Tyler, the Creator on How He Knew Frank Ocean Was "Gay," and Why He Don't Care | Complex

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• FRANK OCEAN TALKS LIFE AS OUT GAY MANBY CHRIS SPARGOJULY 22, 2012/12:16 PMBY CHRIS SPARGOJULY 22, 2012 / 12:16 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"FRANK OCEAN TALKS LIFE AS OUT GAY MAN","DATEPUBLISHED":"2012-07-22T16:16:07.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2012-07-22T16:16:07.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"CHRIS SPARGO"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}[PTN ID="ATTACHMENT_59389" ALIGN="ALIGNCENTER" WIDTH="607" PTN="OCEAN OPENS UP."][/PTN]{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FRANK OCEAN IS AGA OPENG UP ABOUT HIS LIFE AND CISN TO RECENTLY GO PUBLIC WH HIS SEXUALY, REVEALG HIMSELF TO BE A GAY MAN. NOT THAT HE KNOWS WHAT TO MAKE OF ALL. "I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NOW, AND THAT'S ALRE [SIC]," THE SGER SAYS A RECENT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE 24-YEAR-OLD HAS GONE ALMOST OVERNIGHT OM A WELL-RPECTED SGER AND SONGWRER, HAVG PENNED SONGS FOR THE LIK OF BEYONCE AND JAY Z, TO A FIGUREHEAD AND ROLE MOL FOR THE HOMOSEXUAL MUNY. "IT'S NOT FORMULAIC," HE EXPLAS. "IT'S NOT ME NECSARILY TRYG TO PRERVE MYSTIQUE. IT'S WHO I AM. IT'S HOW I PREFER TO MOVE. I REALLY DON'T THK THAT EPLY ABOUT AT ALL, I SWEAR I DON'T. I'M JT EXISTG."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OCEAN'S ANKNS ASBOUT THE G OUT PROCS IS ALSO REHG, REVEALG THAT THE SGER WAS LS NCERNED WH HIS PUBLIC IMAGE THAN WH BEG TE TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"PEOPLE ARE JT AAID OF THGS TOO MUCH. AAID OF THGS THAT DON'T NECSARILY MER FEAR. ME PUTTG NOSTALGIA OUT … WHAT'S PHYSILLY GOG TO HAPPEN? ME SAYG WHAT I SAID ON MY TUMBLR LAST WEEK? SURE, EVIL EXISTS, EXTREMISM EXISTS. SOMEBODY ULD M A HATE CRIME AND HURT ME. BUT THEY ULD DO THE SAME JT BEE I'M BLACK. THEY ULD DO THE SAME JT BEE I'M AMERIN. DO YOU JT NOT GO OUTSI YOUR HOE? DO YOU NOT DRIVE YOUR R BEE OF THE STATISTICS? HOW ELSE ARE YOU LIMG YOUR LIFE FOR FEAR?"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AT THE END OF THE DAY, OCEAN SAYS; "I'M HAPPY WHEN I WAKE UP THE MORNG, AND NOT WH THIS EAK' BOULR ON MY CHT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FRANK OCEAN ATTACKED BY HOMOPHOB ON {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
• TYLER, THE CREATOR ON HOW HE KNEW FRANK OCEAN WAS "GAY," AND WHY HE DON'T CARE
• FUSE TV - TYLER, THE CREATOR KNEW FRANK OCEAN WAS GAY BEE OF HIS SNACK PREFERENC
• HIP-HOP WORLD GIV GAY SGER SUPPORT
• FRANK OCEAN GAY? RAPPER TALKS ABOUT MALE LOVER

