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Hip-Hop Singer Frank Ocean Of Odd Future Comes Out About Gay Relationship

Hip-hop/R&B singer Frank Ocean has revealed his first experience with love was a “hopeless”same-sex relationship he had with another man.

On Tuesday the “Novacane” singer blogged, “What I’m about to post is for anyone who cares to read. It was intended to fill the thank yous section in my album credits [for Channel Orange], but with all the rumors going round, I figured it’d be good to clarify.”

Ocean, 24, then went on to explain that four years ago, he met “somebody”:

I was 19 years old. He was too. We spent that summer, and the summer after, together. Every day almost, and on the day we were together, time would glide. Most of the day I’d see him, and his smile. By the time I realized I was in love, it was malignant. It was hopeless.”

In the message, apparently first written in December 2011, Ocean indicated the other man was already spoken for. But the singer says says being open about his past has allowed him “to feel like a free man.”

Born Christopher Breaux, Ocean started out as a songwriter for stars like  Justin Bieber and John Legend before joning Tyler, the Creator’s alternative hip-hop collective, Odd Future. He’s garnered acclaim for his mixtapes, and singles like “Novacane” and “Swim Good,” and recently appeared on Kanye West and Jay-Z’s Watch the Throne.

Rumors about Ocean’s orientation started in earnest after some of the ballads on his upcoming album, Channel Orange, made reference to “he,” instead of the expected “she.” Music mogul Russell Simmons immediately took to Global Grind to share his support:

“Today is a big day for hip-hop. It is a day that will define who we really are.  How compassionate will we be? How loving can we be? How inclusive are we?

I am profoundly moved by the courage and honesty of Frank Ocean.  Your decision to go public about your sexual orientation gives hope and light to so many young people still living in fear. These types of secrets should not matter anymore, but we know they do, and because of that I decided to write this short statement of support for one of the greatest new artists we have.

His gifts are undeniable.  His talent, enormous.  His bravery, incredible.  His actions this morning will uplift our consciousness and allow us to become better people.  Every single one of us is born with peace and tranquility in our heart.  Frank just found his.

Frank, we thank you.  We support you.  We love you.

Ditto.

 

Channel Orange hits stores on July 17.

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