Without a doubt, Frank Ocean‘s ‘Channel Orange’ is set to be one of 2012’s highest selling LPs.
Already selling over 100,000 units via digital outlets, the LP is on course to dominate the Billboard Hot 100 for two consecutive weeks- following the release of its physical copies this coming week
Now world renown producer Jermaine Dupri has lent his support to the ‘Novacane‘ singer.
His interesting take on the situation below…
By way of an open letter, Dupri declared:
When I saw the # that Frank Ocean is suppose to hit next week, I got extremely Happy,I said I need to get in my car and and listen to this album,by the time I got to “Sweet Life” I was even more happy,finally!! a RnB album that’s hip,with out having the same 5 rappers on every song,I actually hope he hits 200k,for the sake of RnB,it’s in the worst position it’s ever been since I started making music,The Record company’s don’t believe in it,Radio won’t play it if it don’t have a rapper,and a majority of the artist that arelabeled RnB,are confused and lost,so I repeat,I hope Ocean sells more than the 125k that he’s on pace for,maybe these executives u’llwake the fuck up,or at least try to copy what he’s doing,like they always do, by the way,the end of “Pyramids” jammin like a mufucka.
Though the Trey Songz and Lloyd’s of the world may take this as a slight to their cause, Dupri makes a valid point- R&B is in trouble.
Perhaps down to the vacant message behind its sound ( “we in the club/tippin’ strippers/watchin’ that a** bounce’), casual audiences have become all the way turned off with the genre- opting for music which is just as generic but far more progressive in its approach.
For, while we’re not saying ‘Channel Orange‘ is anybody’s ‘Thriller’, it is groundbreaking in what it represents- a classic sound forward thinking enough to woo contemporary audiences, without ever sounding dated or desperate to fit the mold.
Here’s hoping the success of Kelly Rowland‘s ‘Motivation’, Usher‘s ‘Climax‘ and Ocean‘s ‘Sweet Life‘ will encourage more R&B acts to broaden their creative horizons.
Because at it stands, while the genre may be shown love in the club, the number of R&B performers picking up Grammys, VMAs and the like is all too indicative of its dire situation.
Frank can Save RNB?
And look how low he had to sink to do it? He is has stiff competition from the Zac brown bad. He could never have done this he did not make gay loves songs and come out – the try and pull the gay card on target.
Elton John and George Michael NEVER USED THEII GAYNESS TO SELL.
Also, they are white men. Big difference.
He came out AFTER media outlets reported that he’s singing about men. And so what that he has some love songs about men. FINALLY we have an artist who’s being true to himself instead of hiding his sexuality meanwhile making homophobic statements to prevent people from knowing their truth. Frank makes music of substance. Have you listened to the album? He addresses so many social issues. From drug addiction to teenage pregnancy. He has something to say and it isn’t your typical let’s pop bottles, call women b****** and h*** crap!
Ok bruh!. Using a ‘gay card’ has never helped anyone sell albums. Who says ‘I’m going to come out just to sell albums. Yes, that’ll get me to number 1’. If you listen to his music, you see that he’s honest and his music is honest. I hope, one day, or in another lifetime, those who have ignorant views against gays have to come out as ‘straights’. Let’s see how you handle it. It’s ridiculous the s*** people say just because someone comes out. LOL @ ‘hecannotusethegaycard’. STFU you ignorant know-nothing!
it did not help him sell records directly but gave him the the publicity he could never have gotten on his own.
his albums great but if he did not take the gamble, it wud have been the case of a great rnb album underperforming commercially like the likes of music soulchild, estelle e.t.c
its way too early to judge if this album will be very successful though am really wishing it goes platnum but with no hit song , it will be hard to maintain dis place.
all classic rnb albums always have at least one hit
@Sam, I hate this new voting system, I MEANT TO LIKE this comment!
@kelly
How can he save R&B? If the POWERS THAT BE devoted more time to the genre and allowed R&B to be the success it once was, then no idiot would think that a man who admits to sleeping with Men and Women could save the damn genre. I’m offended!
Adam Lambert came in the game admitting to be homosexual and never flinched. George Michael was outted which was wrong but it happened after a long and successful career. It also happened during a different era. I have no problem with Frank Ocean being gay although that’s not really what he implied, more like bisexual which is an entirely different thing! I said it before and will say it again, he will be crowned the “KANG OF R&B” didn’t I tell you?
