Frank Ocean, born Christopher Edwin Breaux, is a singer and dynamic lyricist. Looking back through his discography, it’s no wonder that he got his start in the music industry with his pen. He has written songs for Beyoncé, Justin Bieber, Brandy Norwood, and more. He also was a part of Odd Future as a ghostwriter. Odd Future is a hip-hop collective with members such as Tyler, The Creator, Syd the Kid, Earl Sweatshirt, Taco Bennet, and more. The collective jumpstarted many of the artists’ solo careers. Ocean was a part of Odd Future from 2010-2015.

While his writing is impressive, most fans fell in love with his voice. He released his debut mixtape Nostalgia, Ultra in 2011. The mixtape contained songs such as “Novacane,” “Swim Good,” and more. After the release of his mixtape, he accepted a record deal with Def Jam.

For Ocean, it’s quality over quantity. For someone who only has two studio albums in a day and age where most artists have a new album every year, he still reigns as one of the most influential artists in the past decade. Both studio albums Channel Orange (2012), and Blonde (2016) are critically acclaimed as they show off his impressive lyricism and sultry deep vocals. In 2016, he released his visual album Endless. He did so in order to fulfill his contractual obligations with the label. A day after the release of Endless, he self-released his second studio album Blond.

Frank Ocean: Present Day

Ocean’s last full-length project was Blonde in 2016. He headlined Coachella this year for the first weekend. He didn’t return for the second weekend due to an ankle injury. He was replaced by Blink-182. However, in between songs during the first weekend, he left the audience confused about where he stood about new music on the way.

“I wanna talk about why we’re here because it’s not about the new album… not that there’s not a new album,” he said to the crowd.

Well, while we wait to see if we are to hear new music from him, take a look at seven of his best songs ranked below:

• 7. "Chanel" by Frank Ocean (2017)

  “Chanel” was released in 2017 as a solo single; his first since his studio album Blond and visual album Endless in 2016. The song is mostly known for the line, “My guy pretty like a girl,” which Frank opens the song with. He continues with, “I see both sides like Chanel/ See on both sides like Chanel,” referencing his bisexuality. In 2012, he came out as bisexual in an open letter on Tumblr. “Chanel” is certified platinum by the RIAA.

  Best line: “I see both sides like Chanel.”

• 6. "Pink + White" by Frank Ocean 'Blonde' (2016)

  Ocean speaks on mortality in “Pink + White” as he is remembering a close friend who has passed away. Given the time the song was released, he sings about a hurricane, most likely referencing Hurricane Katrina, which killed almost 2,000 people. At the time of Katrina, Ocean was a student at the University of New Orleans. He reveals the meaning of the title in the opening lines of the song, which is about his late friend and him watching the sunset. The song was produced by Pharrell Williams and has uncredited back vocals by Beyoncé.

  Best line: “In the wake of a hurricane/Dark skin of a summer shade”

• 5. "Lost" by Frank Ocean 'Channel Orange' (2012)

  “Lost” is the fourth single off of Ocean’s debut album Channel Orange. In the song, he sings about how a guy who drug supplier uses his girlfriend to transport his inventory. In the song, he wishes the best for her in the future, “I promise she’ll be whipping meals up for a family of her own some day.” “Lost” is certified gold by the RIAA.

  Best Line: Girl, you know you’re lost, lost in the thrill of it all

• 4. "Slide" by Calvin Harris ft. Migos and Frank Ocean 'Funk Way Bounces Vol. 1' (2017)

  Calvin Harris recruited Frank Ocean and the Migos for “Slide” which is found on the DJ’s album Funk Way Bounces Vol. 1. The album was released in 2017. This song was a mainstay on many summer playlists that year as the infectious energy by the Migos and Ocean’s calm demeanor balanced one another out. The song is about wanting to swap lives with a rich person for their access to the nicer things in life. This is the first time all of the artists have worked together.”Slide” is three times platinum by the RIAA.

  Frank’s best line: “All this jewelry ain’t no use when it’s this dark.”

• 3. "Pyramids" by Frank Ocean 'Channel Orange' (2012)

  In 10 minutes, Frank Ocean makes a reference to Cleopatra and how she was looked at after being Mark Antony’s mistress. He also tells the story of a Black woman who was once a Queen and now works on the Western hemisphere. He brings it to modern day and shows how the stories are similar with him and a woman he dated. She left him for “better”… but it so happens that the man she is now with is broke. In order to keep their bills paid she must get a job as a stripper. Frank uses “pyramids” to reference a strip club and double back on his previous mention of Cleopatra. “Pyramids” is certified gold by the RIAA.

  Best line: “She’s working at the pyramid tonight.”

• 2. "Thinkin Bout You" by Frank Ocean (2012)

  You can’t help when you think about Frank Ocean you think about this song. “Thinkin Bout You” is the first single off of Channel Orange. He sings about still having feelings for an ex although he is trying to keep a nonchalant attitude. It is Frank’s longest charting song on the Billboard Hot 100 with 28 weeks on the chart. “Thinkin Bout You” was nominated for Record Of The Year at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards.

• 1. "Novacane" by Frank Ocean 'Nostalgia, Ultra' (2011)

  It’s hard to believe that this is Frank Ocean’s debut solo single because it’s just so good. It was released as the lead song from his 2011 mixtape Nostalgia, Ultra. In the song, Frank sings about a woman who makes him feel like he’s taken novocaine, an anesthetic, during sex. He uses the name of the drug as a metaphor throughout the song. To play into the metaphor more, the woman is also a dental school student where novocaine is used for dental operations. The song is currently certified platinum by the RIAA.

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