A staple in the minds of many a music critic, Frank Ocean‘s name has been etched (seemingly with ink) in headlines the globe over ever since his truth-baring letter was made public last week.
And with a high-profile performance on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon slated for this evening, multiple sources are confirming that -in light of recent events- the release of his hotly anticipated album ‘Channel Orange’ has been pushed up. All the way up.
Details after the jump…
According to an array of sources (many of which attended the pre-filmed show), ‘Orange’ will hit iTunes tonight following the 24 year old’s performance – a week ahead of its physical release on July 17th.
Peep the laundry-list of tweets below:
jimmy fallon
@jimmyfallon
.@frank_ocean on the show tonight. Tune in for a big announcement about his new album.
Lindsey Weber @lindseyweber
Am I allowed to say? Frank Ocean’s album is out TONIGHT on iTunes, at 12:30 AM when Fallon airs. Smart move.
Kristine Abrenica @KBAbrenica
Just saw @frank_ocean perform ‘Bad Religion’ with @mrvndctr. Too dope.
KELLY @kellyclancy (Ocean’s manager)
i wouldn’t miss frank ocean on fallon tonight…trust me..
Kristine Abrenica @KBAbrenica
Buy @frank_ocean’s new album ‘Channel Orange’ on iTunes now!!
Alex Peav @peav90x
Frank Ocean’s debut album is being released tonight, midnight on iTunes. You’re welcome.
******
If indeed the case, it’ll be a stroke of genius on the part of his label Def Jam. It’s a given that certain sects will lash out at the fact that Ocean’s frankness on his sexuality is being used for commercial gain. Yet, folk all too often forget one potent point – the music business is just that…a business. Record sales ensure security not just for the label, but for the artist. The latter being a word that Ocean embodies thoroughly; and with the current climate favouring models who peddle tuneless nursery rhymes, the commercial success of “a Frank Ocean” could have the best of affects on the sales potential of “quality” music. Or, in playing Devil’s Advocate, music – which at the very least – isn’t lyrically limited to sex or getting drunk.
Time will tell.
Randomness: The geek in yours truly has me amped at the likely potential of this spelling an automatic two-week reign for Ocean atop of the Billboard 200 – this week with the digital sales, and next when the physicals are tossed into the mix.