But Frank doesn’t really scream R&B to me, a nd i don’t think he wants to be…hense why he labels his songs pop. Versus artist like Miguel, Elle Varner, Stacy Barthe, Marsha Ambrosious, Jhene Aiko, and Bridget Kelly…who all have what it takes to truly save R&B.
Let us see how the next LP does. He cannot use the gay card.
I get it, you’re pressed! Just have a seat like someone with some fuckinng sense w****!
Omg! Lmaoooooooo!
Stop being so press and get the f** out his post
Thank you! It’s quite different from the “wooo is me pity party card ” played by some. The “gay card” has an expiration date or will simply fade away once the next big story takes ppls focus away from the subject!
Frank ocean albums is amazing
I hope he exceeds sales expectations as well! I reiterate what I said last time, he is very talented, writes his own music and isn’t afraid to take risks with his music. His album has gotten great reviews by critics as well. The music has spoken. I support talent. I do not care about any silliness surrounding his sexuality. People feel like he used his sexuality to boost sales, I disagree because before he “came out” or what have you, the media was already reporting that he was using “He” in his songs and questioning his sexuality. Frank only responded as the debate heated up. Get over it. If you feel he used his sexuality for sales, well, people like Madonna have been creating controversy their entire careers to garner attention/sales the only difference with Frank is he actually has the talent to back up the “controversy”.He is a fantastic songwriter.
One more difference is that he just said a truth and those you are refering to created fake controversy
Touché.
Of course it’s gotten rave reviews LOL! Do you think in a limitted media controlled environemnt where 99% of all media is owned by 5 source (e.g. News Corp owns all Fox holdings to include radio stations, cable/tv, newspaper magazines) they will say something negative about his CD? No this CD will recieve a Grammy and he will be heralded as the “KANG OF R&B”.
He is getting pushed heavily wow! now I will wait for those who like to criticize publicity stunts becoz lately Frank been pulling a lot of them, who waits to tell the world his gay before dropping an album? as usual the gullible America will eat this s*** up, everyone at Roc nation is a devil worshipper.
And chris brown is a bisexual -i the closet tho- who smokes crack and beats women. Stop being a hater because your fav flopped
:O
A hater? damn you might be right about that one… I dont dislike Frank Ocean personally but an artist associated with the Media machine, illuminati cult I despise! because hardworking artists who are better have no way of excelling because they havent sold their souls and Chris has his own problems I dont argue that but that evil playground they call the music industry is for people like you who insult and bring down people because the media is doing it…yes if I must compare Chris Brown is more talented then half of those artists in that cult,its a pity he is trying to join it coz they r bent on destroying him!
B**** please! Chris Brown can be accused of many things including “beastilogy” for his time spent with a goat but bisexual and gay…YAWN trick come again!
Chile you being a Chris Brown fan should be the last to talk about publicity stunts. Chris is the QUEEN of publicity stunts! Did he not leak a n*** pic to gather sales? Smash a window? Twitter beef with 2652388734888 people? Make two songs with his ex? Tried to bully his fans into buying his music because he gave them free music all year? Show off his “warrior” scratch followed by a long “tough guy rant” from the nightclub incident? Release a diss track? Please just pick one _/ _/ Who knows what he’ll pull next considering his album is flopping! If Frank pulled a publicity, at least he has the talent to back it up. He doesn’t make the same crappy music over and over again then claim its the second coming like your fave. Bitter because he’s slated to outsell your fave considering all the stunts Chris Brown pulled? Too bad. Chris Brown is one of the people who Jermaine Dupri is referring to. He’s helping ruin R&B.
I didnt say Chris doesnt pull stunts, I commented knowing that… my point is the Industry is controlled and you are all too ignorant and stupid to take the time to study and understand which people run this f***** world, Im not happy Chris has resorted to publicity stunts and if you saw my previous posts I call him out on his b*******! just as much I will call out these fake ass controlled artists.
Do you know how dumb people like you look when you cant see the bigger picture? you read my post right? did it have anything comparing Chris Brown to Frank Ocean? when you grow the ability to do “critical thinking” get right back at me.
