Frank Ocean

Christopher Edwin Breaux, known professionally as Frank Ocean, is an American singer-songwriter and rapper born on October 28, 1987. Credited by several music critics as a pioneer of the alternative R&B genre, Ocean is known for his solo music, songwriting, and work with the hip hop collective Odd Future. His accolades include two Grammy Awards and a Brit Award, and he was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time in 2013.

Ocean was born in Long Beach, California, to Calvin Cooksey and Katonya Breaux Riley. Raised by his mother following his parents' divorce, he moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, at age five. His maternal grandfather, Lionel McGruder Jr., became a key father figure and inspired his nickname Lonny as well as his song "Crack Rock." Ocean graduated from John Ehret High School in 2005 and enrolled at the University of New Orleans to study English. After Hurricane Katrina destroyed his home and personal recording facility, he briefly attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette before dropping out to focus on music.

In 2006, Ocean moved to Los Angeles, taking service jobs while writing songs for artists such as Justin Bieber, Beyoncé, John Legend, and Brandy. He adopted the stage name Frank Ocean, inspired by Frank Sinatra and the film Ocean's 11, and joined Odd Future in 2010. After signing a writing contract with Def Jam Recordings, he independently self-released his debut mixtape, Nostalgia, Ultra, in February 2011 to critical acclaim. Its success led to high-profile collaborations, including co-writing and featuring on tracks for Kanye West and Jay-Z's album Watch the Throne.

Ocean released his debut studio album, Channel Orange, in 2012 to universal critical acclaim. Fusing R&B, soul, jazz, funk, and electronic music, the album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200. At the 55th Annual Grammy Awards, Channel Orange won Best Urban Contemporary Album and was nominated for Album of the Year, while its lead single "Thinkin Bout You" received a Record of the Year nomination. Ocean promoted the record with concert tours in 2012 and 2013, and won the Brit Award for International Male Solo Artist in 2013.

In August 2016, Ocean released the visual album Endless to fulfill his contract with Def Jam. After buying back his master recordings and parting with the label, he independently released his second studio album, Blonde, the following day. Blonde debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 and topped Pitchfork's list of the Best Albums of the 2010s Decade.

Since 2017, Ocean has released sporadic singles and expanded into new ventures. He has worked as a magazine photographer, launched the fashion brand Homer, and started Homer Radio. In total, 15 of his songs have entered the Billboard Hot 100, and four of his releases have earned platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America.