Venting about his decision to drop the record his own way, he took to Twitter on March 1, 2011:
"i. did. this. not ISLAND DEF JAM. that's why you see no label logo on the artwork that I DID. guess its my fault for trusting my dumbass lawyer and signing my career over to a failing company. fuck Def Jam & any company that goes the length of signing a kid with dreams & talent w/ no intention of following through. fuck em. now back to my day. i want some oatmeal and toast. brunch swag."
As a member of the Odd Future (OFWGKTA) collective, his sound is distinctively soulful/r&b influenced, yet done in a way that could pass for something totally different. As Tyler, the Creator states, “It’s Smooth Ass Music About Bitches, Relationships And Being A Rich Young Nigga…But In A Swagged Out Way.”
Ocean was evacuated from the University of New Orleans to Los Angeles, California just as Hurricane Katrina hit in August 2005, and stayed in Los Angeles to pursue a music career. Ocean joined Los Angeles based collective OFWGKTA, who he met through mutual friends, at the end of 2009. In the end of 2009, he met Tricky Stewart, who helped Ocean sign a contract with Def Jam Recordings as an artist, however, he was initially unable to build a relationship with the company. In 2010, he changed his name from Christopher "Lonny" Breaux to Christopher Francis Ocean via a legal website. In an April 2011 interview, Ocean intimated that his relationship with Def Jam has strengthened since the release of his mixtape. On April 28, 2011, Ocean was arrested on unspecified charges by the LAPD, and was released on the morning after on April 29, 2011. Ocean joined his OFWGKTA bandmates for the first time on tour from May 12 to May 19, 2011. On May 31, 2011, Def Jam released the single Novacane on iTunes soon followed by Swim Good Taken from his mixtape Nostalgia, ULTRA. His first 'proper' album, Channel Orange was released on July 17, 2012.
In 2016, He released the visual album Endless alongside his second studio album Blonde, following several years of delays. Blonde debuted at number one in the United States and United Kingdom.
In 2017, Ocean released several singles, including Chanel and Lens, through his Blonded Radio show, and made several appearances on other songs by artists like Calvin Harris, A$AP Mob, and Tyler, the Creator.
Chanel
Frank Ocean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And he got fight stories to tell
I see both sides like Chanel
See on both sides like Chanel
Swimming laps through pool water
Heated like I'm underworld
Hide my tattoos in Shibuya
Police think I'm of the underworld
12 treat a nigga like he twelve
How you looking up to me and talking down? (Yeah)
Can't you see I am the big man? (Big man)
God level I am the I am (whoa)
Now film it with that drone cam in the pink like Killa Cam
Put a zoom on that stick, Noe
Up so close I'm on that kill
Remote controller on your lower back, yes the good
Dick could roll the eyes back in the skull
Rolling when you ride, poppin'
Rolling when you ride, ride the ride
Got one that's straight acting
Turnt out like some dirty plastic (ride)
2016 burnt some discs (dope)
2017 ideas playing off a Walkman
This a cult not a clique on the net
With a cup in a cup, Actavis
That's a double edge, issa knife (knife)
And I don't like to fight 'til I'm fighting (fighting)
Revenge in the air makes my lungs sick
Chopper in the sky like a gun trick (yeah)
Clips on clips like Mike (hello), it's really all
I see both sides like Chanel
See on both sides like Chanel
It's really you on my mind
It's really you on my mind
It's really you
It's really you on my mind
V both sides of the 12
Steam both sides of the L
Freeze smoke rings and they hail
Sleet snow grind for the wealth
Whole team diamonds is real
Showed 'em how to shine by theyselves
You need a cosign for your health
I need that bitch to grind on my belt
I know you need to try for my belt
I know you seen it driving itself
No matte black on the ride 'cause it's stale
But it's stealth
I see both sides like Chanel
I see both sides like Chanel
My pockets snug
They can't hold my 7
They banned my Visa
My Amex and Mastercards
I got new money
And it's all cash
I got new bags
And they all collabs
I rubber band a bunch of thousand dollar Delta gift cards
(I mean my baby bi)
Amazing the cash online unknown
(I mean my baby bi)
Blazing the dash counting money at home
My pockets snug
They can't hold my 7
They banned my Visa
My Amex and Mastercards
I got new money
And it's all cash
I got new bags
And they all collabs
I rubber band a bunch of thousand dollar Delta gift cards
(I mean my baby bi)
Amazing the cash online unknown
(I mean my baby bi)
Blazing the dash counting money at home
Frank Ocean’s song “Chanel” features a collection of seemingly disjointed thoughts and imagery that come together in a stream-of-consciousness style. The opening lines describe a man who is both pretty like a girl and has fight stories to tell, which can be interpreted as being both vulnerable and tough at the same time, much like the designer Chanel who utilizes both masculine and feminine aesthetics. The line “I see both sides like Chanel” is repeated throughout the song and can be interpreted as seeing the duality in everything, from life to love.
The lyrics continue with descriptions of pool water as heated like the underworld, the singer’s tattoos being hidden from the police in Shibuya, and references to a drone camera and zoom lenses. Imagery of violence is also present, with the singer comparing themselves to a chopper in the sky and the sound of clips like the rapper Mike.
The second verse continues with more thoughts and imagery, including a mention of freezing smoke rings and sleet snow grinding for wealth. The line “I see both sides of the 12” is a reference to police, who often use the phrase “I see both sides” to try and mediate conflict. The rest of the verse is focused on money and material possessions, with the singer describing their success with new cash and bags.
Overall, “Chanel” is a complex and multi-layered song that defies a simple explanation. It’s a combination of abstract ideas and vivid imagery that come together to create a highly unique listening experience.
Line by Line Meaning
My guy pretty like a girl
The singer is describing their friend's feminine appearance.
And he got fight stories to tell
The friend also has stories of violence to tell, despite his appearance.
I see both sides like Chanel
The singer can empathize with different points of view, like the double-sided Chanel logo.
See on both sides like Chanel
Reiterating that the artist can understand opposing perspectives.
Swimming laps through pool water
The artist is swimming.
Heated like I'm underworld
The water is warm like in the underworld.
Hide my tattoos in Shibuya
The singer masks their tattoos while in Shibuya, Japan.
Police think I'm of the underworld
The police suspect the artist is involved in illegal activity.
12 treat a nigga like he twelve
The police treat grown men like children.
How you looking up to me and talking down? (Yeah)
People should not condescend to the artist, despite admiring him.
Can't you see I am the big man? (Big man)
The singer is confident in his power.
God level I am the I am (whoa)
The artist may be comparing himself to a deity.
Now film it with that drone cam in the pink like Killa Cam
Record the scene with a pink camera drone, as rapper Cam'ron would.
Put a zoom on that stick, Noe
Use the zoom on the camera stick.
Up so close I'm on that kill
The camera angle is very close and intense.
Remote controller on your lower back, yes the good
The camera controller is attached to their lower back, which feels good.
Dick could roll the eyes back in the skull
The artist is bragging about their sexual prowess.
Rolling when you ride, poppin'
The singer is having fun while driving.
Rolling when you ride, ride the ride
Repeating that the singer is enjoying the ride.
Got one that's straight acting
The artist has a partner who appears heterosexual.
Turnt out like some dirty plastic (ride)
Their partner gets wild like cheap, disposable toys.
2016 burnt some discs (dope)
The artist made mix CDs in 2016.
2017 ideas playing off a Walkman
In 2017, they's exploring musical ideas using an old-school Walkman cassette player.
This a cult not a clique on the net
The artist's group is like a cult, not just a social media clique.
With a cup in a cup, Actavis
The singer is drinking cough syrup, which contains codeine and promethazine.
That's a double edge, issa knife (knife)
Drinking Actavis is risky and can be lethal.
And I don't like to fight 'til I'm fighting (fighting)
The singer will not initiate conflict, but will defend themselves when necessary.
Revenge in the air makes my lungs sick
The artist dislikes the toxic atmosphere of seeking revenge.
Chopper in the sky like a gun trick (yeah)
The helicopter looks like a gun magic trick.
Clips on clips like Mike (hello), it's really all
Referencing Mike Tyson's boxing technique, but it's all irrelevant.
It's really you on my mind
The singer is thinking about someone they love.
It's really you on my mind
Repeating that they can't stop thinking of that person.
It's really you
It really is just that person who the artist is thinking of.