Of course the industry is controlled in some aspects. No one denied that facet. Perhaps you shouldve made that point clear. However you spoke of publicity stunts as if your fave hasn’t pulled any. If people were eating his music up, you wouldn’t have a single complaint. You’d be posting comments to the “haters” about his accomplishments all the while claiming that the media is out to get him so just stop. You want us to see the bigger picture? Oh do let me guess what that bigger picture is. These devil worshippers that you claim Roc Nation is comprised of, runs the world right? You made such a statement without any factual evidence. Please spare me your findings from YouTube videos and Wikipedia pages because I’m not interested in that mumbo jumbo. Do you know how dumb you look by implying that everything is a conspiracy? Please seek counseling and medical attention. This way you can ramble on about your conspiracy theories and devil worshipping evidence to people who’ll listen attentively and give a damn. I won’t and don’t. You are dismissed.
Again! you read like a horse with blinders on, I said Roc Nation is full of Devil worshipers who worship powerful people who control Media, Music, Wars etc(these guys think satan is their messiah, but oh no I said Roc Nation controls the world…just because Im on here doesnt mean I am misguided like you, who said I get my info from youtube or wikipedia?
You dont want me to start educating you on a gossip site, a lot of people read these comments and will see who is full of crap between us…ofcourse the dumb ones will take your side LOL! (had to throw that one in there)
Chris is already in the illuminati. My 2 cents.
Delusional tricks need to ttake those seats they keep mentioning! __/__/__/ <– Chris Brown has NEVER STARTED A TWITTER BEEF with anyone! He has a right to defend himself when attack. Last I checked BLACK MEN WHERE FREE! Lets see:
1) Miranda Lambert (homewrecking w**** who was screwing Blake Sheldon knowing damn well he was married) attacks him about a 3 year old t*** fight yet the RACIST B**** was cheering for Glen Campbell who has beaten mutiple women including ex-wife Country Great Tanya Tucker knocking out her 2 front teeth.
2) RazB attacked him about the same 3 year old t*** fight as part of his endless publicity stunt (Omarion, Marcus Houston Chris Stokes etc) to revive a career NO ONE WANTS TO SEE RETURN! He should have just pulled a Frank Ocean and been done with it!
3) 35-yr-old white male wrestler CM Punk (was arrested for DV by the way) attacks 22-yr-old black R&B star Chris Brown citing the 3 yr old t*** fight. Funny how this RACIST B**** couldn't muster the courage to threaten adult white males like Charlie Sheen, Mel Gibson, Tommy Lee, Eminem, Glen Campebll, alan Jackson, Sean Penn, Sean Connery, christian Slater, Ozzy Osbourne, John McEnroe, etc. who all beat multiple women or the same woman many times!
4) Poor, sad, and sorry 40 something yr old Brian McKight once again attacks CB about a t*** fight all becuase he was mad no one would accept the MIDLIFE CRISIS PSYCHOTIC MUSICAL BREAKDOWN he was having…"Let me show you how you p*ssy works…did you know it could squirt"….Biran tis tis brother tis tis! 🙂
Did I miss anyone? LMAO
LOVE YOU BREEZY….FORTUNE IS MY CD let the critics drool over ol' boy, it's all good baby!! 23-year-old, handsome, successful and never bows to the POWERS THAT BE…..my boy! 🙂
pUH-LEASE he is not a pigeon-holed R&B artist. Go find your messiah elsewhere
LOL , oh but he is the new “KANG of R&B” bow down! All you need is media support to be declared the GREATEST OF ALL TIMES haven’t you ppl learned that by now?? 🙂
Why do you always have to throw Kelly Rowland in there as if Motivation is an R&B song “of substance.”And when we’re done/ I mean “I don’t want to feel my legs?” – You contradicted urself earlier in the post when u quoted that horrible “R&B” song about “making that a** bounce” or something… Motivation says just about the same thing.
But, to the topic at hand, I completely agree with Jermaine Dupri. Channel Orange is amazing.
I agree, what a contradiction with Kelly’s wafer-deep, meaningless “Motivation” being referred to as a good example. But hey I’m sure she’ll give them some interviews soon to promote “Ice” and her new album!
