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class="BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd BaseText-ewhhUZ AlertMsage-jgAjgo bVCFRm jEGgOR bmhHIl alert-msage"><p>To revis this article, vis My Profile, then<!-- --> <a href="/acunt/saved">View saved stori</a></p></div><button class="BaseButton-bLlsy ButtonWrapper-xCepQ gJNxgH bSqbcl button button--utily close-alert-button" data-event-click="{"element":"Button"}" data-ttid="Button" role="button" type="button"><span class="ButtonLabel-cjAuJN bBWXSg button__label">Close Alert</span><div class="ButtonInWrapper-gFdzAL bPDyTT button__in-ntaer"><svg class="ButtonIn-YqaGo iwlhuX button-in in in-close" focable="false" viewBox="0 0 32 32" width="32" height="32" xmlns="><path d="M16 14.586l6.364-6.364 1.414 1.414L17.414 16l6.364 6.364-1.414 1.414L16 17.414l-6.364 6.364-1.414-1.414L14.586 16 8.222 9.636l1.414-1.414z" fill-le="nonzero"></path></svg></div></button></div></div><div class="StackedNavigatnSectnLogo-gMsxSu dwOfTV"><a href="/" class="StackedNavigatnLogoLk-byNqXP dmvHfj"><picture 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data-ttid="ContentHearContaer" class="ContentHearContaer-cGKRbE knDxNq"><div class="ContentHearHedAccredatnWrapper-GFiQf cDNVlV"><div data-ttid="ContentHearTleBlockWrapper" class="ContentHearTleBlockWrapper-cjmSKp eiGjZk"><div data-ttid="ContentHearRubric" class="ContentHearRubricBlock-LmpbT tPofh"><div data-ttid="ContentHearRubricDateBlock" class="ContentHearRubricDateBlock-kAQcZP fTFWxD"><div class="RubricWrapper-dKmCNX gPBNpL bric ContentHearRubricContaer-eTudtt iRsSlw"><a class="RubricLk-gRWSOU cwyjHY bric__lk" href="/entertament/mic"><span class="RubricName-fVtemz cLxcNi">Mic</span></a></div></div></div><h1 data-ttid="ContentHearHed" class="BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd BaseText-ewhhUZ ContentHearHed-NCyCC iUEiRd jdcWfa isouMH">Lil Nas X Praised Frank Ocean and Tyler, The Creator For Makg It Easier For Queer Artists</h1></div><div class="ContentHearAccredatn-lfctVB etVsnJ ntent-hear__accredatn" data-ttid="ContentHearAccredatn"><div class="ContentHearDek-bIqFFZ eijTxK">In a recent Apple Mic terview, the multi-Grammy Award wner also opened up about datg, g out, and his upg album.</div><div class="ContentHearByle-kmPyCa emiglw"><span class="SpanWrapper-umhxW jvZaPI rponsive-asset ContentHearContributorImage-cvjZXn epCAJC"><picture class="RponsiveImagePicture-cWuUZO dUOtEa ContentHearContributorImage-cvjZXn epCAJC rponsive-image"><source media="(max-width: 767px)" srcSet=" 80w" siz="66px"/><source media="(m-width: 768px)" srcSet=" 90w" siz="66px"/><img alt="" class="RponsiveImageContaer-eybHBd fptoWY rponsive-image__image" src="></picture></span><div class="ContentHearByleContent-dpPmNn DRFq"><div data-ttid="BylWrapper" class="BylWrapper-KIudk irTIfE byl ContentHearByl-cZqgyJ bHLeKI"><p class="ByleWrapper-jWHrLH hdWCIC byle byl__byle" data-ttid="ByleWrapper" emProp="thor" emType="><span emProp="name" class="ByleNamWrapper-jbHncj fuDQVo"><span data-ttid="ByleName" class="ByleName-kwmrLn cYaBaU byle__name"><span class="BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd BaseText-ewhhUZ BylePreamble-iJolpQ iUEiRd bCbgyH gnILss byle__preamble">By </span><a class="BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd BaseText-ewhhUZ BaseLk-eNWuiM ByleLk-gEnFiw iUEiRd hSmufO skIR eErqIx byle__name-lk button" href="/ntributor/michael-cuby">Michael Cuby</a></span></span></p></div><time data-ttid="ContentHearPublishDate" dateTime="2020-12-03T13:44:17-05:00" class="BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd BaseText-ewhhUZ ContentHearPublishDate-eIBicG iUEiRd dCoEhu bDGyxQ">December 3, 2020</time></div></div><div class="SocialInsWrapper-hKMEXV ffgPVr social-ins social-ins--standard ContentHearAccredatnSocialIns-jorO fPzfaa ntent-hear__social-share"><ul data-ttid="socialInslist" class="SocialInsList-cHVTIA ivmblD social-ins__list"><li class="SocialInsListItem-mbhR fxaFQj social-ins__list-em social-ins__list-em--twter social-ins__list-em--standard"><a aria-label="Share on Twter" class="external-lk SocialInExternalLk-huuzOU blkfJb social-ins__lk social-ins__lk--twter" data-event-click="{"element":"ExternalLk","outgogURL":"" href=" rel="nofollow noopener" 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social-ins__lk social-ins__lk--email" data-event-click="{"element":"ExternalLk","outgogURL":"mailto:?subject=Lil%20Nas%20X%20Praised%20Frank%20Ocean%20and%20Tyler%2C%20The%20Creator%20For%20Makg%20It%20Easier%20For%20Queer%20Artists&" href="mailto:?subject=Lil%20Nas%20X%20Praised%20Frank%20Ocean%20and%20Tyler%2C%20The%20Creator%20For%20Makg%20It%20Easier%20For%20Queer%20Artists& rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><div class="SocialInContaer-huXzUC pMzVC social-ins__in-ntaer"><svg class="SocialInNetworkInComponent-cZaKGz dlOAhZ in in-email" focable="false" viewBox="0 0 32 32" width="32" height="32" xmlns="><tle>Email</tle><path