Why is Frank Oceanâs Music so Godly?
Frank Ocean is a musical icon who creates songs that are difficult to confine to a single genre. Although music streaming platforms like iTunes may label him as pop, his songwriting skills and unique sonic decisions unify to create a contemporary combination of R&B, hip-hop, and soul with flares of alternative characteristics. Pop, at times, is used as an umbrella term to categorize popular music, which may help justify iTunesâ labeling of Frankâs music as such, since he is an extremely beloved artist. Honestly, thatâs the only reason this misleading label could be explained. I say this because his music avoids falling into the stereotypical simplicity of most other music labeled as âpop.â He creates complex vocal melodies that reflect the sincerity and storytelling that is so frequently present within his songs. His lyrics avoid the expected repetitiveness and elementary song structure that can be heard in todayâs top charts. Listeners refer to him as a legendary, boundary-breaking pop artist, if they refer to him as pop at all.
Frank Oceanâs music has created a cult-like fan base. Perhaps this can be accredited to the principle of homophily (the idea that people who are similar in sociodemographic characteristics are more likely to interact with each other as opposed to those who are dissimilar). The evening I finally caught Frank in the flesh at Londonâs Lovebox Music Festival, the demographic of concert-goers had an age range of about sixteen to thirty. The only grey hairs I saw had been died the lightest shade of platinum. The crowd was also racially diverse, consisting of people who were white, black, Indian, Asian, and anything in between. What is really notable about the demographic of Frank Oceanâs fan base is the presence of the LGBTQ+ community within it. That being said, I know itâs difficult to tell what someoneâs sexual orientation is just by looking at them, but I like to pride myself, as a queer woman, on having some level of an accurate âgaydar.â I also had friends, who I know are gay, make it a point to be present for his set. Frankâs open discussion of experiences related to his sexuality (a recurring theme within his music) provides a comfortable environment for the queer community to exist.Â
The historical exclusion and persecution of LGBTQ+ persons from religious groups, most notably the Catholic church, is undeniable. Frank, as a gay man, made a conscious decision to include musical elements that are specific to church settings in the songs Solo, Godspeed, and Bad Religion. He consciously uses chord progressions that are typically heard in Church music. His unrefined voice floats over these progressions with minimal production behind it. As this podcast recognizes, this creates an atmosphere similar to that of a confessional booth. It should also be noted that in the song Bad Religion, these progressions are played on an instrument typically used in churches -- an organ. Maybe this is why when people asked me how Frank was live, I instinctively told them âit was the most spiritual experience Iâve ever had.â Maybe this is why his music has been described as a âgift from god.âÂ
The chord progressions he makes use of are known as musical cadences, which have a sound that can be described as ending in resolution. The Amen Cadence (or the Plagal Cadence) is a specific one that Frank utilizes. It is habitually heard in Church at the end of hymns. Artistic expression is shaped by social organizations, and evidently Frank allows his work to be influenced by the musical elements of a community that has historically ostracized people like himself, perhaps to make a commentary on the occurrence of such. As a Frank fan and a member of the LGBTQ+ community, these characteristics have encouraged me to find the type of solace within his music that others may find in places like Church. Decisions to include sonic elements that are associated with places of worship over lyrics discussing homosexual relationships combines with Frankâs incredible vocals to create art that is both moving and divine.Â
As previously mentioned, a Frank Ocean concert is a reflection of his work -- powerful, unique, and for many, spiritual. He builds solidarity and community within the fan base by evoking a collective meaning -- that being some type of a deviation from any or every part of the white, male, heterosexual, catholic norm is okay. With that being said, it is clear that Frankâs presence within the music industry and society is more than important. I say this knowing that âmusic is in dynamic relation with social life, helping to invoke, stabilize, and change the parameters of agency, collective and individualâ (DeNora).Â
Frank did tell us âIâm just a guy / Iâm not a Godâ, but he definitely channels his inner higher power to sanctify his music, resulting in a devout, cult-like fan base and maybe even causing an altered and increasingly positive perception of those who deviate from the norm, in society and within themselves.