It’s going downhill on this site. Too much propaganda!
I don’t think he can single handedly but his album is a start
I’m sorry but all this industry ass kissing is starting to bore me. Where was everyone when he was Lonnie Breaux? When Nostalgia came out?
Anyway, for me this year SWV saved R&B and it deserves grammy wins. There’s nothing overly r&b about frank anyway.
I must also add that there are female & Male artists that have been churning out r&b with no recognition for years (KeKe, Kelly P, Ledisi, Rasharn Patterson, Carl Thomas, Joe) and newcomers like Daiey, Jamie Woon who are doing the same or better than Frank without the hype machine behind.
I think that Jermaine has discredited himself and any artists he has worked with recently (if any) by his comment.
WTF was everyone when DONNIE released “WELCOME TO THE COLORED SECTION”? This damn CD is still a classic and on rotation in my iPOD till this day. Donnie is an R&B cat with mad vocal range, songwriting ability, musical composition skills oh yeah and is G A Y! Didn’t stop me from buy that wonderful CD though!! Where the f*ck were you?? Donnie’s CD was PURE R&B not like Frank Ocean’s Indi, alternative, R&B crap!
Not really …but R KELLY bilal, d’angelo., dwele , Carl thomas, kem ,just to name a few males who’ve been staying true to r&b & keeping it alive. Jd should know this.
Hmmmmm I would say bilal and D’angelo are more soul but I agree with the rest. However, the people you’ve mentioned appeal to an older crowd. Frank Ocean along with Miguel can save R&B for the younger audience. These alleged R&B acts of today make so much pop music and watered down R&B, it’s a disgrace! They do it for the almighty dollar as opposed to doing it for the love of music. That’s why R&B is so s***** today. Just my two pence.
LOL and the comedy from you keeps coming! Dear no two ppl can save a genre. Damn sure not Frank Ocean and Miguel! You sound like the media fools who claim ADELE CAN SAVE SOUL MUSIC! Really? No but she will be pushed until their is no other soul artists left to compete!
Not really …but R KELLY bilal, d’angelo., dwele , Carl thomas, kem ,just to name a few males who’ve been staying true to r&b & keeping it alive. Jd should know this.
———————–
!!!!!!
D’angelo just got off crack. Let’s not kid ourselves.
And type of Crack did Frank Ocean just get off of? Right you don’t know, so have a seat trying to run over D’Angelo! Now that’s he’s on the media’s radar, you might find out somethings you didn’t want to know!
This Frank Ocean bandwagon-ing is getting overboard. The album was alright. There are plenty of R&B artists with good music. People just aren’t buying R&B music right now. Dance music is the popular craze at the moment. I do agree with him about the same rappers jumping on R&B tracks. Lil Wayne is always used to jump start an R&B career after a flop (Kelly Rowland, Keyshia Cole, Mya, etc). If JD and others want R&B to come back, they have to buy R&B.
Name the R&B acts that are in his age bracket that makes good R&B music. I know quite a few underground acts but in terms of mainstream acts, I don’t see many. As for the bandwagon, I think a lot of people are just really excited that he’s offering something different than what you normally hear today. Kinda like Adele. Her album was refreshing because we’ve grown accustomed to hearing the same ole crap. As is the case with Frank Ocean.
I’m sorry but I’m not interested in a homosexual “saving R&B.” That’s actually pretty embarrassing when you think about it.
It’s not embarrassing when it’s been happening for years and years.
eh MeccaMaddness we are in 2012, we do not ask you to suck his d*** but actually but to listen his music!!! only one song talk about that!!!!!!!!!
As if this guy is some messiah with that kind of power. GTFOHWTS. If Frank hadn’t opted to sing love songs about men and to post letters revealing his desires for them, no one would be talking about him now. He’d be flopping right along with everyone else. Don’cha get it? Delete the gay lyrical content and his music is not special or unique. Frank is 100% buzz right now, with people only pretending to actually like his music.
You have the audacity to criticize music with “we in the club/tippin’ strippers/watchin’ that a** bounce” themes when this guy releases an album on the heals of a stunt? He’s no more pure, authentic or genuine than Trey or T-Pain.
