Rap-Up.com || The New York Times Declares Frank Ocean ‘The Self-Made Prince of Pop’

Armed with six nominations, Grammy’s golden child Frank Ocean covers this weekend’s New York Times Magazine. Proclaimed “the self-made prince of pop,” the 25-year-old singer, who typically avoids interviews (“I just don’t trust journalists”), opens up about his rocky road to success, his love of BMWs, and his freedom to do whatever he wants.

“I have no delusions about my likability, in every scenario,” Ocean told the reporter, who interviewed him at a BMW repair shop in L.A. “I know that in order to get things done the way you want them, oftentimes your position will be unpopular.”

After the success of his 2011 mixtape Nostalgia, Ultra, Ocean’s camp reportedly called Island Def Jam chairman Barry Weiss to demand $1 million for his follow-up record.

“I don’t believe that I had actually heard anything at that point. But we did something atypical, that most labels I don’t think would do. We stepped up. We wrote the check. Virtually album-unheard, sight-unseen, we believed so much in this guy that we actually wrote the check,” said Weiss.

Following the Grammys, Ocean will head to Shanghai and record his next album “in remote locations for the next two years.”

He is also writing a book. “I’ve started writing the book,” he said. “You can say that. It’s fiction, and it’s about brothers. That’s all I’m going to say.”

But don’t expect to see him transitioning into acting out of fear of being blackballed. “I don’t like the idea of there being somebody who could break me,” he said. “There’s no head of a label right now who could break me.”

Ocean is up for six awards at Sunday’s 55th Annual Grammy Awards including Best New Artist, Record of the Year, and Album of the Year for channel ORANGE.

See more photos from the shoot and read the full story at NYTimes.com.

Photo credit: Ryan McGinley/The New York Times

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79 Comments

Ethan
February 7th, 2013 at 12:29 pm
Well he can keep dreaming

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Marcia Reply:
February 7th, 2013 at 12:56 pm
@Ethan, You mad, bro? lol

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100% Amazing Reply:
February 8th, 2013 at 2:58 pm
@Marcia,

New York Times…are the next GQ magazine…feeding Horse-sh*t to donkeys

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Bee Reply:
February 7th, 2013 at 2:51 pm
@Ethan, I know right

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Mickey
February 7th, 2013 at 12:31 pm
…somewhere in the world Chris Brown & Justin Bieber are having bitch fits. “Prince of Pop?!” LMAO! I love Frank.

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T Reply:
February 7th, 2013 at 12:44 pm
@Mickey, when they focus on being artistically viable vs Commercial successes their complaints may be valid. Chris has yet to deliver a truly great or innovative album in my opinion and its said because he has the talent. Bieber is pure product and artistically it will take him a great deal of time to reach that plateau.

Lyrically, production wise, artistically or in terms of innovation or sonically neither Bieber or Chris are seeing Frank. Sorry. Frank I’d on his merit.

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Tev Milli Reply:
February 7th, 2013 at 3:45 pm
@T, Preach my good brother

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100% Amazing Reply:
February 8th, 2013 at 3:02 pm
@Tev Milli,

what planet have you been on?!

I hope Frank doesn’t believe this horsesh*t lol

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Elvis Reply:
February 8th, 2013 at 12:19 am
@T, Okkkkaaayyy…Whats is it that makes franks album artistically viabe to make him a candidate for the prince of pop….I still to this day fail to understand why people are in Franks ass this much. Lets be realistic….The prince of pop as of now is Justin Bieber.

Frank has put out a sub par album that I feel realistically is nowhere near as good as Biebers.

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StarsAreBlind Reply:
February 7th, 2013 at 12:45 pm
@Mickey, I’ve never even heard Frank referred to as a pop artist. New York Times is just being messy.

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meme Reply:
February 7th, 2013 at 12:53 pm
@StarsAreBlind, he is actually more a pop artist then R&B. I think we ppl are trying to force the R&B title on him but his style is far from R&B its more indi-pop/folk/alternative if you ask me.