d="M6 23h20V9H6v14zm3.631-12H22.37l-6.368 5.661L9.631 11zM24 12.227V21H8v-8.773l8.002 7.109L24 12.227z" fill-le="evenodd"></path></svg></div></a></li></ul></div></div><div class="StickyBoxPlaceholr-grPmrg dxAvXx"></div></div></asi></hear></div><div data-attribute-verso-pattern="article-body" class="ArticlePageContentBackGround-cNiFNN kJkLmH article-body__ntent"><div class="ArticlePageChunksContent-etcMtP bwyLBj"><div data-ttid="ArticlePageChunks" class="ArticlePageChunks-fLyCVG eOdfIs"><div class="GridWrapper-cAzTTK kHBDeH grid grid-margs grid-ems-2 ArticlePageChunksGrid-hfxa bjczjj grid-layout--adrail narrow wi-adrail"><div class="GridItem-buujkM stRKV grid--em grid-layout__ntent"><div class="BodyWrapper-kufPGa bectqB body body__ntaer article__body" data-journey-hook="client-ntent" data-ttid="BodyWrapper"><div class="body__ner-ntaer"><p> </p><p>When <a href=">Frank Ocean</a> me out as bisexual a betiful, raw Tumblr note 2012, right before the release of his soon-to-be crilly acclaimed but album <em>Channel Orange</em>, felt like everythg had changed. While hip-hop and R&B, had been monly wrten off as herently homophobic, the rponse to Ocean’s emotnal letter was mostly posive, wh many praisg the one-of-a-kd talent for his bravens and honty. As a young gay Black boy who grew up stgglg to reckon my love for hip-hop, rap, and R&B wh the homophobic sentiments often rattled off, Frank’s g out was a pivotal moment — one that let me know I wasn’t alone and that society uld be ready to accept others like me, too.</p><div><div class="ConsumerMarketgUnThemedWrapper-iUTMTf jssHut nsumer-marketg-un nsumer-marketg-un--article-mid-ntent" role="prentatn" aria-hidn="te"><div class="nsumer-marketg-un__slot nsumer-marketg-un__slot--article-mid-ntent nsumer-marketg-un__slot---ntent"></div><div class="journey-un"></div></div></div><p>Apparently, I wasn’t the only young gay Black boy who felt that sense of lmg support followg Ocean’s g out. Durg a <a href=">recent holiday episo</a> of Zane Lowe’s #AtHomeWhAppleMic show, Lil Nas X, an openly gay rapper himself, revealed how much Frank Ocean — and his close llaborator Tyler, The Creator, who is also openly queer — has meant for his reer. Drsed a full Old Santa stume, plete wh silver gray beard and matchg unly mane (a look he playfully jok is his attempt at beg “lowkey”), <a href=">the multi-Grammy Award wner</a> spoke ndidly about the lastg impact the artists had on him.</p><div class="GenericCalloutWrapper-tojWn iezhXq llout--has-top-borr" data-ttid="GenericCallout"><div class="ContentCardEmbedWrapper-kULtsE iGAJsG ntent-rd-embed ntent-rd-embed--stacked" data-ttid="ContentCardEmbedWrapper"><div class="ContentCardEmbedImage-iwqgVw jlIubp ntent-rd-embed__image" data-ttid="ContentCardEmbedImage"><span class="SpanWrapper-umhxW jvZaPI rponsive-asset"><picture class="RponsiveImagePicture-cWuUZO dUOtEa rponsive-image"><img alt="Lil Nas X" class="RponsiveImageContaer-eybHBd fptoWY rponsive-image__image" src=" srcSet=" 120w, 240w, 320w, 640w" siz="100vw"/></picture></span></div><div class="ContentCardEmbedInfo-bDftKl bGnSrq"><div class="BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd BaseText-ewhhUZ ContentCardEmbedHed-kJVPGC iUEiRd gFmvMS cewqFA ntent-rd-embed__hed" data-ttid="ContentCardEmbedHed"><a class="BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd BaseText-ewhhUZ BaseLk-eNWuiM ContentCardEmbedHedLk-eXLwe iUEiRd gFmvMS hRaEiJ eFUKSb ntent-rd-embed__hed-lk" href="/story/lil-nas-x-g-out" data-ttid="ContentCardEmbedHedLk">Lil Nas X Jt Came Out, and Mastream Hip-Hop Is About to Change Forever</a></div><div data-ttid="ContentCardEmbedDek" class="ContentCardEmbedDek-bA-DKch hXdQfY">The genre-fyg rapper is the latt Black man to brg queerns to hip-hop.</div></div></div></div><p>After exprsg his approval of Lil Nas X’s cisn to place risg R&B sger Kaash Paige si-by-si wh Frank Ocean <a data-offer-url=" class="external-lk" data-event-click="{"element":"ExternalLk","outgogURL":"" href=" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"> a playlist</a> the rapper curated for Apple Mic listeners, Zane Lowe asked the young sger how Frank Ocean factored to his life, as both a fan and an artist. “I thk artists like Frank, general, and like Tyler [the Creator] and whatever, they ma easier for me to be where I am, fortably,” he rpond. “Also, ‘<a href=">Provir</a>’ was like a very special song to me durg this relatnship that I was . So yeah, go, Frank! He’s amazg.”</p><div class="Contaer-bkChBi byNLHx"></div><p>At the mentn of “relatnship,” Lowe asked Lil Nas whether or not the forced stagnancy of the COVID-19 panmic has allowed him to explore personal relatnships a way he might not have been able to if he were workg durg a normal year full of prs, performanc, and tourg. “I’m such a loner of a person. Like, I hontly like beg alone,” Nas admted turn. “Sometim I’ll nvce myself, like, <em>no, I need more people!