And Jermaine sounds desperate. A one-time popular producer who has since become passe, desperately hoping that an artist whose music sounds like nothing he ever touched can re-invite a genre so that he can finally get more work. If R&B is in such a dire straits, then I’m curious to know what Dupri — someone who is in the business and should have some pull, considering how long he’s been — is doing himself to fix the situation. Not a damn thing. He’s sitting on his hands hoping that some newcomer can make enough of an impact to save his career.
only one song have gay lyrics fool, and compare his music to trey or tpain show that you are a little bit stupid girl.
WELL DAMN,
ALLLLLLLLL OF THIS RIGHT HERE! 🙂
Why Does His Sexuality Matter , The Music Obviously SLAYS ! Look At The Reviews ! It’s Cute How People Wanna Say They Don’t Want A “Homo” Saving R&B When Many Are On The DL Because Of Ignorant People Like You !
Now when I listen to Thinkin bout you, It’s kind of obvious he was referring to a male. lol… But I agree with JD all of the “younger” R&B singers try to “go pop” and to get attention they do tracks with rappers. Artist like Trey Songz and Chris Brown must do pop tracks or songs with rappers to sell their albums (No shade b/c I like both). Another example is Kelly Rowland who’s first single ALWAYS has a rapper on it! (Dilemma, Like This & Motivation).
Chris Brown makes music he likes to dance to as he is a DANCE ARTIST with the ability to blend his sound. Others may be reaching for Pop songs but stop throwing CB in that mix. Chris actually likes rap and does some on his and other artists tracks so lets not go their!
When Country music acts record with Pop acts no one complains but let R&B and Hip Hop artist combine it’s all of a suddena probelm in the music industry? Hummm, interesting what is a problem when certain ppl do it but a wonderful idea when other do the same damn thing!! 0_O
Some of you guys are missing the point. What mainstream black young artist in this generation that has an album out that is making great waves with the critics AND the sales with the type of music he is making? He was buzz worthy before the homosexual claims came out because Nostraligia Ultra had over a million downloads already and his majority of his songs on youtube have thousands if not millions of views. He was gonn toa make big waves with or without the controversy. He is not the savior of r&b music, but he is a major start for the marketability of creative, thought provoking r&b with commercial success.
However, I do feel like the industry and people in general take for granite the gains that people like Maxwell, Jill Scott, Anthony Hamilton, and Rasheed have made in both the critical and commercial world of r&b/soul. Not only did Maxwell stay true the genre but was able to sale 300, 000 copies of his latest album in his first week and went on to be mutiplatium in the following months. Jill Scott has consistently had either Gold or Platinum albums including her number 1 album latest album that sold over 100, 000 it’s first week. Point of it All by A. Hamilton was certified Gold and sold over 100, 000 copies it’s first week and Raseed Devone had the same with his album. And don’t get me started on Sade. We have good music out there, it’s just getting more people, young people in general, to consistently take risk to keep the true r&b sound going with real, thought provoking lyrics and real soul singing and music.
Maxwell >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Francum Ocean.
LOL YES!!! 🙂
MAXWELL is an amazing artist along with Jill Scott who never receive the appreciation theu deserve from the media becuase the media has no interest in promoting R&B artists! For example remember when the MTV VMAs us to have a category honoring R&B artist’s videos? Look at the stunt the AMA pulled last yr in giving the Best Male R&B award to Usher off stage as they knew the sh*t they pulled was bogus and just wrong! Regardless of who received the award it should have been announced like everyone else IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA. There was no protest by black folks so expected to happen again!
Nah. Not feeling JD on this one. We all wanna see R&B come back hard, but I don’t need Frank to be the one ushering it in. This is all business, not creative. What label executives need to do is use their power and influence to get R&B music back on top 40 radio in full force. Payola is illegal, but there are other ways to coax programmers into playing your record. Once that happens, Billboard needs to change its Hot 100 charting criteria to be more about airplay than sales. From there R&B will have officially returned. It’s all corporate.
I agree with that as well. If record companies were doing there job and recruiting and promoting the best r&b talents out there, we would not be in the position we are in right now. I truly believe it was a set up to blacklist black artists and to force them to come out with this crap of today
THANK YOU!!
