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.
The City
Frank Ocean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I built this city
I got plenty concrete, plenty steel
Please give me my trees, give em back
Give me tours, give me traffic
Give me noise, just give it back
Could you bring back all my police, give me order Turn back on my lights give me fuel and water
I think I'm beggin', cause now that everythings gone
I'm needin' mine, I'm needin' mine
With the streets all dark
It looks like my buildings are gone
I made you the mayor of my town honey
And I'm why you are the city representative
I gave you the key to my city
Gave you power over, power over me
Give it to me
Give it back to me
The city belongs to me
The city is ours no more
Tell the government please give me fun
Being can't you see that I'm doing bad
Give me flood gates, give me levees
Too much water, can you push it back?
How you just gonna leave me out of order?
I ain't got no lights or no fuel to start up
I know I'm beggin cause now that everythings dried up
I'm needin' mine, I'm needin' mine
And with the streets all dark
I made you the mayor of my town honey
I'm why you are the city representative
I gave you the key to my city
Oh power over, power over me
Now give it to me
Give it back to me
The city belongs to me
The city is ours no more
We used to be sky high
We used to be major
We used to be sky high
We used to be major baby, major
Give it to me, give it back to me
The city is mine baby
This whole city is mine
This city is mine honey
Give it to me, give it back to me
This city is mine oh baby
This city is mine, this city is mine
Now give it to me, give it back to me
This city belongs to me
This city is ours no more
In Frank Ocean's song "The City," he sings about feeling a sense of ownership over a city that he built. He repeatedly asks for his power to be returned to him, indicating that he believes it was taken away. Ocean references the physical aspects of the city, such as concrete and steel, but also mentions the importance of trees, police, and order in his creation. He even asks for natural barriers to be put in place to control too much water, suggesting that he has a deep understanding of urban planning and development.
As the song continues, Ocean paints a picture of a city in a state of disrepair. The streets are dark, and the buildings look lost, which implies that something catastrophic has occurred. He then reveals that he made someone the mayor of his town and believes that this person has taken his power and control over the city. The use of the phrase "power over me" suggests a toxic relationship, further emphasizing Ocean's feeling of being taken advantage of.
In the chorus, Ocean declares that the city belongs to him and has a desperate need to have his power restored. He suggests that he and his fellow citizens used to be "sky-high" and "major," indicating that they once had a prosperous and vibrant city. Yet, that prosperity has faded, and the city is no longer theirs.
Overall, "The City" speaks to the duality of urban development: how the creation of cities can be both inventive and destructive. The song suggests that those in power can take advantage of their citizens and damage the very thing that they are meant to protect.
Line by Line Meaning
Give me my power (x4)
The singer of the song demands that their power over the city is returned to them.
I built this city
The singer is the founder and creator of the city in question.
I got plenty concrete, plenty steel
The singer has created a modern city with many buildings and structures.
Please give me my trees, give em back
The artist wants the natural elements that made the city beautiful to be returned to them.
Give me tours, give me traffic
The artist wants visitors and economic activity to return to the city.
Give me noise, just give it back
The singer desires the vibrancy and sounds of urban life to return to the city.
Could you bring back all my police, give me order
The singer wants law enforcement and control to be restored in the city.
Turn back on my lights give me fuel and water
The artist needs basic resources such as electricity, fuel, and water to be restored to the city.
I think I'm beggin', cause now that everythings gone / I'm needin' mine, I'm needin' mine
The artist is aware that they sound desperate but insists that the power and control they hold over the city is rightfully theirs.
With the streets all dark / It looks like my buildings are gone
Without electricity or power, the buildings in the city appear as if they are no longer there.
I made you the mayor of my town honey / And I'm why you are the city representative / I gave you the key to my city / Gave you power over, power over me
The singer gave power to the current mayor of the city and now regrets that decision because they feel that they have lost control over their creation.
The city belongs to me / The city is ours no more
The artist asserts their ownership over the city and declares that they no longer share it with anyone else.
Tell the government please give me fun / Being can't you see that I'm doing bad / Give me flood gates, give me levees / Too much water, can you push it back?
The singer implores the government to help them restore the fun and attractiveness of the city that has been lost due to natural disasters like flooding.
How you just gonna leave me out of order? / I ain't got no lights or no fuel to start up / I know I'm beggin cause now that everythings dried up / I'm needin' mine, I'm needin' mine
The singer feels abandoned and powerless as their city is in disrepair and lacks the resources necessary to function properly. They continue to insist that they deserve to regain control over the city.
The buildings look lost
Without proper lighting, the singer perceives the buildings in the city as if they are lost or missing.
We used to be sky high / We used to be major / We used to be sky high / We used to be major baby, major / Give it to me, give it back to me
The artist reminisces on a time when the city was thriving and prosperous, and wants to reclaim that status.
The city is mine baby / This whole city is mine / This city is mine honey
The artist reasserts their ownership and control over the city.
Give it to me, give it back to me
The singer repeats their desire to reclaim power and control over the city.
This city is mine oh baby / This city is mine, this city is mine / Now give it to me, give it back to me / This city belongs to me / This city is ours no more
The singer continues to assert their ownership and control over the city and stresses that it no longer belongs to anyone else.
Contributed by Gabriel R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
hi
on Super Rich Kids
what does sthis mean
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Introductory line, no real meaning behind it.
Every day is unpredictable, and we have no control over it.
No matter how hard we try, the future is always uncertain and out of our control.
The environment is always changing, and we can only adapt to the changes.
No matter the circumstances, life will always be what it is.
Our experiences in life shape us and influence how we react to certain situations.
Stay alert, be aware of your surroundings, and face your adversity head-on.
Life can be slow and monotonous, but it's important to keep moving forward.
Sometimes we wish things were different, but we have to work with what we have.
Change is constant and inevitable, and we must adapt accordingly.
We are confined to our natural surroundings and must find ways to thrive within them.
I will be there for you and remain reliable through thick and thin.
Stay calm and composed when things are going well.
I will not abandon you when things fall apart.
I learned how to remain dependable and support others from your example.
My upbringing and past taught me how to love and connect with others.
There is a power or higher force that we cannot control but can find solace in.
I have respect and admiration for the person who has influenced me so deeply.
Things will become easier once we've overcome certain obstacles.
In the aftermath of a disaster or tragedy.
Referring to the black community and the beauty of darker skin tones.
Going underwater.
Represents makeshift arrangements that still offer a sense of stability.
Taking risks and enjoying life, despite the danger.
The inspiration and influence of those older and more experienced than us.
An allusion to reincarnation, a second chance starting over.
Coming back to the surface after experiencing hardship.
Showing gratitude for the world that has allowed us to survive and thrive.
Being thankful for everything that we have and acknowledging our place in the universe.
Our environment and experiences offer an opportunity to learn and grow in order to survive.
We must persevere even when things get tough.
Reflecting on our lives and past experiences.
Referring to the end of childhood and the beginning of adulthood.
Giving a shout-out to friends or individuals who have impacted their life.
Acknowledging people they love or admire.
Showing appreciation for the promise of eternal life or a legacy that will live on after death.
Preparing to take action, possibly to run or escape.
Trying to escape the pain and hardship of life through various vices or addictions.
Engaging in reckless behavior or coping through unhealthy means.
Looking for comfort or pleasure in the face of adversity.
Jokingly considering the benefits of eternal life or a lasting legacy.
Accepting that life, with all its joys and hardships, is finite and will eventually end.