</em> But then I’m like, <em>ugh, I wanna be alone aga</em>. So relatnships, for me, have been like…,” he trails off before snappg his fgers quick succsn to dite how temporary the majory of his personal nnectns have been. “I gus ’s mostly bee I still don’t know what I want a relatnship or what not, bee, you know, I didn’t get to date when I was younger. So ’s fely tertg.”</p><div class="GenericCalloutWrapper-tojWn iezhXq llout--has-top-borr" data-ttid="GenericCallout"><div class="ContentCardEmbedWrapper-kULtsE iGAJsG ntent-rd-embed ntent-rd-embed--stacked" data-ttid="ContentCardEmbedWrapper"><div class="ContentCardEmbedImage-iwqgVw jlIubp ntent-rd-embed__image" data-ttid="ContentCardEmbedImage"><span class="SpanWrapper-umhxW jvZaPI rponsive-asset"><picture class="RponsiveImagePicture-cWuUZO dUOtEa rponsive-image"><img alt="Lil Nas X" class="RponsiveImageContaer-eybHBd fptoWY rponsive-image__image" src=" srcSet=" 120w, 240w, 320w, 640w" siz="100vw"/></picture></span></div><div class="ContentCardEmbedInfo-bDftKl bGnSrq"><div class="BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd BaseText-ewhhUZ ContentCardEmbedHed-kJVPGC iUEiRd gFmvMS cewqFA ntent-rd-embed__hed" data-ttid="ContentCardEmbedHed"><a class="BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd BaseText-ewhhUZ BaseLk-eNWuiM ContentCardEmbedHedLk-eXLwe iUEiRd gFmvMS hRaEiJ eFUKSb ntent-rd-embed__hed-lk" href="/story/lil-nas-x-g-out-guardian-terview" data-ttid="ContentCardEmbedHedLk">“I Planned to Die Wh the Secret”: Lil Nas X Opens Up About Comg Out</a></div><div data-ttid="ContentCardEmbedDek" class="ContentCardEmbedDek-bA-DKch hXdQfY">The “Old Town Road” mician also plans to “explore” his queer inty his but album.</div></div></div></div><p>Robbed childhoods me up aga as the rapper talked about g quarante to “strengthen my relatnship wh myself.” Nas nfs that he had a history wh self-hatred his youth, somethg many queer kids n relate to. “I grew up a lot havg this hidn self-hatred for myself and not even realizg that was there,” he begs. “And I gus havg somethg where I n be super creative and exprs myself has fely brought forward how much, no matter what happens, I’m always gog to be there for myself.” As such, the rapper is proud that he’s been able to ternalize this self-sufficient realy, spendg the past few months of the panmic “learng to love myself more and realizg that sometim I wasn’t dog that, jt beg more nfint what I’m dog and blockg out anybody’s negativy.” As he lets off, “If ’s not good crique, then ’s not for me.”</p></div></div></div><div class="GridItem-buujkM fVLMby grid--em grid-layout__asi"><div class="StickyBoxWrapper-jfYB kNleGZ sticky-box"><div class="StickyBoxPrimary-dzWDWL cdhYoN sticky-box__primary"><div class="Contaer-bkChBi byNLHx"></div><div class="AdWrapper-dQtivb fZrssQ ad ad--rail"><div class="ad__slot ad__slot--rail" data-no-id="67al"></div></div><div class="ConsumerMarketgUnThemedWrapper-iUTMTf jssHut nsumer-marketg-un nsumer-marketg-un--display-rail" role="prentatn" aria-hidn="te"><div class="nsumer-marketg-un__slot nsumer-marketg-un__slot--display-rail"></div><div class="journey-un"></div></div></div><div class="StickyBoxPlaceholr-grPmrg dxAvXx"></div></div></div></div><div class="RowWrapper-UmqTg HEhan full-bleed-ad row-mid-ntent-ad"><div class="StickyMidContentAdWrapper-fSBzwl drzyIa ad-stickymidntent"><div class="AdWrapper-dQtivb fZrssQ ad ad--mid-ntent should-hold-space"><div class="ad__slot ad__slot--mid-ntent" data-no-id="hkul3r"></div></div></div></div><div class="GridWrapper-cAzTTK kHBDeH grid grid-margs grid-ems-2 ArticlePageChunksGrid-hfxa bjczjj grid-layout--adrail narrow wi-adrail"><div class="GridItem-buujkM stRKV grid--em grid-layout__ntent"><div class="BodyWrapper-kufPGa bectqB body body__ntaer article__body" data-journey-hook="client-ntent" data-ttid="BodyWrapper"><div class="body__ner-ntaer"><p>Of urse, Lil Nas X has been on a journey of self-disvery ever sce <a href=">he me out</a> at the peak of his populary followg the succs of “Old Town Road” 2019. “I hontly feel like I have my angels wh me at all tim. I jt felt like, <em>okay, ’s time to do this thg</em>. Bee ’s like, I’m already movg forward and I’m beg more ee wh everythg I do, so let’s take this to the next level and do this,” he told Lowe. “It was eher gog to be that or what? Pretend this for the rt of my entire life and also not be able to exprs that what I do, my mic?”</p><div class="AdWrapper-dQtivb fZrssQ ad ad---ntent"><div class="ad__slot ad__slot---ntent" data-no-id="km2l8m"></div></div><p>Perhaps the most excg reveal of Lil Nas X’s chat wh Lowe had to do wh his hotly anticipated, currently untled but album. “This album exuberat nfince, creativy, jt me pletely steppg out of my fort zone, sayg whatever I want, and givg my actual stori, givg my fans somethg to take om me,” he said. That n already be felt the album’s first sgle, “<a href=">Holiday</a>,” where the rapper is unaaid to heavily reference his now-public sexual orientatn, whether he’s jokg about bottomg “<a href=">on the low</a>” or talkg about <a href=">the doors he had to knock down</a> to achieve succs. Lil Nas X teas that this album will mark a huge pivot towards the personal parison to his chart-toppg <em>7 EP</em> om last year. “<em>7</em> was ol. I love <em>7</em>. It’s great,” he says. “But wasn’t personal enough and I feel like that’s exactly what this album is gonna brg.”