless in 2016 to fulfill contractual obligations with Def Jam. At the 2013 Grammy Awards, Channel Orange was nominated for Album of the Year and won Best Urban Contemporary Album one of its singles, ' Thinkin Bout You', was nominated for Record of the Year.

His first studio album, the eclectic Channel Orange (2012), incorporated R&B and soul styles. The following year, he released his first mixtape, Nostalgia, Ultra, and subsequently secured a recording contract with Def Jam Recordings. Ocean began his musical career as a ghostwriter, prior to joining the hip hop collective Odd Future in 2010. Ocean has won two Grammy Awards and a Brit Award for International Male Solo Artist among other accolades, and his two studio albums have been listed on Rolling Stone 's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time (2020). His works are noted by music critics for featuring avant-garde styles and introspective, elliptical lyrics. Christopher Francis Ocean (born Christopher Edwin Breaux October 28, 1987), is an American singer, songwriter, and rapper.

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