V both sides of the 12
The slang term 'V' means to flip, so they see both sides of the cops.
Steam both sides of the L
They see both sides of the L (L train in Chicago) being used for illegal activity.
Freeze smoke rings and they hail
They can exhale smoke rings in cold air and they stay suspended.
Sleet snow grind for the wealth
They work hard in adverse weather conditions to make money.
Whole team diamonds is real
The singer and their crew have real diamond jewelry.
Showed 'em how to shine by theyselves
The singer taught their friends how to be successful independently.
You need a cosign for your health
Some people need validation to survive.
I need that bitch to grind on my belt
The artist needs someone to have sex with.
I know you need to try for my belt
The singer believes someone wants to have sex with him.
I know you seen it driving itself
They believe someone saw them driving a self-driving car.
No matte black on the ride 'cause it's stale
The artist didn't choose matte black for their car because it's too common.
But it's stealth
Despite the lack of matte black, the car is still subtle.
My pockets snug
The artist's money is secure in their pockets.
They can't hold my 7
Their pockets cannot contain their iPhone 7.
They banned my Visa
The artist's Visa card is no longer valid.
My Amex and Mastercards
Their American Express and Mastercard are also rejected.
I got new money
They have a different form of cash.
And it's all cash
The new cash is only physical bills, not digital.
I got new bags
The artist acquired new designer bags.
And they all collabs
The new bags are all collaborations between different high-end brands.
I rubber band a bunch of thousand dollar Delta gift cards
They have bound Delta gift cards worth thousands of dollars with rubber bands.
(I mean my baby bi)
This line is unclear without more context.
Amazing the cash online unknown
They are earning large amounts of money online in secret.
(I mean my baby bi)
This line is still unclear without more context.
Blazing the dash counting money at home
They are showing off how much money they count at home.
Lyrics © Global Talent Publishing, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group
Written by: Adam King Feeny, Christopher Breaux, Jacob Ludvig Olofsson, Rami Dawod, Michael Uzowuru
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Introductory line, no real meaning behind it.
Every day is unpredictable, and we have no control over it.
No matter how hard we try, the future is always uncertain and out of our control.
The environment is always changing, and we can only adapt to the changes.
No matter the circumstances, life will always be what it is.
Our experiences in life shape us and influence how we react to certain situations.
Stay alert, be aware of your surroundings, and face your adversity head-on.
Life can be slow and monotonous, but it's important to keep moving forward.
Sometimes we wish things were different, but we have to work with what we have.
Change is constant and inevitable, and we must adapt accordingly.
We are confined to our natural surroundings and must find ways to thrive within them.
I will be there for you and remain reliable through thick and thin.
Stay calm and composed when things are going well.
I will not abandon you when things fall apart.
I learned how to remain dependable and support others from your example.
My upbringing and past taught me how to love and connect with others.
There is a power or higher force that we cannot control but can find solace in.
I have respect and admiration for the person who has influenced me so deeply.
Things will become easier once we've overcome certain obstacles.
In the aftermath of a disaster or tragedy.
Referring to the black community and the beauty of darker skin tones.
Going underwater.
Represents makeshift arrangements that still offer a sense of stability.
Taking risks and enjoying life, despite the danger.
The inspiration and influence of those older and more experienced than us.
An allusion to reincarnation, a second chance starting over.
Coming back to the surface after experiencing hardship.
Showing gratitude for the world that has allowed us to survive and thrive.
Being thankful for everything that we have and acknowledging our place in the universe.
Our environment and experiences offer an opportunity to learn and grow in order to survive.
We must persevere even when things get tough.
Reflecting on our lives and past experiences.
Referring to the end of childhood and the beginning of adulthood.
Giving a shout-out to friends or individuals who have impacted their life.
Acknowledging people they love or admire.
Showing appreciation for the promise of eternal life or a legacy that will live on after death.
Preparing to take action, possibly to run or escape.
Trying to escape the pain and hardship of life through various vices or addictions.
Engaging in reckless behavior or coping through unhealthy means.
Looking for comfort or pleasure in the face of adversity.
Jokingly considering the benefits of eternal life or a lasting legacy.
Accepting that life, with all its joys and hardships, is finite and will eventually end.