</p><p>Check out Zane Lowe’s full nversatn wh Lil Nas X below.</p><figure data-ttid="IameEmbed" class="IameEmbedWrapper-sc-dRedg hZiq iame-embed"><div data-ttid="IameEmbedContaer" class="IameEmbedContaer-hptgUZ gwYBCr"><div class="IameEmbedAspectRatWrapper-hFVJps kaOLzO"><iame class="IameEmbedContent-cMdiev csnuAY IameEmbedContent lazyload" height="270" width="480" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-popups allow-same-orig" tle="Embedd Frame" data-src=" allow="toplay *; encrypted-media *; clipboard-wre; toplay; fullscreen; picture--picture"></iame></div></div></figure><p><em><strong>Get the bt of what’s queer.</strong></em> <a href=">Sign up for <em>them</em>.'s weekly newsletter here.</a></p></div></div></div><div class="GridItem-buujkM fVLMby grid--em grid-layout__asi"><div class="StickyBoxWrapper-jfYB jxBcTH sticky-box"><div class="StickyBoxPrimary-dzWDWL cdhYoN sticky-box__primary"><div class="AdWrapper-dQtivb fZrssQ ad ad--rail"><div class="ad__slot ad__slot--rail" data-no-id="57sq6i"></div></div><div class="ConsumerMarketgUnThemedWrapper-iUTMTf jssHut nsumer-marketg-un nsumer-marketg-un--display-rail" role="prentatn" aria-hidn="te"><div class="nsumer-marketg-un__slot nsumer-marketg-un__slot--display-rail"></div><div class="journey-un"></div></div></div><div class="StickyBoxPlaceholr-grPmrg dxAvXx"></div></div></div></div></div><div class="GridWrapper-cAzTTK kHBDeH grid grid-margs grid-ems-2 PaywallInleBarrierWhWrapperGrid-fyrGfS kLQIUk grid-layout--adrail narrow wi-adrail"><div class="GridItem-buujkM stRKV grid--em grid-layout__ntent"><div class="body body__le-barrier article__body"><div class="ntaer ntaer--body"><div class="ntaer--body-ner"><asi class="PaywallInleBarrierWrapper-iBnuqk lfXXa-D" data-ttid="PaywallInleBarrierWrapper"><div class="ConsumerMarketgUnThemedWrapper-iUTMTf jssHut nsumer-marketg-un nsumer-marketg-un--paywall-le-barrier" role="prentatn" aria-live="pole" aria-hidn="te"><div class="nsumer-marketg-un__slot nsumer-marketg-un__slot--paywall-le-barrier"></div><div class="journey-un"></div></div></asi></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="GridWrapper-cAzTTK kHBDeH grid grid-margs grid-ems-2 ContentWrapperGrid-fvkmBv brYtrA grid-layout--adrail narrow wi-adrail"><div class="GridItem-buujkM stRKV grid--em grid-layout__ntent"><div class="body body__ntaer"><div class="ntaer ntaer--body"><div class="ntaer--body-ner"></div></div></div></div></div></div></article><div class="ContentFooterWrapper-jVNdRG dTJkpP ArticlePageContentFooterGrid-ccsXYy eMZRHU article-body__footer"><div class="RowWrapper-UmqTg HEhan"><div class="GridWrapper-cAzTTK kHBDeH grid grid-margs grid-ems-2 grid-layout--adrail narrow wi-adrail"><div class="GridItem-buujkM stRKV grid--em grid-layout__ntent"></div></div></div><div class="RowWrapper-UmqTg HEhan"><div class="GridWrapper-cAzTTK kHBDeH grid grid-margs grid-ems-2 grid-layout--adrail narrow wi-adrail"><div class="GridItem-buujkM stRKV grid--em grid-layout__ntent"><div data-ttid="TagCloudWrapper" class="TagCloudWrapper-gGgndx jkqdij ContentFooterTagCloud-krQmRG ZLGh"><span class="BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd BaseText-ewhhUZ TagCloudSectnHear-cOforY iUEiRd chxZaG kQQRmu">Tags</span><a href="/tags/lil-nas-x" class="BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd BaseText-ewhhUZ BaseLk-eNWuiM TagCloudLk-kvjZFu iUEiRd hSmufO fWJQiy hIhJOI"><span class="BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd BaseText-ewhhUZ TagCloudName-eAUnLd iUEiRd gSGCJB bUkXwu">Lil Nas X</span></a><a href="/tags/ank-ocean" class="BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd BaseText-ewhhUZ BaseLk-eNWuiM TagCloudLk-kvjZFu iUEiRd hSmufO fWJQiy hIhJOI"><span class="BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd BaseText-ewhhUZ TagCloudName-eAUnLd iUEiRd gSGCJB bUkXwu">Frank Ocean</span></a><a href="/tags/g-out" class="BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd BaseText-ewhhUZ BaseLk-eNWuiM TagCloudLk-kvjZFu iUEiRd hSmufO fWJQiy hIhJOI"><span class="BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd BaseText-ewhhUZ TagCloudName-eAUnLd iUEiRd gSGCJB bUkXwu">g out</span></a><a href="/tags/rap" class="BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd BaseText-ewhhUZ BaseLk-eNWuiM TagCloudLk-kvjZFu iUEiRd hSmufO fWJQiy hIhJOI"><span class="BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd BaseText-ewhhUZ TagCloudName-eAUnLd iUEiRd gSGCJB bUkXwu">rap</span></a><a href="/tags/hip-hop" class="BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd BaseText-ewhhUZ BaseLk-eNWuiM TagCloudLk-kvjZFu iUEiRd hSmufO fWJQiy hIhJOI"><span class="BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd BaseText-ewhhUZ TagCloudName-eAUnLd iUEiRd gSGCJB bUkXwu">hip hop</span></a></div></div></div></div><div data-ttid="ContentFooterBottom" class="ContentFooterBottom-jwWZfC kcbyiW"><div class="ntent-bottom-anchor"></div><div class="ConsumerMarketgUnThemedWrapper-iUTMTf jssHut nsumer-marketg-un nsumer-marketg-un--article-footer" role="prentatn" aria-hidn="te"><div class="nsumer-marketg-un__slot nsumer-marketg-un__slot--article-footer"></div><div class="journey-un"></div></div><div data-attr-viewport-monor="" class="recirc-list-wrapper viewport-monor-anchor"><div class="RowWrapper-UmqTg HEhan ContentFooterRelated-kEBiFe kVUuwq"><div class="GridWrapper-cAzTTK eRggVV grid grid-margs grid-ems-0 SummaryCollectnGridComponent-ktyEog bdTTVU summary-llectn-grid RecircListDefltOverlaySummaryCollectnGrid-AHJhY bEaXiL recirc-list__ems summary-llectn-grid--four-lumns summary-llectn-grid--TextBelowLeft"><div class="GridItem-buujkM kHPPIF grid--em"><div class="SummaryCollectnGridContent-eVUpRm gOErDJ"><div class="SectnTleRoot-dBGvdq iEHvtl SummaryCollectnGridSectnTle-fCmYwG izjbVn" data-ttid="SectnTle"><hear class="BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd BaseText-ewhhUZ SectnTleHed-dKqZet dxqEAa dvxNrX jttyjJ">Read More</hear></div><div class="SummaryCollectnGridItems-DZShR jbbmwr hi-read-more-ad" data-ttid="SummaryCollectnGridItems"><div class="SummaryItemWrapper-iwvBff gjCHLu summary-em summary-em--has-le summary-em--article summary-em--no-in summary-em--text-align-left summary-em--layout-placement-text-below summary-em--layout-posn-image-left summary-em--layout-proportns-50-50 summary-em--si-by-si-align-center summary-em--si-by-si-image-right-mobile-false summary-em--standard SummaryCollectnGridSummaryItem-WColm hCwuiO" role="button" tabx="0"><div class="SummaryItemAssetContaer-gwhFFH VOyg summary-em__asset-ntaer"><a class="SummaryItemImageLk-dshqxb cPpCwE summary-em__image-lk summary-em-trackg__image-lk" href="/story/lil-nas-x-new-mic-vio-holiday-michael-j-fox" aria-hidn="te" tabx="-1" data-ponent-type="recirc-river" data-recirc-id="em-image-1" data-recirc-pattern="summary-em" target="_self"><span class="SpanWrapper-umhxW kGxnNB rponsive-asset SummaryItemRponsiveAsset-hjGIGg bDvSkO summary-em__image"><div data-tt="aspect-rat-ntaer" class="AspectRatContaer-bJHpJz cCcPgL"><div class="aspect-rat--overlay-ntaer"><picture class="RponsiveImagePicture-cWuUZO dUOtEa SummaryItemRponsiveAsset-hjGIGg bDvSkO summary-em__image rponsive-image"><noscript><source media="(max-width: 767px)" srcSet=" 120w, 240w, 320w, 640w" siz="100vw"/><source media="(m-width: 768px)" srcSet=" 120w, 240w, 320w, 640w" siz="100vw"/><img alt="Lil Nas X Teas New Song “Holiday” Wh a Wild Vio Starrg Michael J. Fox" class="RponsiveImageContaer-eybHBd fptoWY rponsive-image__image" src="></noscript></picture></div></div></span></a></div><div class="SummaryItemContent-eiDYMl XMZX summary-em__ntent"><div class="RubricWrapper-dKmCNX gPBNpL bric SummaryItemRubric-dguGKN lapGFj summary-em__bric"><span class="RubricName-fVtemz cLxcNi">Mic</span></div><a class="SummaryItemHedLk-civM dVrbhU summary-em-trackg__hed-lk summary-em__hed-lk summary-em__hed-lk--unrle-disable" data-ponent-type="recirc-river" data-recirc-id="em-hed-1" data-recirc-pattern="summary-em" href="/story/lil-nas-x-new-mic-vio-holiday-michael-j-fox" target="_self"><div data-ttid="ClampWrapper" class="ClampWrapper-kZxfkB hTTNGO clamp SummaryItemHedBase-hiFYpQ kBFaWv summary-em__hed"><div class="ClampContent-hilPkr jVhSBH"><div class="SummaryItemHedTag-TWblf gxaOcP" data-ttid="SummaryItemHed">Lil Nas X Teas New Song “Holiday” Wh a Wild Vio Starrg Michael J. Fox</div></div></div></a><div class="SummaryItemByleWrapper-boCfbi cuRXdL summary-em__byle-date-in"><div class="SummaryItemBaseByle-fFbXkY dHMSJg summary-em__byle"><div class="summary-em__byle__ntent"><div data-ttid="BylWrapper" class="BylWrapper-KIudk irTIfE byl"><p class="ByleWrapper-jWHrLH ecFEgL byle byl__byle" data-ttid="ByleWrapper" emProp="thor" emType="><span emProp="name" class="ByleNamWrapper-jbHncj fuDQVo"><span data-ttid="ByleName" class="ByleName-kwmrLn cYaBaU byle__name"><span class="BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd BaseText-ewhhUZ BylePreamble-iJolpQ iUEiRd bCbgyH gnILss byle__preamble">By </span>Michelle Hyun Kim</span></span></p></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="SummaryItemWrapper-iwvBff gjCHLu summary-em summary-em--has-le summary-em--article summary-em--no-in summary-em--text-align-left summary-em--layout-placement-text-below summary-em--layout-posn-image-left summary-em--layout-proportns-50-50 summary-em--si-by-si-align-center summary-em--si-by-si-image-right-mobile-false summary-em--standard SummaryCollectnGridSummaryItem-WColm hCwuiO" role="button" tabx="0"><div class="SummaryItemAssetContaer-gwhFFH VOyg