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.
Taste
Frank Ocean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I mean, it′s cool... want some more?
I built us a little gingerbread house
You said you loved it, I baked you a little
Gingerbread Benz, and you said you dug it
I make stacks and stacks of cake in the bank, bank
You ate through em, you ate through em
Tell me how does that taste
Tell me how does that taste, oh
When I re-up, got you coming back
When I'm running out, you keep your bags packed
All the newest shit, and the Benz I baked you
Tell me something baby, baby, I can′t blame you
When we first met, I know you told me that your taste was crazy
But sweetie, you tell me now that you're craving
Said that Gucci taste good, but Dior taste amazing, baby
We took chartered flights
All around to taste those malls that
You like most, said the jetfuel taste like pink raspberry
Good credit, A1, just like that sauce
Said you liked Ruth Chris way better
Lean back my seat, watch your head go down
Tell me how does that taste
Tell me how does that taste, oh
When I re-up, got you coming back
When I'm running out, you keep your bags packed
All the newest shit, and the Benz I baked you
Tell me something baby, baby, I can′t blame you
When we first met, I know you told me that your taste was crazy
But sweetie, you tell me now that you′re craving
Said that Gucci taste good, but Dior taste amazing, baby
Said that Gucci taste good, but Dior taste amazing
I know that you're going to
Love me as long as you′re fed, you said
But I like you around
Just want to keep you here
I got to know girl, I ain't running out
I ain′t running out
Baby, I can't blame you
When we first met, I know you told me that your taste was crazy
But sweetie, you tell me now that you′re craving
Said that Gucci taste good, but Dior taste amazing, baby
Said that Gucci taste good, but Dior taste amazing
Hey baby, I've noticed you eat your jewelry for break
Hey baby, noticed you eat your jewelry for break
Hey baby, noticed you eat your jewelry for breakfast
I swear, it's crazy
In "Taste," Frank Ocean explores themes of materialism, consumption, and the quest for validation through external sources. The lyrics take on a sarcastic tone, highlighting the absurdity of the desires and cravings that society can foster.
The opening lines, "Damn... you hungry... I mean, it's cool... want some more?" set the stage for the song. It introduces the concept of insatiable hunger, not just for food but also for material possessions and validation. The metaphorical gingerbread house and gingerbread Benz symbolize the lavish and excessive gifts and gestures the singer offers to satisfy their partner's desires. However, the partner's appetite seems insatiable, devouring everything the singer provides without ever feeling content.
Frank Ocean juxtaposes luxury brands like Gucci and Dior to underline the superficiality of desires. The partner's preference for Dior over Gucci suggests that they are always seeking the next best thing, never truly satisfied with what they have. This illustrates a larger comment on society's obsession with material wealth and the constant pursuit of something better.
The mention of chartered flights and expensive tastes exposes the excessive lifestyle the singer and their partner lead. It emphasizes the notion that their relationship is built on materialism rather than genuine connection. The line about the jet fuel tasting like pink raspberry suggests that even the most mundane aspects of their extravagant lifestyle have been romanticized and consumed.
In the final verses, the singer acknowledges that their partner's love and loyalty is conditional, based on what they can provide. The line, "But I like you around, just want to keep you here," reveals the singer's awareness of the transactional nature of their relationship. Despite knowing this, they are still willing to indulge their partner's desires in the hopes of maintaining their presence.
Overall, "Taste" serves as a critique of consumerism, materialism, and the pursuit of validation through external means. It highlights the emptiness and futility of these pursuits and questions the genuine connection and intimacy that can be achieved in such circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
Damn... you hungry...
I mean, it's cool... want some more?
I built us a little gingerbread house
You said you loved it, I baked you a little gingerbread Benz, and you said you dug it
I make stacks and stacks of cake in the bank, bank
You ate through them, you ate through them, you ate through them
Tell me how does that taste
Tell me how does that taste, oh
When I re-up, got you coming back
When I'm running out, you keep your bags packed
All the newest shit, and the Benz I baked you
Tell me something baby, baby, I can't blame you
When we first met, I know you told me that your taste was crazy
But sweetie, you tell me now that you're craving
Said that Gucci taste good, but Dior taste amazing, baby
Said that Gucci taste good, but Dior taste amazing
We took chartered flights
All around to taste those malls that you like most
Said the jetfuel taste like pink raspberry
Good credit, A1, just like that sauce
Said you liked Ruth Chris way better
Lean back my seat, watch your head go down
I know that you're going to love me as long as you're fed, you said
But I like you around, just want to keep you here
I got to know girl, I ain't running out
I ain't running out
Hey baby, I've noticed you eat your jewelry for breakfast
I swear, it's crazy
Writer(s): Waynne Nugent, Kevin Risto, Christopher Breaux, Sean Rotramel
Contributed by Evelyn I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@maya-rq5he
cant believe i gotta go to the ghetto just to listen to dis
@perezye7297
This the one😂
@jellieloveee
Not the ghetto 😂😂😂
@serena6418
LMAO fr
@yungbeezgod4787
Wym
@sameolee7959
BIG FACTS😂
@belop1680
2023 and still getting chills from this song. Timeless music at its finest!
@KykyHansZubair
This is the comment I'm here for. 🫶🏾
@evelynrosenberg6523
yesss such a good song
@katiedenton9522
This song is so fire. I’ve loved the original, “Electric Feel” since it came out many years ago, but this mix is just perfect.