Videos: Frank Ocean

Swim Good

Christopher Francis Ocean (born Christopher Breaux; March 14, 1987), better known by his stage name Frank Ocean, is an American singer-songwriter from New Orleans, Louisiana. He is a member of OFWGKTA.

Ocean was evacuated from the University of New Orleans to Los Angeles California just as Hurricane Katrina hit in August 2005, and stayed to pursue a music career. Ocean joined Los Angeles based hip hop collective OFWGKTA, who he met through his connections, at the end of 2009. In late 2009, he met Tricky Stewart, who helped Ocean sign a contract with Def Jam Recordings as a solo artist, however, he was initially unable to build a relationship with the company. In 2010, he changed his name from Christopher Breaux to Christopher Francis Ocean via a legal website.
2011-present

Ocean has written songs for Justin Bieber[4] (with whom he has recorded a song[6]), John Legend, Brandy,[3] and Beyoncé Knowles ('I Miss You' from the album '4'),[7][8] Ocean has also worked with Nas[9] (on whose 10th studio album Ocean is expected to feature, along with fellow Odd Future members Tyler, the Creator and Hodgy Beats)[10] and Pharrell Williams.[11] On February 18, 2011, Ocean released his first mixtape, nostalgia,ULTRA., to critical acclaim.[3][5] His music mostly focuses on interpersonal relationships, personal reflection and social commentary.[3] NPR's Andrew Noz calls Ocean's songwriting "smart and subtle...setting him apart from the pack."[12] Rolling Stone magazine's Jonah Weiner calls Ocean a "gifted avant-R&B smoothie".[13] In an April 2011 interview, Ocean intimated that his relationship with Def Jam has strengthened since the release of his mixtape.[2]

Ocean appeared in Tyler, the Creator's music video for the single "She", from Tyler's 2011 studio album Goblin.[14][15] Ocean first performed with Odd Future at the Coachella Music & Arts Festival in April of 2011, then later joined his OFWGKTA bandmates for the first time on tour from May 12 to May 19, 2011. They toured the eastern seaboard of the United States.[16] On May 19, 2011 Ocean's record label Def Jam announced its plans to re-release Nostalgia, Ultra as an EP.[17] The single "Novacane" was released to iTunes on May 31, 2011, and the EP originally was set to be released on July 26, 2011, but through his Tumblr blog on July 24th, he stated that it would not be released on that date.[18][19] In June 2011, Ocean revealed on his Tumblr that he would be working on the upcoming Kanye West and Jay-Z collaborative album, Watch the Throne.[20] Ocean was ultimately a writer and featured artist on the tracks "No Church in the Wild" and "Made in America".[21][22] On July 28th, 2011 a song titled "Thinking About You" was leaked on the internet. It was later revealed the song was a reference track and written for Roc Nation artist Bridget Kelly for her first studio album.[23] Kelly who has performed an acoustic version of the song, has renamed it "Thinking About Forever".[24] On September 15, 2011 a music video titled "Thinking of You" was released and were the visuals for Frank Ocean's version of the song, so it is currently unknown on which project the song will end up.[25]
Discography
EPs

2011: nostalgia,LITE

Mixtapes

2011: nostalgia,ULTRA

Singles
As lead artist
List of singles by title, year, peak chart positions, and album Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US US R&B
" Novacane" 2011 82
[26] 17
[26] Nostalgia, Lite
" Swim Good" — 78
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or receive certification.
As a featured artist
List of singles by title, year, peak chart positions, and album Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
" She"
(Tyler, The Creator featuring Frank Ocean) 2011 116 Goblin
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or receive certification.
Guest appearances
List of songs with guest appearances by Frank Ocean Title Year Album Artist(s)
" Hell" 2010 BlackenedWhite MellowHype
" Rico"
" She" 2011 Goblin Tyler, the Creator
" Window"
" No Church In the Wild" Watch the Throne Jay-Z, Kanye West
" Made in America