frank ocean reminds us to reset

What I appreciate about Frank Ocean is his devotion to sharing his learnings with all of us. Of course, he does this in his music, but you’d be remiss not to read his interviews, for they offer simple wisdom and valuable life advice as exemplified in his latest interview with W Magazine.

“There’s something that happens when you say what you’re doing before it’s done, and most of it is not positive. You’re accountable for that version that you talk about, when it very well may undergo change. It’s usually better for me to make what I make, put it out or don’t, and then talk about it freely.”

As any good teacher or explorer does, Ocean questions why he thinks the way he does, resulting in constant reinvention of his previous understanding of the world. He is level-headed and while he speaks about his newfound appreciation for lies he makes sure to discuss the overrated notion of the truth. Still, he is thoroughly honest in this conversation. 

“The expectation for artists to be vulnerable and truthful is a lot, you know?—when it’s no longer a choice. Like, in order for me to satisfy expectations, there needs to be an outpouring of my heart or my experiences in a very truthful, vulnerable way. I’m more interested in lies than that. Like, give me a full motion-picture fantasy.”

Ocean discusses his musical past and current musical attractions (club and nightlife music). With no sign of when our next Frank album or single will be, Ocean still gives us much to look forward to. A creative of all kinds, he is currently working on a photography project with an unnamed prominent visual artist. Frank’s personal life is as good as his professional, he manages to have us invested in his private goals, currently, it is swimming four complete underwater laps in his pool. Not too shabby. His commitment to water is serious, with him and his friends taking advantage of an empty pool at his pal Marc Jabob’s wedding in order to practice their death drops. He even dreams of visiting Fire Island for the first time and seeing the Glass House in Connecticut.

It is encouraging to see an artist with a genuine passion and sense of adventure for life. His devotion to a life unfiltered, exaggerated, yet true to self is why we (the fans) can’t seem to leave him alone.

“I think that ‘Fuck who sees me’ energy, ‘This is what I am giving. Period’ is what I relate to in ballroom culture — it’s this extroversion manifest.”