Career Timeline of Frank Ocean: Major Achievements and Milestones
How Frank Ocean built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Frank Ocean is an influential American singer-songwriter, widely recognized as a pioneer of alternative R&B. He has received critical acclaim and numerous awards, including two Grammy Awards and a Brit Award. Both of his studio albums have earned spots on Rolling Stone's '500 Greatest Albums of All Time,' solidifying his status as a significant figure in contemporary music. His innovative sound and introspective lyrics have resonated with audiences worldwide.
2006: Move to Los Angeles
In 2006, Frank Ocean moved to Los Angeles to pursue his music career and worked various jobs to support himself, establishing himself as a songwriter under the name Lonny Breaux.
2009: Meeting Odd Future
In 2009, Frank Ocean met the Los Angeles-based hip hop collective Odd Future, and his friendship with Tyler, the Creator, reinvigorated his songwriting.
2009: Signing with Def Jam Recordings
In 2009, Frank Ocean signed with Def Jam Recordings, marking the beginning of a contentious relationship that he would later describe as a "seven-year chess game."
2010: Joining Odd Future
In 2010, Frank Ocean joined the Los Angeles-based hip hop collective Odd Future, after starting his musical career as a ghostwriter.
February 16, 2011: Self-Release of Nostalgia, Ultra
On February 16, 2011, Frank Ocean self-released his mixtape Nostalgia, Ultra online for free, receiving critical acclaim.
April 2011: Strengthening Relationship with Def Jam
In April 2011, Frank Ocean stated that his relationship with Def Jam had strengthened since the release of Nostalgia, Ultra.
May 2011: Release of "Novacane" to iTunes
In May 2011, Frank Ocean's single "Novacane" was released to iTunes.
May 19, 2011: Def Jam's Plans to Re-Release Nostalgia, Ultra as an EP
On May 19, 2011, Frank Ocean's record label Def Jam announced its plans to re-release Nostalgia, Ultra as an EP.
June 2011: Collaboration on Watch the Throne
In June 2011, Frank Ocean worked on the Kanye West and Jay-Z collaborative album, Watch the Throne, co-writing and featuring on two tracks: "No Church in the Wild" and "Made in America".
July 28, 2011: Leak of "Thinkin Bout You"
On July 28, 2011, a song titled "Thinkin Bout You", written by Frank Ocean for Roc Nation artist Bridget Kelly, leaked on the internet.
August 2011: Frank Ocean on the cover of The Fader
In August 2011, Frank Ocean made his first appearance on the cover of The Fader publication, in its 75th issue.
September 2011: Release of music video for "Thinkin Bout You"
In September 2011, a music video directed by High5Collective for Frank Ocean's version of "Thinkin Bout You" was released, despite the song appearing on Bridget Kelly's debut EP Every Girl.
2011: Release of Nostalgia, Ultra
In 2011, Frank Ocean independently released his debut mixtape, Nostalgia, Ultra.
April 10, 2012: Release of "Thinkin Bout You" to digital retailers
On April 10, 2012, Frank Ocean released the cover art for his debut studio album's lead single, titled "Thinkin Bout You", revealing the song would be released to digital retailers on April 10, 2012.
2012: Debut and Promotion of Channel Orange
In 2012, Channel Orange debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 and sold 131,000 copies in its first week, promoted by Frank Ocean's Summer Tour including appearances at Coachella and Lollapalooza festivals.
2012: Release and Acclaim of Channel Orange
In 2012, Frank Ocean released his debut studio album Channel Orange to universal acclaim, earning six Grammy Award nominations and influencing the R&B genre. Prior to its release, he revealed that his first love was a man, which garnered global attention.
February 2013: Work Begins on Second Studio Album
In February 2013, Frank Ocean confirmed that he had started work on his second studio album, which he confirmed would be another concept album, and revealed that he was working with Tyler, the Creator, Pharrell Williams, and Danger Mouse on the record.
May 28, 2013: Announcement of You're Not Dead ... 2013 Tour
On May 28, 2013, Frank Ocean announced the You're Not Dead ... 2013 Tour, a fourteen-date European and Canadian tour.
June 16, 2013: Start of You're Not Dead ... 2013 Tour
On June 16, 2013, Frank Ocean's You're Not Dead ... 2013 Tour began in Munich.
August 4, 2013: Cancellation of OVO Fest Appearance
On August 4, 2013, Frank Ocean was forced to cancel his appearance at the first night of OVO Fest due to a small vocal cord injury.
