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 Im in Love
Frank Ocean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But shes 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
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?
In the song "If I'm in Love" by Frank Ocean, the singer is struggling with the uncertainty of their own feelings. They want to ask someone for guidance, but are unable to turn to their mother, friends, or girlfriend for fear of judgement or causing hurt. Instead, they turn to the music of some of history's most renowned artists- Lennon, Donny, Stevie, and Prince- to help them sort out their emotions. The singer acknowledges that they may not even know what love truly feels like, as they question if they are standing in the midst of "Purple Rain" without realizing it. The use of music as a guiding force in the singer's search for answers highlights the power of art to inspire, guide, and heal.
The song speaks to the universal experience of grappling with one's emotions, particularly in matters of the heart. The singer's vulnerability and uncertainty is relatable to many listeners, and the use of iconic musical figures adds a layer of nostalgia and reverence to the song. Additionally, the theme of seeking guidance through music resonates with the idea that many people turn to art in times of emotional turmoil. Overall, "If I'm in Love" is a poignant and introspective song that speaks to the human experience of navigating love and uncertainty.
Line by Line Meaning
I got a question I wanna ask my momma
I have a question that I want to ask my mom, but she is no longer around
But shes been gone for some years now
My mother has been absent for quite some time
I need the answers I want to ask my friends
I require answers, but my friends are not able to honestly provide them
But they're too cool to be honest
My friends are too concerned with looking cool to be truthful
And she's gone take it the wrong way if I question her
My significant other may misunderstand if I question her
It just might break her heart man
Asking her may potentially cause heartbreak
I can't ask my girl
I am unable to ask my significant other
So I'm gonna ask Lennon
I will seek answers from famous musicians such as Lennon
And I'mma ask Donny
I will seek answers from Donny Hathaway
And I'mma ask Stevie
I will seek answers from Stevie Wonder
And I'mma ask Prince
I will seek answers from the artist Prince
If I'm in love
I wish to know if I am truly in love
My headphones won't lie if I'm in love
I trust the music playing in my headphones to give me an honest answer about my feelings
Tell me tell me
Please inform me
Am I in love?
I am unsure whether or not I am in love
Who the hell knows who Purple Rain is?
I wonder who out there is not familiar with 'Purple Rain'
And am I standing in it?
I am curious if I am experiencing the intense emotions of love
I sing along to every single word though
I am so absorbed in the emotional content of the music that I sing along with every word
And I feel like I need them
I find that I require the lyrics of such songs in my life
Cause for all I know
I am uncertain if what I have experienced was love
Rocket love flew past me yesterday
I had a chance at love before, but I am uncertain if it was true love
Contributed by Muhammad D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@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
@jonathenross2742
does anyone know where an actual version of this song is i cant find it anywhere
@phjehan97
Soundcloud
@SamiiTooColdd
Audiomack
@emotionalactivity
Not it