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rrr Reply:
February 7th, 2013 at 3:24 pm
@meme, more indi/folk/alternative/soul but not pop

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susan Reply:
February 7th, 2013 at 4:31 pm
@Mickey, How the heck is he King of Pop, he has know platnium singles,albums. Actually if you go by who has top the POP chart, more is Usher, Bruno Mars, Chris Brown, Neyo, they all have top 10 hits on the hot 100. He is all hype, because honestly I think Miguel did better than all of them in 2012. CB ruled 2011, Usher ruled 2010 R & B, Pop charts. If you are talking about Pop, Bruno Mars is killing everyone, he is putting hit after hit and selling way over platnium. Frank Ocean is overhyped.

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Twista
February 7th, 2013 at 12:39 pm
Enough already! I think Frank is an amazingly talented musician and songwriter, but this is overkill. Not at all his fault – I’m venting against the media and their ever-growing need to overhype artists within seconds of them hitting it big or debuting onto the scene.

Frank is young and has decades of great work ahead of him – give the man time to grow, damn.

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Brass_knucklez Reply:
February 7th, 2013 at 12:50 pm
@Twista, I agree 100%. I think Frank is the truth but media is too quick to give someone a crown in this industry these days. Allow him to achieve greatness consecutively before giving him every damn accolade there is.

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Kyle Reply:
February 7th, 2013 at 1:18 pm
@Twista, Very well said. I couldn’t agree more. I feel like the media is trying to make him bigger than he really is. I understand the critical acclaim and I appreciate his artistry but they’re trying to make him out to be the best thing since sliced bread.

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dash Reply:
February 7th, 2013 at 1:28 pm
@brass-knucklez, arent you the same person that hype Nicki up above legends on other blog posts! Wow you speak differently on this post “allow him to achieve greatness.” Ocean is actually nominated for 5 grammys and majorly talented and ORIGINAL, but yet you say allow this TALENTED man to continue proving that he is great. oh,ok. lol

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@princejawsh
February 7th, 2013 at 12:44 pm
i thought he sings r&b music?

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MC Reply:
February 7th, 2013 at 12:55 pm
Definition of Pop Music : Popular Music

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rrr Reply:
February 7th, 2013 at 3:25 pm
@MC, u ever hear his music on the radio, cause i dont

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Yasmine Reply:
February 7th, 2013 at 1:00 pm
@@princejawsh, His music spreads over a wide variety of genres. I think, at one point, Frank even said he’s not an R&B artist exclusively.

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Chazzarae
February 7th, 2013 at 12:55 pm
Id figure with a hot grammy notimated album he would be droping singles/videos left and right (see Rihanna)… I know he just shot a video for “Forest Gump” but shiiittt he should be on single #5 by now he coulda dropped Forest Dump, Pink Matter, Sweet Life, Super Rich Kids, etc…a good album going to waste.

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Victoria Reply:
February 7th, 2013 at 1:00 pm
@Chazzarae, I agree. I love Frank, but I don’t know what he’s doing. channel ORANGE could have probably been platinum by now if he were releasing those videos. That album is definitely one of the best of 2012.

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channelPink Reply:
February 7th, 2013 at 1:07 pm
@Chazzarae, He’s critically acclaimed. His album is already certified Gold despite not being sold at Target. and After his Grammy wins he will sell. So he’s good. And 5 singles have already been released.

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Morgan
February 7th, 2013 at 12:58 pm
Congrartulations, Frank! He is insanely talented (as is Miguel) and I see people comparing the two all the time. I try not to make any correlations (and I prefer Frank more) and just revel in their artistry. With Frank nominated for 6 Grammys and Miguel nominated for 4 (hoping they each win at least 2), Grammy night is bound to be spectacular … especially with their performances.

But again, this was about Frank. Sooo…yeah. Love it!

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opd2
February 7th, 2013 at 1:16 pm
This is getting ridiculous,yes he have talent but come on now,but a prince of pop he is not in my opinion,whatever i guess.

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really
February 7th, 2013 at 1:25 pm
While I am not a fan of his music, its nice to see him receive positive feedback from such a prestigious magazine.Good for him and I wish him luck on those Grammy noms. Wow did he say he will be taking 2yrs to work on his next album, interesting.