summary-em__asset-ntaer"><a class="SummaryItemImageLk-dshqxb cPpCwE summary-em__image-lk summary-em-trackg__image-lk" href="/story/ank-ocean-lu-guadagno-llaboratn" aria-hidn="te" tabx="-1" data-ponent-type="recirc-river" data-recirc-id="em-image-2" data-recirc-pattern="summary-em" target="_self"><span class="SpanWrapper-umhxW kGxnNB rponsive-asset SummaryItemRponsiveAsset-hjGIGg bDvSkO summary-em__image"><div data-tt="aspect-rat-ntaer" class="AspectRatContaer-bJHpJz cCcPgL"><div class="aspect-rat--overlay-ntaer"><picture class="RponsiveImagePicture-cWuUZO dUOtEa SummaryItemRponsiveAsset-hjGIGg bDvSkO summary-em__image rponsive-image"><noscript><source media="(max-width: 767px)" srcSet=" 120w, 240w, 320w, 640w" siz="100vw"/><source media="(m-width: 768px)" srcSet=" 120w, 240w, 320w, 640w" siz="100vw"/><img alt="Frank Ocean and Lu Guadagno Worked on Mic Vio Together, Director Says" class="RponsiveImageContaer-eybHBd fptoWY rponsive-image__image" src="></noscript></picture></div></div></span></a></div><div class="SummaryItemContent-eiDYMl XMZX summary-em__ntent"><div class="RubricWrapper-dKmCNX gPBNpL bric SummaryItemRubric-dguGKN lapGFj summary-em__bric"><span class="RubricName-fVtemz cLxcNi">Mic</span></div><a class="SummaryItemHedLk-civM dVrbhU summary-em-trackg__hed-lk summary-em__hed-lk summary-em__hed-lk--unrle-disable" data-ponent-type="recirc-river" data-recirc-id="em-hed-2" data-recirc-pattern="summary-em" href="/story/ank-ocean-lu-guadagno-llaboratn" target="_self"><div data-ttid="ClampWrapper" class="ClampWrapper-kZxfkB hTTNGO clamp SummaryItemHedBase-hiFYpQ kBFaWv summary-em__hed"><div class="ClampContent-hilPkr jVhSBH"><div class="SummaryItemHedTag-TWblf gxaOcP" data-ttid="SummaryItemHed">Frank Ocean and Lu Guadagno Worked on Mic Vio Together, Director Says</div></div></div></a><div class="SummaryItemByleWrapper-boCfbi cuRXdL summary-em__byle-date-in"><div class="SummaryItemBaseByle-fFbXkY dHMSJg summary-em__byle"><div class="summary-em__byle__ntent"><div data-ttid="BylWrapper" class="BylWrapper-KIudk irTIfE byl"><p class="ByleWrapper-jWHrLH ecFEgL byle byl__byle" data-ttid="ByleWrapper" emProp="thor" emType="><span emProp="name" class="ByleNamWrapper-jbHncj fuDQVo"><span data-ttid="ByleName" class="ByleName-kwmrLn cYaBaU byle__name"><span class="BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd BaseText-ewhhUZ BylePreamble-iJolpQ iUEiRd bCbgyH gnILss byle__preamble">By </span>Michelle Hyun Kim</span></span></p></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="SummaryItemWrapper-iwvBff gjCHLu summary-em summary-em--has-le summary-em--article summary-em--no-in summary-em--text-align-left summary-em--layout-placement-text-below summary-em--layout-posn-image-left summary-em--layout-proportns-50-50 summary-em--si-by-si-align-center summary-em--si-by-si-image-right-mobile-false summary-em--standard SummaryCollectnGridSummaryItem-WColm hCwuiO" role="button" tabx="0"><div class="SummaryItemAssetContaer-gwhFFH VOyg summary-em__asset-ntaer"><a class="SummaryItemImageLk-dshqxb cPpCwE summary-em__image-lk summary-em-trackg__image-lk" href="/story/ank-ocean-prep-party" aria-hidn="te" tabx="-1" data-ponent-type="recirc-river" data-recirc-id="em-image-3" data-recirc-pattern="summary-em" target="_self"><span class="SpanWrapper-umhxW kGxnNB rponsive-asset SummaryItemRponsiveAsset-hjGIGg bDvSkO summary-em__image"><div data-tt="aspect-rat-ntaer" class="AspectRatContaer-bJHpJz cCcPgL"><div class="aspect-rat--overlay-ntaer"><picture class="RponsiveImagePicture-cWuUZO dUOtEa SummaryItemRponsiveAsset-hjGIGg bDvSkO summary-em__image rponsive-image"><noscript><source media="(max-width: 767px)" srcSet=" 120w, 240w, 320w, 640w" siz="100vw"/><source media="(m-width: 768px)" srcSet=" 120w, 240w, 320w, 640w" siz="100vw"/><img alt="Was 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Queer Moments om the 2020 Grammy Awards</div></div></div></a><div class="SummaryItemByleWrapper-boCfbi cuRXdL summary-em__byle-date-in"><div class="SummaryItemBaseByle-fFbXkY dHMSJg summary-em__byle"><div class="summary-em__byle__ntent"><div data-ttid="BylWrapper" class="BylWrapper-KIudk irTIfE byl"><p class="ByleWrapper-jWHrLH ecFEgL byle byl__byle" data-ttid="ByleWrapper" emProp="thor" emType="><span emProp="name" class="ByleNamWrapper-jbHncj fuDQVo"><span data-ttid="ByleName" class="ByleName-kwmrLn cYaBaU byle__name"><span class="BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd BaseText-ewhhUZ BylePreamble-iJolpQ iUEiRd bCbgyH gnILss byle__preamble">By </span>Michael Cuby</span></span></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="SummaryCollectnGridToActnWrapper-gnReGN eGayfk"></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="RowWrapper-UmqTg HEhan"><div class="TaboolaWrapper-hMVdpE iYfBhy"><div class="TaboolaWidgetWrapper-egPIjc hkSrgt TaboolaWidget-eUSdED hQCCRa" data-ttid="TaboolaWidgetWrapper"><div 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tyler the creator frank ocean gay

