Frank Ocean's Bisexual Reveal And Reactions From The Hip-Hop World

posted in: Music News • Pop • Urban

OFWGKTA R&B singer Frank Ocean has made headlines after opening up about his sexuality and revealing his attraction to both men and women. Rumors regarding the crooner’s sexuality began to fly after a media listening party for his yet to be released debut LP, Channel Orange. Blogger This Is Max was the first to note intriguging word choices in the R&B crooners lyrics, reporting that, “On the songs ˜Bad Religion’ ˜Pink Matter and ˜Forrest Gump’ you can hear him sing about being in love and there are quite obvious words used like ˜him’ and not ˜her’.” After two days of media spectulation, Ocean posted a excerpt from the liner notes of  Channel Orange to address the issue. “4 summers ago I met somebody,” Ocean wrote. “I was 19 years old. He was too… By the time I realized I was in love, it was malignant.”

The response to Ocean’s self-outing has been nearly universally positive from the hip-hop community at large, both fans and artists alike. In a statement posted on GlobalGrind, media mogul Russell Simmons called Ocean “courageous,” saying, “Frank, we thank you. We support you. We love you.”

Many rappers took to twitter to express support and for the R&B singer. Solange Knowles wrote “I salute you, brave soul. Independence Day. @frank_ocean” Mac Miller also chimed in as well, tweeting, “frank ocean is very important for the growth of humanity.” Fellow members of Odd Future also commented on the matter. Earl Sweatshirt posted that he was simply, “Proud of Frank.” And OF mastermind Tyler, The Creator had a predictably light hearted and absurd reaction to the news regarding Ocean, saying,”My Big Brother Finally Fucking Did That. Proud Of That Nigga Cause I Know That Shit Is Difficult Or Whatever. Anyway. Im A Toilet.” The outpouring of support is all the more notable considering the historic and ongoing associations between hip-hop and homophobia.

Listen to the first single from Channel Orange, “Pyramids,” below.