2013: Brit Award for International Male Solo Artist
In 2013, Frank Ocean won the Brit Award for International Male Solo Artist.
March 10, 2014: Release of "Hero"
On March 10, 2014, Frank Ocean's song "Hero", a collaboration with Mick Jones, Paul Simonon and Diplo, was made available for free download on SoundCloud as part of Converse's Three Artists. One Song series.
March 2014: Ocean withdraws from Chipotle commercial
In March 2014, Frank Ocean withdrew from a Chipotle Mexican Grill commercial promoting responsible farming due to concerns about the campaign's focus. He repaid Chipotle $212,500.00, and Fiona Apple replaced him, performing 'Pure Imagination'.
April 2014: Second Album Nearing Completion
In April 2014, Frank Ocean stated that his second album was nearly finished.
September 2014: Sales of Channel Orange
By September 2014, Frank Ocean's album, Channel Orange, had sold 621,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
September 2014: Signing with New Management
In September 2014, Frank Ocean signed with Mark Gilespie of Three Six Zero Entertainment.
November 29, 2014: Release of "Memrise" Snippet
On November 29, 2014, Frank Ocean released a snippet of a new song called "Memrise" on his official Tumblr page, supposedly from his upcoming follow-up to Channel Orange.
April 6, 2015: Announcement of New Album Release
On April 6, 2015, Frank Ocean announced that his follow-up to Channel Orange would be released in July, but the album was ultimately not released that month.
July 2, 2015: Hints at a possible second album
On July 2, 2015, he hinted at a possible second album with an image on his website pointing to a July release date, with numerous stamps, implying various due dates.
February 2016: Feature on Kanye West's "Wolves"
In February 2016, Frank Ocean was featured on Kanye West's album The Life of Pablo on the track "Wolves" along with Vic Mensa and Sia.
July 2016: Hints at a possible second album in July
In July 2016, Frank Ocean hinted at a possible second album with an image on his website pointing to a July release date, with numerous stamps, implying various due dates.
August 1, 2016: Boys Don't Cry Live Stream
On August 1, 2016, an endless live stream began on boysdontcry.co, showing Frank Ocean woodworking and playing instrumentals, which were later revealed to be from his upcoming visual album Endless.
August 5, 2016: Inaccurate Release Date Prediction
On August 5, 2016, many news outlets reported that this could be the release date for Boys Don't Cry, but that date also turned out to be inaccurate.
August 20, 2016: "Nikes" music video release and Blonde album release
On August 20, 2016, Frank Ocean uploaded the music video for "Nikes" to Apple Music and his website. He also announced pop-up shops for his magazine Boys Don't Cry, and released his second studio album Blonde, which debuted at number one in several countries and sold 232,000 copies in its first week.
2016: Releases of "Blonde" and "Endless" albums
In 2016, Frank Ocean released the albums "Blonde" and "Endless".
2016: Release of Endless
In 2016, Frank Ocean released the visual album Endless to fulfill contractual obligations with Def Jam.
2016: Endless album release, Def Jam contract fulfillment
In 2016, Frank Ocean's live stream was accompanied by music, and an Apple Music link directed to "Endless". "Endless" served as Ocean's final album with Def Jam Recordings, fulfilling his contractual obligations with the label.
2016: Post-Blonde travel and Grammy snub
In 2016, after releasing Blonde, Frank Ocean traveled to China, Japan, and France instead of doing a typical promotional tour. He also chose not to submit Blonde for Grammy Awards consideration. Time ranked Blonde as the best album of 2016.
February 21, 2017: Calvin Harris announces single "Slide" featuring Frank Ocean and Migos
On February 21, 2017, Calvin Harris announced his single "Slide" featuring Frank Ocean and hip-hop trio Migos, which would be released two days later from Harris' fifth studio album Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1.
February 23, 2017: Release of Calvin Harris' "Slide" featuring Frank Ocean and Migos, featured on Blonded Radio
On February 23, 2017, the song "Slide" by Calvin Harris featuring Frank Ocean and Migos was released and featured on the first episode of Frank Ocean's Beats 1 radio show, Blonded Radio. This marked Ocean's first collaboration after leaving Def Jam.
March 10, 2017: Release of new single "Chanel" on Blonded Radio
On March 10, 2017, Frank Ocean released his new single "Chanel" on the second episode of Blonded Radio, and played an alternate version featuring ASAP Rocky. It was his first solo effort after Blonde and Endless in 2016.