From Tyler, the Creator to Lil Nas X, hip-hop has never had so many stars who intify as gay or bisexual. Is this a blip or a turng pot?

Contents:

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

In a Rollg Ston terview, Odd Future lear Tyler, The Creator says he knew that sger Frank Ocean was gay before he me out publicly. * tyler the creator frank ocean gay *

While hip-hop and R&B, had been monly wrten off as herently homophobic, the rponse to Ocean’s emotnal letter was mostly posive, wh many praisg the one-of-a-kd talent for his bravens and honty. As a young gay Black boy who grew up stgglg to reckon my love for hip-hop, rap, and R&B wh the homophobic sentiments often rattled off, Frank’s g out was a pivotal moment — one that let me know I wasn’t alone and that society uld be ready to accept others like me, too.

Apparently, I wasn’t the only young gay Black boy who felt that sense of lmg support followg Ocean’s g out.

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

Last year, rapper Lil Nas X ed Twter to publicly e out as gay at the end of 2019 Pri Month. Now the 21-year-old viral phenom is revealg who spired him to share his sexual orientatn while domatg both hip-hop and untry, two genr that have a history of normalized homophobia. Monday, durg an terview wh Zane Lowe, the often mischievo entertaer opened up about how the bravery of other queer Black hip-hop/R&B artists like Frank Ocean and Tyler, the Creator gave him the ia that he uld do the same and still be succsful. * tyler the creator frank ocean gay *

Durg a recent holiday episo of Zane Lowe’s #AtHomeWhAppleMic show, Lil Nas X, an openly gay rapper himself, revealed how much Frank Ocean — and his close llaborator Tyler, The Creator, who is also openly queer — has meant for his reer. K., took the extraordary step of banng him om her untry bee his lyrics “enurage vlence and tolerance of homosexualy. ” Elsewhere, he search for a lover who looks like Leonardo DiCapr and brags about drivg wh a guy who looks like River Tyler’s now “out, ” ’s a landmark moment: He’d be the hight-profile queer male rapper a genre that, like all pop genr to varyg extents, has long trad homophobia.

In 2015, he tweeted, “I tried to e out the damn closet like four days ago and no one red hahahhahaha, ” and he rapped, “How n I be homophobic when my boyiend’s a fag? ” He’s referred to himself wh gay slurs over the years and has joked—or not joked—about havg a thg for eckly whe guys.

Then there’s this passage om a 2015 Rollg Stone profile by Ernt Baker:For the past two days I’ve wonred, is Tyler actually gay?

TYLER, THE CREATOR SAYS HE KNEW FRANK OCEAN WAS GAY

Frank Ocean, the mastermd behd Jay-Z and Kanye Wt's "No Church In The Wild," has officially e out and revealed that he is gay! Whether you believe or not, this is a big moment for the gay and black muni! * tyler the creator frank ocean gay *

I nnot emphasize how much gay humor plays a role the atmosphere around him. It’s like a ntuo loop of the “You know how I know you’re gay? “My iends are so ed to me beg gay, ” Tyler says, “they don't even re.

” I fally ask, Why all the gay humor? “Bee I’m gay as fuck, ” he says, whout a flch.

