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, βItβs Smooth Ass Music About Bitches, Relationships And Being A Rich Young Niggaβ¦But In A Swagged Out Way.β
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.
Blue Whale
Frank Ocean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My soul glow with the low cut, no jheri curl
Jerry Rice boogie board on the rip tide
Parasail and deep dive, won't think twice
Your little baby bone boy killin' me
Swearing he's grown when he got that steel
But he ain't swam with that blue whale
I ain't swam with that ho neither
Sit back and watch the water
Hope the monster don't wag his tail
And send that big wave over while
I'm showin' off my pirate grill
To the baddies walkin' by me
Showin' skin because it's nothing
My little brother servin' molly 'cause
That bill due Monday
And my passport's buried and
My home town flooded
With just a little bit of water
But my shoes still muddy
And if I ever have a daughter
I wonder what I could call her?
Nine months after I fuck on the beach
I guess I call her Karma
Copped a jet ski with the booster seat
I'm kiddin' but I'm ballin'
Just playin' but I'm serious
I'm witted and I'm wildin'
This life goes on, man
That's one thing about it
This life goes on, dawg
That's one thing about it
I'm feelin' what you're sayin'
You're tryin' to get around it
But life goes on, pimpin'
The wise don't doubt it
Stuck in the sky
First time upside down on the whole ride
And I wasn't much into the
Type that my bros like
So I never really had no
Wife and that's alright
"Black woman ain't got no man
" that's what she said to me
Yeah she did, that you can
Date outside your race, i mean
I ain't supposed to show my love
Judge gotta like my case, I mean
Somebody please switch my plates
Ship my car to Rome
5k on the wheels, still ain't ridin' chrome
Backpack rapper skills, veteran nigga deal
So let irrelevant nigga do
What irrelevant nigga feel
Let a regular nigga judge
Because his gavel fake and he regular, still
How that gravel taste? How you
Paid your medical bill?
Sands white on my tan feet
Colosseum in the back seat
Straw hut where the beach be
Like screen saver when your Mac sleep
Relaxing, I ain't racin' no fuckin' rats
I'm relaxing and if it's wrong to ya
Well, life goes on, brother
That's one thing about it
Life goes on, my nigga, one thing about it
I'm sayin' what you're seein'
We tryin' to talk around it
But life goes on, pimpin'
The wise don't doubt it
In Frank Ocean's song "Blue Whale," the lyrics depict a carefree and tropical lifestyle while also touching on deeper themes. The opening lines create an image of a relaxed and laid-back environment, with references to a tropical vibe, coconut milk, and shaved ice. The mention of a low cut and no jheri curl suggests individuality and a rejection of societal norms. The line "Jerry Rice boogie board on the rip tide" alludes to taking risks and not hesitating to dive into unknown or dangerous situations.
The lyrics then shift focus to the persona's interactions with others. The mention of a "little baby bone boy" who claims to be grown with a gun demonstrates the harsh reality of youth involved in dangerous activities. The reference to swimming with a blue whale symbolizes the idea of confronting fears or facing challenges head-on. The verse also highlights the persona's own struggles and uncertainties, such as the displacement caused by a flooded hometown and the contemplation of parenthood.
Line by Line Meaning
Tropical vibe, coconut milk and shaved ice
The atmosphere is relaxed and refreshing, with coconut milk and shaved ice to enhance the tropical experience.
My soul glow with the low cut, no jheri curl
I radiate positivity and confidence without conforming to societal expectations.
Jerry Rice boogie board on the rip tide
I fearlessly ride the waves of life, just like Jerry Rice on a boogie board.
Parasail and deep dive, won't think twice
I engage in thrilling adventures without hesitation or doubts.
Your little baby bone boy killin' me
Your immature and inexperienced actions are causing harm to me.
Swearing he's grown when he got that steel
He foolishly believes he's mature because he possesses a weapon.
But he ain't swam with that blue whale
However, he hasn't faced the immense and dangerous challenges life can present.
I ain't swam with that ho neither
Similarly, I haven't experienced the negative consequences of engaging with a promiscuous person.
Earl said that world real
Earl (a friend or colleague) has warned me about the harsh realities of the world.
Sit back and watch the water
I take a moment to observe and contemplate my surroundings.
Hope the monster don't wag his tail
I hope to avoid any unexpected and possibly disastrous events.
And send that big wave over while I'm showin' off my pirate grill
I hope that a major problem doesn't arise just as I'm proudly displaying my expensive dental grill.
To the baddies walkin' by me, showin' skin because it's nothing
I notice attractive women passing by confidently, revealing their bodies without reservation.
My little brother servin' molly 'cause that bill due Monday
To meet his financial obligations, my younger brother sells ecstasy (molly) as his job.
And my passport's buried and my home town flooded
My passport is inaccessible, and my hometown has been severely affected by a flood.