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WayneRules2012
February 7th, 2013 at 1:29 pm
Chris b will beat riri again! Can’t wait for that day

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Sharlyn Reply:
February 7th, 2013 at 2:18 pm
@WayneRules2012, How is that related to this article?

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Prouy of Uk 2013 Reply:
February 8th, 2013 at 12:23 am
@WayneRules2012, this ain’t got nothing to do with this article you dumbie bum OOO somebody can’t wait for u to get your ass knock out of your teeth

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Dre
February 7th, 2013 at 1:38 pm
I can’t wait for two years , I need more music man ,channel orange was a classic man

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MEETXR Reply:
February 7th, 2013 at 3:12 pm
@Dre, same thing I was thinking man I was hoping he’d drop another album by the end of the year.

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James227
February 7th, 2013 at 1:41 pm
You call singing about another man Classic>

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Jess Reply:
February 7th, 2013 at 10:11 pm
@James227, Petty fool. That’s irrelevant.

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xedos
February 7th, 2013 at 1:59 pm
Miguel will not get a cover like this unless he said he’s gay.

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Ewan Reply:
February 7th, 2013 at 10:12 pm
@xedos, Frank never said he was gay and as for Miguel …. does he really have to?

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James227
February 7th, 2013 at 2:00 pm
The NY Times is like the Village Voice

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James227
February 7th, 2013 at 2:01 pm
I mean NY Times Mag. is another Village Voice. If your from NY you know what I mean

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Raj
February 7th, 2013 at 2:19 pm
Congrats, homie.

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Dee
February 7th, 2013 at 2:25 pm
Overhype. He just made gold and they are giving him a crown. That is setting the bar high on his sophomore album. I heard more about the gangnam style song than his music. Just my opinion

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Nathan Reply:
February 7th, 2013 at 10:13 pm
@Dee, So obvious you’ve not heard channel ORANGE.

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letmeloveu
February 7th, 2013 at 2:33 pm
pop?! lmfao

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Dave
February 7th, 2013 at 2:44 pm
hype

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Heather Reply:
February 7th, 2013 at 10:14 pm
@Dave, That your fave will never have. Sit down.

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Wellalright
February 7th, 2013 at 3:05 pm
So overrated I mean his good but no no where near prince of pop

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MMmHmm
February 7th, 2013 at 3:08 pm
IM NOT HERE FOR NEW YORK TIMES NOW BEING STAN FOR HIM, WHERE WERE THEY WHEN HIS FIRST ALBUM WAS RELEASED? WHERE WAS EVERYBODY ELSE?

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Isaac1818
February 7th, 2013 at 3:10 pm
I think that the title is kinda premature.

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valerie
February 7th, 2013 at 3:12 pm
Great article!

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Have A Seat
February 7th, 2013 at 3:53 pm
They just doing that because he “came out”. If know knew about his sexuality NY times or any other mainstream media would not checking for him. He has alot of talent, but c’mon man. I would crown Bruno Mars over him

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Mohamed Reply:
February 7th, 2013 at 10:14 pm
@Have A Seat, Bruno Mars is good, but he’s no Frank Ocean. Give this man his credit without playing the sexual orientation card.

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ysee Reply:
February 8th, 2013 at 10:04 pm
@Mohamed, Bruno >>>>> Frank all day…Bruno has hits, sales, etc….and a Grammy….stop the madness, Bruno would sing Frank under a table….also, Bruno actually does Pop music for real…check his stats… 5 number 1 Pop Singles…BITCH!

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Ursula
February 7th, 2013 at 4:35 pm
I think they are infatuated with the fact that he is a gay, black male r&b singer, the only one to make an announcement like that thus far. To me, channel orange was a good start but really wasn’t versatile or commercial enough. They’re hyping him up for reasons other than the music which is pathetic.

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Purple Oak Carter
February 7th, 2013 at 4:41 pm
Im so tired of this sugar plum fairy.
This nucca cant even sing!
Hes like that one guy in the choir who THINKS he can sing but you sitting in the pew making a stank face everytime he opens his mouth.

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Grant Reply:
February 7th, 2013 at 10:31 pm
@Purple Oak Carter, Wack ass hell, weak as hell shade. Try again.