TYLER THE CREATOR 'PROUD OF' FRANK OCEAN FOR DISCSG {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.25 "GRAVY",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#FFFFFF;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.25 "GRAVY",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#FFFFFF;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}MICBY MTV NEWS STAFFJULY 5, 2012/10:38 AMBY MTV NEWS STAFFJULY 5, 2012 / 10:38 AM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"TYLER THE CREATOR 'PROUD OF' FRANK OCEAN FOR DISCSG SEXUALY","DATEPUBLISHED":"2012-07-05T14:38:16.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2012-07-05T14:38:16.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"MTV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"MTV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1280,"HEIGHT":720}},"CREATOR":"MTV NEWS STAFF","KEYWORDS":"HIP HOP","ARTICLESECTN":"MIC"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BY GIL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-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 ED HIS TUMBLR ACUNT TO DISCS HIS SEXUALY WH FANS THIS WEEK, OPENG UP ABOUT A PREV RELATNSHIP WH A MAN. AND WHILE THE CISN CERTALY ULDN'T HAVE BEEN AN EASY ONE TO MAKE, THE TALENTED SGER/SONGWRER HAS SUPPORTERS HIS RNER. HIS ODD FUTURE HORT TYLER, THE CREATOR ADMS THAT HE'S PROUD OF OCEAN, WHILE RSELL SIMMONS NTENDS THAT 'S A FG MOMENT FOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DID FRANK OCEAN DROP HTS ABOUT HIS SEXUALY IN OLD LYRICS? {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ONE OF THE FIRST TO BACK OCEAN UP WAS ODD FUTURE MAJOR DOMO TYLER, THE CREATOR, WHO OFFERED SUPPORT HIS OWN UNIQUE, IRREVERENT WAY. "MY BIG BROTHER FALLY F---G DID THAT," TWEETED TYLER ON WEDNDAY. "PROUD OF THAT N---A E I KNOW THAT SH-- IS DIFFICULT OR WHATEVER. ANYWAY. I'M A TOILET."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DEF JAM RERDS -FOUNR RSELL SIMMONS ALSO HAILED THE BRAVE ACTN BY OCEAN TO DISCS HIS SAME-SEX FIRST LOVE LIGHT OF THE HISTORY OF LATENT HOMOPHOBIA HIP-HOP. IN A POST ENTLED "THE COURAGE OF FRANK OCEAN JT CHANGED THE GAME!" SIMMONS WROTE, "TODAY IS A BIG DAY FOR HIP-HOP. IT IS A DAY THAT WILL FE WHO WE REALLY ARE. HOW PASSNATE WILL WE BE? HOW LOVG N WE BE? HOW CLIVE ARE WE? I AM PROFOUNDLY MOVED BY THE URAGE AND HONTY OF FRANK OCEAN. YOUR CISN TO GO PUBLIC ABOUT YOUR SEXUAL ORIENTATN GIV HOPE AND LIGHT TO SO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE STILL LIVG FEAR. THE TYP OF SECRETS SHOULD NOT MATTER ANYMORE, BUT WE KNOW THEY DO."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CALLG OCEAN'S TALENT'S "UNNIABLE" AND "ENORMO" AND HIS BRAVERY "CREDIBLE," SIMMONS HOPED THAT THE SGER'S ACTNS WILL, "UPLIFT OUR NSCNS AND ALLOW TO BEE BETTER PEOPLE. EVERY SGLE ONE OF IS BORN WH PEACE AND TRANQUILY OUR HEART. FRANK JT FOUND HIS." OCEAN'S MOTHER, KATONYA BREX RILEY, TWEETED HER PRI HER "BRAVE AND HONT" SON, WRG, "I WISH MORE PEOPLE THE WORLD ULD BE BRAVE ENOUGH TO BE WHO THEY REALLY ARE ... THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE SHOWN LOVE AND SUPPORT. MY SON IS THE MOST CREDIBLE HUMAN I KNOW. HONT, TE AND LOVG. WE APPRECIATE YOU!" SHE ALSO RE-TWEETED A NOTE OM SOLANGE KNOWL, WHO SAID, "I SALUTE YOU, BRAVE SOUL. INPENNCE DAY."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN HIS TUMBLR SAY, OCEAN OPENED UP ABOUT HIS FIRST LOVE, A YOUNG MAN HE SPENT A HANDFUL OF SUMMERS WH BEGNG AT AGE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"WHOEVER YOU ARE, WHEREVER YOU ARE ... I'M STARTG TO THK WE'RE A LOT ALIKE," HE BEGAN. "HUMAN BEGS SPNG ON BLACKNS. ALL WANTG TO BE SEEN, TOUCHED, PAID ATTENTN TO." THE LENGTHY LETTER, TLED "THANK YOU'S," TAILS A RELATNSHIP OCEAN HAD WH A MAN, WHO TURNS OUT HAD A GIRLIEND JT AS FRANK HAD HAD, AND THE TUMULTUO EMOTNS THAT FOLLOWED. "HE WOULDN'T TELL ME THE TTH ABOUT HIS FEELGS FOR ME FOR ANOTHER 3 YEARS," OCEAN NTU BEFORE ADDG, "I ULDN'T IMAGE KEEPG UP MY LIFE WHOUT HIM."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BEE THE EMOTIVE OCEAN ONLY SANG OVERTLY ABOUT HETEROSEXUAL RELATNSHIPS, HIS SEXUALY HAD NEVER E TO QUTN, UNTIL EARLIER THIS WEEK WHEN MORS ABOUT HIS POSSIBLE BISEXUALY BEGAN TO CIRCULATE AFTER A HIP-HOP SE REFERENCED LYRICS OM OCEAN'S UPG ALBUM, CHANNEL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THEN, A BBC 1 XTRA WRER POSTED AN EARLY REVIEW OF THE ALBUM ON HER PERSONAL BLOG, NOTG THAT ON THE SONGS "BAD RELIGN," "PK MATTER" AND "FORRT GUMP," THE SGER ED PRONOUNS LIKE "HIM" STEAD OF "HER."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE LOS ANGEL TIM POSTED A STORY SPECULATG ABOUT WHETHER OCEAN'S HONTY ABOUT HIS SEXUALY ULD PH THE MIL BOUNDARI OF HIP-HOP ON THE EVE OF THE RELEASE OF HIS MAJOR-LABEL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"THE STRAIGHTFORWARD LETTER ... IS UNDOUBTEDLY THE GLASS CEILG MOMENT FOR MIC," WRER GERRICK D. KENNEDY PREDICTED. "ESPECIALLY BLACK MIC, WHICH HAS LONG BEEN SPERATE NEED OF A VOICE LIKE OCEAN'S TO BREAK THE LAYERS OF HOMOPHOBIA. THERE ARE PLENTY OF REASONS THIS MOMENT HAS SO MUCH WEIGHT. TOO MANY FOR ANY SGLE ARTICLE TO EXPLORE ... OCEAN HAS NEVER TALKED AT LENGTH ABOUT HIS PERSONAL LIFE, LEAVG HIS MIC AND S OFTEN-PLEX NARRATIV TO DRIVE THE NVERSATN. BUT A CULTURE WHERE THE GOSSIP CREASGLY AND TRATGLY OUTWEIGHS THE MIC, OCEAN'S SUAL AND NDID APPROACH TO ADDRSG HIS PERSONAL LIFE, AND REVEALG HIS PERSONAL TTH OF HAVG LOVED A MAN, WILL BE SEEN AS GROUNDBREAKG."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ON THE HEELS OF CNN ANCHOR ANRSON COOPER'S G OUT OF THE CLOSET, KENNEDY NOTED THAT OCEAN'S REVEAL WAS NOT DONE A MAGAZE VER STORY, THROUGH ANONYMO SOURC OR WH A PUBLIC RELATNS-ORCHTRATED PH. IN FACT, HIS LETTER NEVER ONCE THE TERMS "GAY" OR "BISEXUAL."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"OCEAN TOLD HIS STORY ON HIS TERMS AND HIS OWN WORDS, SOMETHG VIRTUALLY UNHEARD OF HIP-HOP AND R&B -- GENR HE HAS ALREADY PHED FORWARD ARTISTILLY WH HIS WORK, AND ULD PH FURTHER."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}HIP {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

Dad claims Frank is a “d” for llg him out for alleged gay slur while workg wh “homophobic bigot” Tyler * tyler the creator frank ocean gay *

Serly, are you gay? “I one hundred percent would go gay for ’96 Leo.

Ocean’s news me om an open letter which he talked about a relatnship wh a man; he still hasn’t publicly intified wh a label, whether “bisexual” or “gay” or “queer, ” and his songs sp stori about affairs wh both genrs. Tyler has cheekily accepted and rejected the term “gay” over the years, and he don’t e on Flower Boy, an album preoccupied wh matters of the heart. “The homie not gay, he jt lik dus, ” Odd Future associate Mike G tweeted after Flower Boy’s lyrics began to leak onle.

”Tyler’s reer now and before, though, actually shows the extent to which such words do have fixed meangs—and gay slurs rerce a stigma that he may well have stggled wh. “I’m not homophobic.

*BEAR-MAGAZINE.COM* TYLER THE CREATOR FRANK OCEAN GAY

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