I keep telling ppl it’s THE POWERS THAT BE who control everything. Ppl can hate and blame individual artists (you are pop/country/indi lening therefore, I’m no buying UR CD) but no one person or group can effect a change. That has to come form within the industry with R&B music fan support!
Yes he can his album is amazing
This is so beyond R&B. The music business itself is dying. There are artists with songs that hit #1 for weeks and weeks, but whose albums don’t even sell a million copies. For Durpri to be hoping that he opens with 200k is telling. Notice how he didn’t say that he opened Ocean would go on to sell 3 or 4 million, but that he would open with 200k. Then what? Tumble down the charts after? The music business is far too concerned with opening week numbers. I wish we could take it back to pre-Sound Scan era, when all albums debuted with modest first week sales and low chart positions, and then ascended as time went on. That, to me, is the true marker of success…not first week numbers. I think it’s ludicrous that first week is basically an albums climax.
Miguel seems more R&B then Frank Ocean.
Jermaine should be pushing for other artists to do well, not just him. Once Frank’s momentary hype dies down, he won’t be doing any better than any of the others. If JD wants R&B back so bad, then why isn’t he putting it out? Isn’t he a producer? Doesn’t he have his own label? Stop bandwagoning Frank because of his buzz and do something to save this genre you’re so concerned about.
JD does still put out R&B artist and he also just did work on Monica’s new album! He can’t put out a project if nobodies going to buy it!
LetS just keep it real …white people are the only group who mostly consumes music LEGALLY ..therefore R&B is on life support because whites ,aren’t avid listeners of r&B, black artist are abandoning their roots in order to sell records while black music listeners are getting it for $free.99
I’m sorry, but back in the 90s when Mary J. Blige, Jodeci, Dru Hill, 112, Ginuwine, Aaliyah, etc., etc. were all going multi-platinum…who do you think were the main buyers of these albums? White people? I don’t think so. Illegal downloading is a problem for all artists of every genre (and white people get their s*** for free too.)
And just how many years ago had Jermain Dupri had a hit record?!
Maybe Mr. Dupri can have Frank Ocean sing to Janet and bring her back to him!
What if Frank, or one of his DL bisexual buddies, gives the monster to Jermain’s daughter, would he THEN feel the same?!
X,Y,”and Z”
JD has had more hits that Chris Brown. That’s all that matters. When CB has a track as massive as We Belong Together then you can talk.
JD is a producer, Chris Brown is an ARTIST dear! WHAT ARE YOU DRINKING OR SMOKING & can I have some? Who care about WBT did, it was a MC track. MC had Tommy Mattola money, power & influence behind her. Let’s not forget those important details. It’s not just about the producer JD. MC was the reason the song sold!
**If Chris Brown marries Tommy Mattola then yes we can talk about his success!! 🙂
Everybody everybody knows that roc nation buy their artist cd’s keep it real.
I hate that people are projecting their OWN hopes, expectations, whatever on Frank Ocean. Let him be the artist he’s going to be without saddling him with titles like “the savior of Rn B” or the face of black,male bisexuality in hip hop/RnB music. That’s driving me crazy! All it does is set people up for disappointment later on down the line if he doesn’t meet whatever expectations they set. Jermaine Dupri and everyone penning these open letters to Or about Frank are annoying me, seems as if Mr. Dupri is a newest member of a bandwagon that’s forming for an artist that’s been around for a little while already. Ugh these new ” fans “(that clearly knew about Mr. Ocean a while ago, yet now are hailing his music as the best new thing) are the most irritating part of this.
“I hate that people are projecting their OWN …”
But they do that when they bring up an artists past. Whatever their diappointments are projected on to the artists everyday in the media. Read any article. So and so did such and such and therefore their CD is BAD blah, blah. This happens all the time. They have done it to Brtiney Spears, Xtina, CB, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson etc.
Damn We still on miss.ocean?
JD is thirsty because his career is pretty much over.
Frank ocean is doing the same thing Gaga continues to do
exploit the gay community
Sorry not buying it. R&B isn’t dead if that was the point .
Why would billboard still have a chart for the genre?
Fads come and go. You hear the jazz and blues artist bitching?
Those genres were the original pop charts.
Just like hiphop is supposedly dead…yet There still is a chart for it.
