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.
If I'm In Love
Frank Ocean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But she's been gone for some years now
I need the answers, I want to ask my friends
But they're to cool to be honest
And she's gone take it the wrong
Way if I question her
It just might break her heart, man
I can't ask my girl
So I'm gonna ask Lennon and I'mma ask Donny
And I'mma ask Stevie and I'mma ask Prince
If I'm in love if I'm in love
My headphones won't lie, if I'm in love
Tell me, tell me if I'm in love
My headphones won't lie, if I'm in love
Tell me, tell me am I in love?
Who the hell knows who Purple Rain is?
And am I standing in it?
I sing along to every single word though
And I feel like I need them
'Cause for all I know
Rocket love flew past me yesterday
But I gotta know for sure
So I'm gonna ask Lennon and I'mma ask Donny
And I'mma ask Stevie and I'mma ask Prince
If I'm in love if I'm in love
My headphones won't lie, if I'm in love
Tell me, tell me if I'm in love
My headphones won't lie, if I'm in love
Tell me, tell me am I in love?
The lyrics of Frank Ocean's song "If I'm In Love" tell the story of a person searching for answers about their emotions and feelings of love. The singer reveals that they have questions about love, but they are unable to ask their mom, who has passed away. They also feel hesitant to ask their friends, as they believe their friends are too cool to be honest or might misconstrue their intentions. The fear of potentially breaking someone's heart, particularly their girlfriend's, adds to their hesitation.
The singer then turns to music and specifically mentions iconic artists like Lennon, Donny, Stevie, and Prince. By listening to their music through headphones, they hope to find validation for their own emotions. The repeated line "If I'm in love, my headphones won't lie" indicates that the singer sees music as a source of truth and guidance. They lean on these legendary artists' songs to understand their own emotions and determine if they are in love.
The mention of "Purple Rain" and the question of whether the singer is standing in it metaphorically symbolizes being encompassed by love. Singing along to every word of this song shows the singer's deep connection to music and their need for its guidance. The mention of "Rocket love" flying past them suggests missed opportunities or uncertainty about encountering love in their life.
Overall, the lyrics illustrate the singer's longing for answers about their feelings of love and the role music plays in their search for validation and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
I got a question I wanna ask my momma
I have an important inquiry that I want to pose to my deceased mother
But she's been gone for some years now
However, she has departed from this world several years ago
I need the answers, I want to ask my friends
I crave the revelations and seek advice from my companions
But they're too cool to be honest
Yet, they possess an aloof demeanor that prevents them from being straightforward
And she's gonna take it the wrong way if I question her
Moreover, if I were to inquire, she would misinterpret it negatively
It just might break her heart, man
Furthermore, such an inquiry might cause her immense emotional distress
I can't ask my girl
I am unable to consult my romantic partner in this matter
So I'm gonna ask Lennon and I'mma ask Donny
Thus, I have decided to seek guidance from the late Lennon and the revered Donny
And I'mma ask Stevie and I'mma ask Prince
Similarly, I shall seek the perspectives of the legendary Stevie and the iconic Prince
If I'm in love if I'm in love
To ascertain the presence of love within me, to determine its existence
My headphones won't lie, if I'm in love
The auditory device I wear on my head, conveying sounds to my ears, shall provide an honest evaluation regarding love
Tell me, tell me if I'm in love
Inform me, express to me if love has indeed enveloped my being
My headphones won't lie, if I'm in love
The device through which I experience melodic compositions shall not deceive, if love has truly captured my heart
Tell me, tell me am I in love?
Reveal to me, disclose with certainty if I am currently experiencing the emotions associated with love
Who the hell knows who Purple Rain is?
Who possesses knowledge of the remarkable creation known as 'Purple Rain'?
And am I standing in it?
Furthermore, am I metaphorically situated within the essence and impact of this piece of art?
I sing along to every single word though
Nevertheless, I enthusiastically join my voice with every uttered syllable
And I feel like I need them
Moreover, it seems as if I depend on these lyrics for emotional fulfillment
'Cause for all I know
Due to my limited awareness and understanding of love
Rocket love flew past me yesterday
An affectionate connection swiftly passed by me the previous day
But I gotta know for sure
However, I possess an urgent need to acquire certainty
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@theohiowindow
Rare song
@NiaMSnow
Lmao its not frank o but I still love this instrumental its pretty lol
@MindlessVIRUS143
Wtf is this
@KingJCJ
lol you was mad so was I though
@lesegomdluli1235
A Facebook memory lead me here… trying to recall what I was raving about. Thanks for nothing
@jonathenross2742
does anyone know where an actual version of this song is i cant find it anywhere
@phjehan97
Soundcloud
@SamiiTooColdd
Audiomack
@emotionalactivity
Not it