Frank Ocean

Frank Ocean stated, “There’s just some magic in truth, and honesty, and openness” (Finn). Many have mentioned that Frank Ocean has impacted their lives for the better with his music and how respected he is. Ocean is a Black American and bisexual, so it’s truly incredible how significant of a platform he holds. Frank Ocean is one of the only male singers/rappers of color that is a part of the LGBTQ+ community. Right before he dropped his first album in 2012, he exposed his vulnerability and inspired individuals to recognize who they are. Ocean attains relatability beyond just his music platform, which gives him the improbable ability to shake up more than just “his area” of the world. Frank Ocean has advocated for the LGBTQ+ Community and Black Lives Matter Movement through his songs to show that every part of humanity matters. Also, he shows that no matter how much we try to hide who we are, there is still a part of each and every one of us that can make a difference in a divided world. 

To start, Frank Ocean focuses on creating racial equality through his advocacy for people of color and their importance in this world. W Magazine did an interview with Frank Ocean after the 2018 Midterm Elections, and Ocean gave t-shirts to swing district voters to reward their votes: “ ‘I would replace the word “responsibility” with “opportunity” when it comes to voting, because you have the right to do nothing, but you have an opportunity to do so much more…There’s truth to this idea that every generation has something really big to be afraid of—at least one thing that affects their survival or their quality of life…’ ” (Solway). Frank Ocean used his platform to unify a swing district, a politically divided state, to reward the community for voting in general, rather than sending them into a drive against one another. Ocean has utilized his position in society to inform individuals on just how impactful voting is and taking up on an “opportunity” rather than a “responsibility” in your community. He also introduced the fact that each generation of able voters have things to be afraid of, but it is standing up to those injustices to truly make change. Additionally, Times magazine has displayed the significance of black culture and freedom in the music industry. People of color have the same right to express themselves as any other person, and that should be valued and practiced (Moore). Time magazine’s insight is showing how Frank Ocean has inspired musicians and people of color to outwardly express their beliefs and not be afraid to do so. Judgment is a common aspect in our world today, especially when dealing with racial inequality, as it is so divided. Despite all this, Frank Ocean is proving that every person of color can express themselves through music and express topics that the world is too afraid to shine a light on. 

Moreover, Frank Ocean focuses on advocating for and supporting the LGBTQ+ community, as he is a member himself. Frank Ocean explained that his album sales and popularity are a testament to the state of homophobia in music, specifically hip-hop, and how both can be interwoven in our society (Freeman). This expert testimony demonstrates how Frank Ocean was not focused on the money he would make or how many people who listen to his music. He is just aspired to make a difference in this world and hopefully give support to people who truly need it. He was willing to take the risk and test the waters to see if the hip-hop community had evolved like the rest of the world had. To add to this, Ocean advocates for the LGBTQ+ community in a very powerful statement: “ ‘I believe that marriage isn't between a man and woman: but between love and love’ ”(Ocean). Frank Ocean communicates these words through a song called We all Try, in 2011. Ocean opened up to society through a letter confessing to being bisexual and how his life has molded him to be the man he is. Gay marriage was not legalized until 2015, so speaking up about this through his music had great ability to end his career as a whole. Ocean saw his music as an opportunity to reach out of society’s mold, and touch individuals who had struggled to be themselves for what they felt like had been their entire lives.