Some would
consider Frank Ocean’s debut album “Channel Orange” a masterpiece, while others
would deem it his coming out soundtrack – regardless the artist and album have
been causing a large commotion in the media once again and not for the 6 Grammy
Nominations. Recent interview with “The Guardian” a UK publication foreshadowed
that Channel Orange will be Frank’s first and final album. Now of course in
normal Frank fashion, his sentences are cleverly cryptic which allows your
imagination to run wild at what the artist is truly insinuating. In today’s
brainwashed society, artist must constantly let loose large quantities of music
because that’s what the consumer has grown accustomed too. The next iPod
probably won’t have a rewind button; it’s all about moving forward and staying
in the never ending “now”. Your new single is yesterday news at the stroke of
midnight, without a big name remix or a high budget video on an exotic beach casting
women equipped with full moon butts you’ll be placed in a box with Andy’s old
toys. Yet, here we have an artist that would be my personal pick to take over
the R&B throne for the new generation (a throne stained by R.Kelly’s piss
and left over Trey Songz braids) who isn’t going to play by the unwritten rules
of industry standard. Honestly, I couldn’t be happier. I much rather my
favorite artist put out 1 Channel Orange than 3 God Forgives, I Don't.
Please don’t
crucify me because I put Frank Ocean and Rick Ross in the same sentence. Hear me
out, Frank Ocean put out 1 project this
year and a handful of excellent features; compared to Rick Ross who’s released
an album, two mixapes, 1 compilation tape, and uncountable amount of features.
Despite his high echelon grunting, Ricky Rozay didn’t put quality over quantity
– he prides himself on feeding the streets but I rather have one great meal
than the same appetizers with the promise of grand buffet. There’s this
misconception that it’s an oversaturation because it’s too many artist but in
reality it’s just too much MUSIC. It’s like living during the gold rush but
instead of searching for gold, we are downloading an obscene amount of music
looking for something amazing. We want whatever will give us a euphoric feeling
of awesomeness, something that’s going to spark a fire in us, or at least leave
a lasting impression. Consumers desire only your best effort rather it takes
you 6 weeks or 6 months – you can keep the crap for the unisex restrooms.
Create greatness or nothing at ALL.
Treat music
like child birth. I don’t mean get drunk, and raw dog the first microphone you
see. Fall in love with an idea and explore the dalliance of it before attempting
to plant your seed. Allow yourself time to find inspiration-get off the
internet and live a little. Experience will always be the greatest inspiration.
Then you begin molding the idea with sound, search for producers that can
create what you visualize. This is where imagination is the weapon that should
be the sharpest, and this is what can be considered the first trimester.
Without direction of the sound you’re bound to have a miscarriage, this is also
where you should consider aborting the idea. You aren’t in too deep, you’re
able to reboot and find a new lover. Now as you begin the development stage of
the second trimester, you’re starting to decide what you want to say. What
message are you trying to convey. At this point in our lives it’s almost safe
to assume everything great has already been written, the best punchlines have
been thrown, the cleverest metaphors have been quoted. This shouldn’t
discourage you, this is where you’re creativity and personality is your
greatest assets. They belong to you alone and can’t be replicated so use them
to entertain and teach. Third trimester is where you allow yourself to record.
Each song should be recorded as If it’s your last. Cater to them and they will
be received by your audience as if you recorded on December 20th.
Begin picking a single, plot marketing strategies and visual adaptations. By
the time the recording process is done and the mixing has begun you should
start to pick the date of birth for the project, cleverly think of ways to
spread the word and even throw a baby shower(listening session) for fans of
previous work. Then once you’ve done all you could to prepare the coming of
your latest musical offspring you give him to the world and hope they love it
just as much as you do. Then you wait 2 months before
having sex again.
New artist,
upcoming artist, mainstream artist, you are asked nothing but to create the
most immaculate body of work that’s humanly possible. Music might not be the
most profitable industry, but it’s still one of the rawest art forms that
impact lives. Frank Ocean can walk away from music knowing he gave the world
something that wasn’t short of his best. He’ll be sought after for his talents,
not the controversy that haunts him. Let’s get out of the studios and embrace
life for a bit. This endless flux of putting out music and putting out more
music has to STOP. The blogs are cluttered, iPods are full, and I’m for one am
annoyed. Take that passion to overcome the naysayers , use that hunger for
greatness, take your tragedies, your victories, and whatever else that’s been
fueling the fire to break the fourth dimension to create one priceless compact
disc. It’s your baby by Immaculate Conception and regardless if it’s met by
praised or disgust you’ve created a piece of you for the world to hear. Give me
something I’ll never forget, and when it’s time for you to fade to black you’ll
leave knowing that at least you gave the world something worthy of the word “art”