With just a little bit of water but my shoes still muddy
Although the floodwater isn't deep, my shoes are still covered in mud, symbolizing the lingering difficulties I face.
And if I ever have a daughter, I wonder what I could call her?
If I become a father to a girl in the future, I contemplate what name would be fitting for her.
Nine months after I fuck on the beach, I guess I call her Karma
If I were to impregnate someone after having sex on the beach, it would be ironic to name my daughter Karma as it could represent the consequences of my actions.
Copped a jet ski with the booster seat, I'm kiddin' but I'm ballin'
While I'm joking about purchasing a jet ski equipped with a booster seat, I am still living a luxurious and extravagant lifestyle.
Just playin' but I'm serious, I'm witted and I'm wildin'
Although I may appear playful, I am serious, intelligent, and living my life in an audacious manner.
This life goes on, man
That's one thing about it
Life continues to progress, my friend, and that's one aspect that remains constant.
This life goes on, dawg
That's one thing about it
This life persists, my friend, and that's one unwavering truth.
I'm feelin' what you're sayin'
You're tryin' to get around it
I understand your perspective, and you're attempting to find ways to navigate through it.
But life goes on, pimpin'
The wise don't doubt it
However, life carries on, my friend, and those who are wise do not question its continuity.
Stuck in the sky
First time upside down on the whole ride
I find myself in a state of confusion or uncertainty, experiencing being upside down for the first time on this journey.
And I wasn't much into the
Type that my bros like
I didn't have an affinity for the type of people that my friends preferred.
So I never really had no
Wife and that's alright
As a result, I never truly had a spouse, but I am content with that.
"Black woman ain't got no man
" that's what she said to me
A black woman once expressed to me that she doesn't have a partner.
Yeah she did, that you can
Date outside your race, i mean
She indeed made that remark, implying that it is acceptable to have romantic relationships with individuals of different races.
I ain't supposed to show my love
Judge gotta like my case, I mean
Society expects me to conceal my affection, just like a judge needing to approve my actions, so to speak.
Somebody please switch my plates
Ship my car to Rome
I wish for someone to alter my identity and send my car to Rome, symbolizing a desire for change and escape.
5k on the wheels, still ain't ridin' chrome
Despite investing a significant amount of money in my car's wheels, they are not made of chrome, indicating that material possessions are not the key to happiness or fulfillment.
Backpack rapper skills, veteran nigga deal
I possess the lyrical abilities of an underground hip-hop artist, while also having experience and maturity in handling life's challenges.
So let irrelevant nigga do
What irrelevant nigga feel
I allow unimportant individuals to continue with their actions and opinions, as they hold no significance in my life.
Let a regular nigga judge
Because his gavel fake and he regular, still
I allow an average person to pass judgment on me, even though their authority is questionable and they are just an ordinary individual.
How that gravel taste? How you
Paid your medical bill?
I question how satisfying it is to criticize others and wonder how they afford to pay their own medical expenses.
Sands white on my tan feet
Colosseum in the back seat
The sand makes my tanned feet appear even whiter, and I have a small replica of the Colosseum in the backseat of my car.
Straw hut where the beach be
Like screen saver when your Mac sleep
There is a straw hut located by the beach, reminiscent of a screensaver that activates when your Mac computer is idle.
Relaxing, I ain't racin' no fuckin' rats
I'm relaxing and if it's wrong to ya
I am unwinding and refuse to engage in a stressful race or competition. If my approach is deemed inappropriate by others, so be it.
Well, life goes on, brother
That's one thing about it
Life continues, my brother, and that's an undeniable truth.
Life goes on, my nigga, one thing about it
Life persists, my friend, and that's an indisputable fact.
I'm sayin' what you're seein'
We tryin' to talk around it
I am expressing what I perceive, and we are attempting to avoid directly addressing the issue.
But life goes on, pimpin'
The wise don't doubt it
However, life carries on, my friend, and those who possess wisdom do not question its continuity.
Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@BADMON_
Yo dude i lowkey think that u r my brother, ur music taste is soooo on point dude! From bino and chance to new york rapper like joey to the whole la golf squad ur only putting the fire out! (show som love 4 cole tho) and im giving all my wishes 4 this channel to be popular, best of luck
@bertog8080
Almost 2023 these bars are perfect
@Dreamvillematic2014
i love frank ocean please do more frank ocean; voodoo, summer remains, we all try, etc.
@kainewman723
Better rapping than actual rappers
@kainewman723
michael at what point was he a rapper? Pre nostalgia ultra?
@GamerDomeAus
Love to see more Frank on this channel, great video as always man!
@curtisbrock69
Never stop bumping thissss
@chasegroll
love it fg! thanks man
@niekeydavis4020
i havent heard this song in like 2 yrs lol
@nikeyy35
thank you, i have now been introduced to frank ocean