As long as ppl make it(R&B) its not dead.
That being said,frank Is just an average run of the mill R&B singer
Who created buzz by stating he fell in love with a guy..
LTGB community I know you like ppl who stand up for your cause
Just be smart about.
amen!
Wside5678 Replied:
July 14th, 2012 at 1:12 pm
I’m sorry, but back in the 90s when Mary J. Blige, Jodeci, Dru Hill, 112, Ginuwine, Aaliyah, etc., etc. were all going multi-platinum…who do you think were the main buyers of these albums? White people? I don’t think so. Illegal downloading is a problem for all artists of every genre (and white people get their s*** for free too.)
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You have to look at where we were as a people along with the worth the mighty dollar held during that time. I remember those times as well when we legally supported those artist and R&B was jumping..WE supported US.. Wasn’t no Becky or billy buying or packing out concerts of those artist named above … But times have changed drastically specially with the advancement of technology. Ask yourself , who do you see on the corner of every hood selling bootlegs of such and such cd or movie. I’m not saying black people don’t purchase music period but the numbers are low.
And the hype machine is still going strong…
Anyway, he can’t save r ‘n’ b, because, in case you haven’t noticed, none of his songs got airplay. He got himself a temporary fanbase (good for him) that will probably get him decent sales in the coming months, but aside from them, casual listeners are not checking for him because radio programmers are not playlisting him. I know ass kissing is a well known policy in the industry (and Jermaine is no stranger to it), but let’s get real.
That said, Luke James, Frank Ocean and Miguel are 3 promising urban acts that rely on vocals rather than production and features, so I hope all 3 (regardless of hype or lack of thereof) do well enough.
Brandy IS R&B Period. Why u mad?
Jermaine did not lie. he didnt need 5 rappers on a track and didnt need to WATER DOWN his music. Ive been a fan of frank since christmas.
YES it was a publicity stunt. but oh well.
I do like Novacane, No Church In The Wild and I think Frank Ocean has a nice voice, but I did listen to the album and I only liked one song from it… 🙁
In my opinion, I don’t think the album is all that special like how everyone is making it seem.
Let’s be real here, Frank is only getting a lot of buzz because he came out. Now that he came out we are getting a lot of news articles about him then we were before. His album is only going to sale 100,000+ because he decided to come out 2 weeks in advance before his release date. Frank knew that if he didn’t make any headlines, a couple weeks before his album dropped, he knew he would’ve flopped. Since this is his first album and all, he wanted it to sale more, and I don’t blame him for doing what he did because I do think that more people to know who he is because he is not that relevent in the Music Industry.
I just need Frank to hold onto this publicity for as long as he can, because after a couple weeks go by, nobody will be talking about him again, and his album won’t be able to reach platinum. So I need Frank to do whatever he can to stay on top. He needs to have a good promo team. He needs to be on radio stations since people are jumping on the bandwagon now… I know a lot of interviewers are interested to interview Frank as we speak, so he definitely needs to take advantage of that and the hype in the media that is going on right now…
R&B has been dying since like 2006ish! It’s because of the r&b artist who put out lackluster music, and the music has become boring! There are some rNb/soul artist who can SANG; Monica is a true vocalist, but she doesn’t even showcase that on her records anymore! Usher can also, but he is too occupied with the pop world. I think rNb is dying because of the lackluster tracks the artist put out and expect the general public to buy! With better PROMO, better songs&production, and more PRODUCTIVITY rNb could make a comeback.
Im beyond over the Frank Ocean bandwagoning. His album was good but Jermaine is talking out of his ass. Frank isn’t going to save R&B. He’s hardly R&B anyways. If anyone could save R&B it would be Miguel. He has a better voice and better songs IMO and his music is more R&B. Plus he’s relevant with younger audiences. The media and others need to start giving him more attention.
I think to be honest that people need to leave frank ocean alone.if frank ocean gay so what that don’t have s*** to do those of you who dissing him.for Lil Wayne you can diss frank ocean but Wat bout you kissing Bird Men . Artists be forgetting the. S*** they went through after they stories came out .That okay cause I with frank Ocean when he say f*** all y’all judging ass lame rappers.Like ace hood say s*** done got real!!!!!!!!!! LOL