May 1, 2017: Met Gala attendance as Vogue photographer
On May 1, 2017, Frank Ocean attended the annual Met Gala as a special photographer for Vogue.
October 2017: Publication of "New 17" photo essay in i-D magazine
In October 2017, Frank Ocean published a photo essay titled "New 17" in the British magazine i-D.
October 23, 2017: i-D magazine covers and visual essay
On October 23, 2017, Frank Ocean made two covers and a visual essay for British fashion magazine, i-D.
November 2017: Hint of fifth project completion
In November 2017, Frank Ocean hinted via Tumblr that his fifth project was complete, but its release remained unknown.
2017: Post-Blonde Activities
After 2017, Frank Ocean released sporadic singles, worked as a photographer for magazines, launched the fashion brand Homer, and started Homer Radio.
2017: Last live performance before 2023 Coachella
Prior to being announced as a headliner for Coachella 2023, Frank Ocean's last live performance had been in 2017.
February 14, 2018: Release of "Moon River" cover
On February 14, 2018, Frank Ocean released "Moon River", a cover of the song performed by Audrey Hepburn.
May 2018: Feature on ASAP Rocky's album Testing
In May 2018, Frank Ocean was featured on the tracks "Brotha Man" and "Purity" from ASAP Rocky's third studio album Testing.
July 9, 2018: Blonde certified platinum by RIAA
On July 9, 2018, Frank Ocean's album Blonde was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.
August 2018: Feature on Travis Scott's Astroworld album
In August 2018, Frank Ocean featured on the song "Carousel" from Travis Scott's third studio album Astroworld.
September 2018: Legal action against Travis Scott and Resolution
In September 2018, Frank Ocean took legal action against Travis Scott through a cease and desist letter, later clarifying the dispute was about social issues, not music, and had since been resolved.
November 6, 2018: Blonded Radio midterm specials
On November 6, 2018, three midterm specials of Blonded Radio were aired in conjunction with the US Midterm elections, with new merchandise given to voters in select cities. The shows featured political discussions, including Ocean's perspective as an openly queer black man in rap.
October 19, 2019: Release of "DHL" and announcement of vinyl singles
On October 19, 2019, Frank Ocean released a new song titled "DHL" on his Beats 1 radio show Blonded Radio and announced 7-inch vinyl singles of two new songs titled "Dear April" and "Cayendo".
November 1, 2019: Release of "In My Room"
On November 1, 2019, Frank Ocean followed up "DHL" with a new song titled "In My Room", which was premiered on Blonded Radio.
February 25, 2020: Announcement to replace "Little Demon" vinyl
On February 25, 2020, Frank Ocean announced that he would replace the vinyl for "Little Demon" with an unreleased song.
February 28, 2020: Planned release of unreleased song replacing "Little Demon"
On February 28, 2020, Frank Ocean intended to release an unreleased song to replace "Little Demon" on vinyl.
March 25, 2020: Shipping of Vinyl Singles
On March 25, 2020, Frank Ocean's website started shipping the vinyl singles for "Dear April" and "Cayendo", as well as "In My Room".
October 2020: Coachella postponement and cancellation
In October 2020, Frank Ocean was scheduled to headline Coachella, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival was initially postponed and later cancelled altogether.
August 8, 2021: Official reveal of fashion project "Homer"
On August 8, 2021, Frank Ocean officially revealed his first fashion project, "Homer", described as an independent American luxury company.
August 2021: Coachella 2023 Headlining Confirmation
In August 2021, it was confirmed that Frank Ocean will headline the Coachella festival in 2023.
December 25, 2021: Release of new untitled song on Blonded Radio
On December 25, 2021, Frank Ocean released a new 9-minute untitled song on his Beats 1 radio show Blonded Radio featuring music contribution from Cory Henry.
June 2022: Talks to direct first feature film with A24
In June 2022, it was announced that Frank Ocean was in talks to direct his first feature film, with A24 producing.
January 10, 2023: Coachella headlining announcement
On January 10, 2023, Coachella announced Frank Ocean would be headlining the festival on April 16 and 23, marking his first live performances since 2017.
October 2023: Ocean signs Artists4Ceasefire open letter for Gaza
In October 2023, Frank Ocean signed the Artists4Ceasefire open letter urging President Joe Biden to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
2023: Scheduled Coachella headlining performance
Frank Ocean was confirmed to headline Coachella in 2023.
January 2025: Confirmed directorial debut
In January 2025, Frank Ocean's directorial debut was confirmed, with David Jonsson announced as the lead and the movie shooting in Mexico City.
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