FRANK OCEAN TALKS LIFE AS OUT GAY MANBY CHRIS SPARGOJULY 22, 2012/12:16 PMBY CHRIS SPARGOJULY 22, 2012 / 12:16 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"FRANK OCEAN TALKS LIFE AS OUT GAY MAN","DATEPUBLISHED":"2012-07-22T16:16:07.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2012-07-22T16:16:07.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"CHRIS SPARGO"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}[PTN ID="ATTACHMENT_59389" ALIGN="ALIGNCENTER" WIDTH="607" PTN="OCEAN OPENS UP."][/PTN]{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FRANK OCEAN IS AGA OPENG UP ABOUT HIS LIFE AND CISN TO RECENTLY GO PUBLIC WH HIS SEXUALY, REVEALG HIMSELF TO BE A GAY MAN. NOT THAT HE KNOWS WHAT TO MAKE OF ALL. "I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NOW, AND THAT'S ALRE [SIC]," THE SGER SAYS A RECENT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE 24-YEAR-OLD HAS GONE ALMOST OVERNIGHT OM A WELL-RPECTED SGER AND SONGWRER, HAVG PENNED SONGS FOR THE LIK OF BEYONCE AND JAY Z, TO A FIGUREHEAD AND ROLE MOL FOR THE HOMOSEXUAL MUNY. "IT'S NOT FORMULAIC," HE EXPLAS. "IT'S NOT ME NECSARILY TRYG TO PRERVE MYSTIQUE. IT'S WHO I AM. IT'S HOW I PREFER TO MOVE. I REALLY DON'T THK THAT EPLY ABOUT AT ALL, I SWEAR I DON'T. I'M JT EXISTG."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OCEAN'S ANKNS ASBOUT THE G OUT PROCS IS ALSO REHG, REVEALG THAT THE SGER WAS LS NCERNED WH HIS PUBLIC IMAGE THAN WH BEG TE TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"PEOPLE ARE JT AAID OF THGS TOO MUCH. AAID OF THGS THAT DON'T NECSARILY MER FEAR. ME PUTTG NOSTALGIA OUT … WHAT'S PHYSILLY GOG TO HAPPEN? ME SAYG WHAT I SAID ON MY TUMBLR LAST WEEK? SURE, EVIL EXISTS, EXTREMISM EXISTS. SOMEBODY ULD M A HATE CRIME AND HURT ME. BUT THEY ULD DO THE SAME JT BEE I'M BLACK. THEY ULD DO THE SAME JT BEE I'M AMERIN. DO YOU JT NOT GO OUTSI YOUR HOE? DO YOU NOT DRIVE YOUR R BEE OF THE STATISTICS? HOW ELSE ARE YOU LIMG YOUR LIFE FOR FEAR?"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AT THE END OF THE DAY, OCEAN SAYS; "I'M HAPPY WHEN I WAKE UP THE MORNG, AND NOT WH THIS EAK' BOULR ON MY CHT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FRANK OCEAN ATTACKED BY HOMOPHOB ON {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

On “We All Try, ” the third track om his 2011 but mixtape nostalgia, ULTRA, he voiced support for gay marriage four years before beme legal natnwi:. The night the album dropped, Frank appeared on Late Night Wh Jimmy Fallon to but the song “Bad Relign, ” which ntas the most overt discsn of a gay relatnship on the album. Frank ma a brief but important return June 21, 2016 after the Pulse Nightclub shootg Orlando, Fl., when he spoke out agast stutnal homophobia our society wh an emotnal Tumblr post, reflectg a siar msage to that of “Bad Relign.

On the song “Skyle To, ” Frank returns to the ia of relig nmnatn of homosexualy while sgg about a sexual experience wh another man:. Frank was raised the South, where sayg someone has “sugar their step” or “sugar their tank” is slang for llg them gay. Frank Ocean has said that he “cried like a fuckg baby” the night he me out as gay.

TYLER, THE CREATOR ON HOW HE KNEW FRANK OCEAN WAS "GAY," AND WHY HE DON'T CARE

The ‘Pyramids’ sger revealed that he was motivated to wre the post on Tumblr, which he said he was gay, after he Skyped to a Def Jam ‘Channel Orange’ listeng ssn and noticed one of the journalists was “very harmlsly” wrg a piece about how often he male pronouns songs.

The journalists who have been burned by broken promis and the fans who have eagerly awaed Ocean’s sophomore album have nmned the sger as outrageoly, unnecsarily evasive.

Ocean’s sexualy is, as he scrib , “dynamic”—a self-asssment that hasn’t stopped journalists om pigeonholg him as bisexual or gay. ” By refg to claim an inty, he rerv the right to nstantly is not to say that Blon fully evas the qutn of homosexualy. In “Good Guy, ” Ocean croons about beg taken on a date to a “gay bar.

FUSE TV - TYLER, THE CREATOR KNEW FRANK OCEAN WAS GAY BEE OF HIS SNACK PREFERENC

It’s the kd of irreverence and mutabily that mak Ocean such a difficult gay in, and such an trigug queer one.

Frank do not seem cled to take on any rponsibili as the hip-hop world’s pre-ement gay artist—a label he’s never claimed and do not seem likely to.

HIP-HOP WORLD GIV GAY SGER SUPPORT

While he wrote eloquently and openly on the Orlando Pulse shootg, Blon don’t nta any siarly polil gay statements or logi.

To fe onelf leads to prsur and rponsibili—to produce another Channel Orange, or to pen the next gay anthem.

Hip-hop has never had a gay superstar. As a muny, the hip-hop world is still plagued by homophobia, and prohibive molds of masculy.

FRANK OCEAN GAY? RAPPER TALKS ABOUT MALE LOVER

” While Young Thug’s remarks triggered a b of a backlash, wh hip-hop fans and media outlets mg on his sexualy, there also seemed to be an creasg unrstandg that queerns isn’t synonymo wh homosexualy.

By makg stairs, shootg film, and producg magaz, Ocean fi the rapper label jt as he shirks a gay or bisexual intifitn. By liberately refg to be known as a gay rapper or a bisexual man hip-hop, Ocean n partially skirt the homophobic bias that the hip-hop muny n’t seem to shake. Ocean’s unique mentary, and the alienatn that rms , is a quiet, powerful the wake of rights-based victori like gay marriage, some queer activists have qutned a movement that prriz the chance to be the same over the eedom to be different.

” It’s as if Frank is liberately playg wh expectatns or hop for his gay polics by claimg apolicism.