One of the most important aspects of Frank’s success is that he understands his value. Frank is another artist in a long list of great who’ve created blueprints for the next generation to profit off of their work. The industry was created to confuse people without the resources to understand. He forced Def Jam to quickly cancel all Apple exclusive deals as payback for the move and proved there’s ways for artists to build their own leverage in this industry.īy paying attention, and deeply understanding the game you’re moving in, you can create a foundation to build wealth off your art while retaining ownership. For me, it’s about Why am I doing this? What exactly do I want from this? And how do I get those specific things I want out of this? And what does success look like on those terms? And what does failure look like on those terms? That’s how I think about it now.” Aftermath of Frank Ocean’s Finesse (Getty)įrank’s deal is immortalized in the industry forever. “That’s how I try to make decisions in my life and career, and, if asked, I share that philosophy with anybody who asks. If those things don’t help you reach your defined priorities, then what are those things there for?” So anybody having a clear idea - even if it’s as crass as “how much money do I want to make, specifically?” - I think that’s much clearer than some of these other things that represent success, whether that’s X amount of spins or streams or plaques. Then you may get to a point in your experience where you become disillusioned with those things. I think that helps you become prey, because somebody can manipulate you with those things. They have to do with tropes of success, things they’ve been shown over the years that represent what a successful career is. A lot of people I talk to about careers in the music industry, their ideas of success have to do with nostalgia.

It’s easy to get disillusioned with a career in the arts. It’s important to reflect on where you want to go, specifically and what success really looks like to you. He notes however, that purpose and intention are big parts of the journey. (Getty)įrank did something few artists ever get the chance to do, and he came out with a huge financial payoff in the end.

The plan is legendary, and a huge win for artists around the world in terms of ownership over your art, career and livelihood. Just as labels have found ways to move around artists, Frank found a way to move around them. The reality is that the music business is just that, a business. Anytime you get into the business side of the arts, there has to be some degree of objectification or commodification that you’re comfortable with, of yourself and of your work.” “Well, fucking with major music companies, you’re going to be…deflowered. It’s definitely a period I look back on fondly.” I love the music and the art that came out of that period, as well as the visual work. “I feel at peace with all that,” Frank explains in an interview with GAYLETTER, “I feel like the best outcome for myself was that outcome, and I feel proud of what I was able to get done with it.

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