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Hov
February 7th, 2013 at 4:43 pm
prince of pop? he doesnt make pop music, he makes slow boring ass music, i dont even now what type of music he makes, but it sucks, and he sucks, literally, faggot

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dazzlingera
February 7th, 2013 at 6:01 pm
micheal jackson as the King of Pop would surely disagree!!!

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Rachel Reply:
February 7th, 2013 at 10:32 pm
@dazzlingera, Mike gave Justin Bieber and Chris Brown props and you think he’d diss someone like Frank Ocean? LMFAO.

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Ice
February 7th, 2013 at 6:06 pm
Am I the only one that cringed at “How much deeper can Frank Ocean go?”

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Dan Reply:
February 8th, 2013 at 3:55 am
@Ice, I thought the same thing! Damn poor choice of words!

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josh
February 7th, 2013 at 6:11 pm
lmao america do frank even do pop music… stop gas the negro up… thats the problem with american this country believe anything the media say…

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Andrew Reply:
February 7th, 2013 at 10:33 pm
@josh, Some of Frank’s music is pop. You need to listen to his music before making foolish comments.

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josh
February 7th, 2013 at 6:14 pm
must be his boyfriend over at new your time write the article

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Quest Reply:
February 7th, 2013 at 10:34 pm
@josh, So your dad is a journalist?

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josh Reply:
February 8th, 2013 at 8:27 am
@Quest, why it offend you seems like your the one over their.

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GSTAR
February 7th, 2013 at 7:58 pm
heeeeell no!

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Wayne Reply:
February 7th, 2013 at 10:33 pm
@GSTAR, Aww, don’t be jealous!

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GSTAR
February 7th, 2013 at 8:00 pm
he dont even have a genre and they call him pop??? fucccccckkkk ouuuutta here!

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OnToThe
February 7th, 2013 at 8:00 pm
“How much deeper can he go?” I think that question should be directed at whoever is giving him the business in that cover photo.

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RagerNYK
February 7th, 2013 at 8:56 pm
Most of yall are too ignorant to appreciate good music. Dudes saying that he wouldn’t get this coverage if he didn’t come out, yet people were saying Pyramids was the song of the year when he released it in June. Grow up.

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Omar
February 7th, 2013 at 11:04 pm
These comments are so damn ignorant. Bunch of laptop critics with no musical talent anywhere in your bodies. Frank is winning, gay or not, so y’all continue to hate.

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Arie
February 7th, 2013 at 11:26 pm
I guess the definition of Pop has changed. I sincerely hope he can live up to the hype.

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Prouy of Uk 2013
February 8th, 2013 at 12:20 am
When did he start doing Pop Music?

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Elvis
February 8th, 2013 at 2:26 am
Okkkkaaayyy…Whats is it that makes franks album artistically viable to make him a candidate for the prince of pop….I still to this day fail to understand why people are in Franks ass this much. Lets be realistic….The prince of pop as of now is Justin Bieber.

Frank has put out a sub par album that I feel realistically is nowhere near as good as Biebers.

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channelPink Reply:
February 8th, 2013 at 7:44 am
@Elvis, You’re deaf.

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HOVorJefe
February 8th, 2013 at 3:04 am
GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE.

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BEDSTUYFLY
February 8th, 2013 at 7:45 am
PRINCE OF POP? WTF? FRANK IS A DOPE ARTIST… BUT LETS NOT GET CRAZY.

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Monkeyman
February 8th, 2013 at 9:46 am
Over HYPE! He is talented of course but too soon to crown him.

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♦CorCor♦
February 8th, 2013 at 2:44 pm
He doesn’t do pop music though…?
Justin Bieber = Pop
Chris Brown = R&B/Pop
Frank Ocean = R&B

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QUEEN AZEALIA BANKS IS THE GREATEST FEMALE RAPPER EVER, AND YA'LL N- WITH BAD TASTE WILL DEAL
February 8th, 2013 at 6:44 pm
LMAO He ain’t no prince of pop. He looks like he’s getting some backdoor action in that cover tho. LOOOOL

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