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.
Read The Stars
Frank Ocean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If I just took what I've been given
They say I never know what to do
Unless I'm told
I feel underestimated, So unaccounted for
Then you want to call me to your office right after school
And tell me your version of my future
I wanna see one diploma that says "you can read the stars"
Don't talk me out of it
Don't talk me out of it
It's my life, don't talk me out of my life
It's my life
I used to put an apple on Ms. Jacob's desk,
But she never liked me
She said I'm gon' fail, no matter what I give
She said 'cause my skin wasn't light enough
Tuition wasn't high enough
I couldn't understand just what I did.
So underestimated, You left me unaccounted for
Now you want to me your version of my future.
But let's take all the frames off the walls
I wanna see one diploma that says "you can read the stars"
Don't talk me out of it
Don't talk me out of it
It's my life, don't talk me out of my life
It's my life
Just tell me how
You're much better than me now
You tore me down till there was nothing left
Look at me, Look at me, Look at me, Look at me,
I'm still standing
Look at me
Look at me now, Look me in my eyes
But let's take all the frames off the walls
I wanna see one diploma that says "you can read the stars"
Don't talk me out of it
Don't talk me out of it
It's my life, don't talk me out of my life
It's my life
It's my life
It's my life
In "Read The Stars," Frank Ocean talks about feeling underestimated and passed over in school. He says he was told that he would be better off if he just took what he was given and followed orders rather than trying to create his path. However, Frank resists this temptation, stating that he'd like to see one diploma that says "you can read the stars," not just know what he is told. Frank feels like he is being overlooked not only by his peers but also by his teacher who thinks he has no chance of succeeding. In the second verse, Frank shares how he used to give an apple to his teacher, but she never liked him, stating that he will fail, which left him feeling underestimated and unaccounted for. In this verse, we can see how his teacher's words made him feel unvalued, and even though he's been ignored for so long, he still wants to prove himself like a man who can read the stars.
This song promotes embracing your identity and moving away from the norm of control that is put on someone. It encourages people not to feel ashamed of who they are and what they can achieve. When Frank has to turn up in his teacher's office, he feels out of place, yet he still refuses to change his identity or give up on his beliefs. Frank acknowledges that his teacher is trying to advise him on the best course of action, yet he is firm and confident that he is capable of navigating his path in life. Ultimately, he pleads with the listener to respect his choices and who he is.
Line by Line Meaning
I heard my teacher say that I'd be better off
My teacher told me that I should stick to what I am given and not to dream big.
If I just took what I've been given
My teacher suggested that I should accept the status quo and not try to change it.
They say I never know what to do
People think that I'm incapable of making the right decisions for myself.
Unless I'm told
I always rely on others to guide me in making choices.
I feel underestimated, So unaccounted for
I sense that people don't recognize my potential and skills, and I feel ignored and unimportant.
Then you want to call me to your office right after school
My teacher wants to have a private conversation with me after class about my future.
And tell me your version of my future
My teacher wants to dictate my future and advise me on what to do with my life.
But let's take all the frames off the walls
Let's remove all external influences and judgments and focus on my abilities and aspirations.
I wanna see one diploma that says "you can read the stars"
I want to have a tangible proof of my potential and ability to achieve greatness and defy the odds.
Don't talk me out of it
Don't discourage me from pursuing my dreams and taking charge of my life.
It's my life, don't talk me out of my life
I'm the only one who can decide what to do with my life, and no one should interfere with my decision-making.
I used to put an apple on Ms. Jacob's desk,
I used to be a diligent student and tried to impress my teacher, Ms. Jacob.
But she never liked me
My teacher never appreciated my efforts and potential, and always saw me as mediocre.
She said I'm gon' fail, no matter what I give
My teacher already made up her mind that I'll never succeed, even if I work hard.
She said 'cause my skin wasn't light enough
My teacher believed that my skin color was an obstacle that prevented me from succeeding academically.
Tuition wasn't high enough
My teacher thought that my financial status was another reason why I couldn't excel academically.
I couldn't understand just what I did.
I was confused and hurt by my teacher's unfair judgments and couldn't find any fault in my actions.
Now you want to me your version of my future.
Despite my experience with Ms. Jacob, my current teacher wants to impose their own views on my future.
Just tell me how
I'm asking people to give me reasons why they think they're better than me or why they should dictate my life choices.
You're much better than me now
I'm challenging people who think they're superior to me to prove it.
You tore me down till there was nothing left
People have undermined my confidence and self-esteem by belittling my potential and abilities.
Look at me, Look at me, Look at me, Look at me, I'm still standing
Despite the obstacles and negativity I faced, I'm still resilient and standing tall.
Look at me
I'm asking people to acknowledge my strength and determination.
Look at me now, Look me in my eyes
I'm daring people who doubted me to confront me and see how far I've come.
It's my life
I'm asserting my agency and independence and claiming ownership of my life choices.
Contributed by Isabelle J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@kidxmoon3509
I heard my teacher say that I'd be better off
If I just took what I've been given
They say I never know what to do
Unless I'm told
I feel underestimated, So unaccounted for
Then you want to call me to your office right after school
And tell me your version of my future
But let's take all the frames off the walls
I wanna see one diploma that says "you can read the stars"
don't talk me out of it
don't talk me out of it
it's my life, don't talk me out of my life
it's my life
I used to put an apple on Ms. Jacob's desk,
But she never liked me
She said I'm gon' fail, no matter what I give
She said 'cause my skin wasn't light enough
Tuition wasn't high enough
I couldn't understand just what I did.
So underestimated, You left me unaccounted for
Now you want to me your version of my future.
But let's take all the frames off the walls
I wanna see one diploma that says "you can read the stars"
don't talk me out of it
don't talk me out of it
it's my life, don't talk me out of my life
It's my life
Just tell me how
you're much better than me now
You tore me down till there was nothing left
Look at me, Look at me, Look at me, Look at me,
I'm still standing
Look at me
Look at me now, Look me in my eyes
But let's take all the frames off the walls
I wanna see one diploma that says "you can read the stars"
don't talk me out of it
don't talk me out of it
it's my life, don't talk me out of my life
It's my life
it's my life
it's my life
@thefoogler4027
Crazy to think maybe 1/1000th of his fans have heard this mixtape. Despite him making it in high school, every song is great. They all deserve more attention with the beautiful lyrics and melodies. Read the Stars, Rewind That, Dying For Your Love, Bricks and Steel, Lights, Hardest Thing & Kamikaze are my favorites.
@londonboy9422
Agree, though it's actually an unofficial mixtape, not created by Frank himself!
@jonasdr3776
Favorite Frank Track ever <3
@juanitaabreu2738
Thank you so so so much ! 🙏🏿