Frank Ocean Leaves Def Jam, Releases 'Blonde' Independently

Frank Ocean’s Blonde continues to make waves. After its critically-heralded release, reports say that the Grammy-winning crooner is no longer on Def Jam Recordings and that Blonde is an independent release.

Originally, some believed Ocean was still on the iconic label that released his debut album, 2012’s channel ORANGE, after signing him in 2009. However, The FADER confirms that his visual album Endless fulfilled the singer’s Def Jam obligations.

Full Blonde credits aren’t available yet, but Apple Music notes that the album was released through Boys Don’t Cry, which is believed to be the name of Ocean’s independent label.

Frank has had a complicated relationship with Def Jam. In 2011, he released the free mixtape Nostalgia, Ultra independently, despite his deal. When asked about the label that same year, he explained that they were “good now.” The following year, channel ORANGE was released to critical acclaim.

But Blonde just might be his biggest album yet. Critics have almost unanimously praised the project and industry forecasters have projected that it will debut at No. 1, making it his highest-charting LP to date.

Fellow artists like Kanye West and Adele are also clamoring over Blonde. Longtime friend Tyler, the Creator even baked a cake for it, which Frank shared on Tumblr.

“:) Birthday cake for Blonde,” he wrote. “Thanks Tyler.”

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