Hip-hop and R&B rapper Frank Ocean has sensationally revealed via a post on his Tumblr page on Tuesday that his first love was for a male, implying that he is either gay or bisexual.
The news may come as a shock to some, while others had been speculating about the possibility for a while - something which the Odd Future star self refers to in his message, saying: “...but with all the rumors going round.. I figured it’d be good to clarify.”
Ocean wrote: “4 summers ago, I met somebody. I was 19 years old. He was too. We spent that summer, and the summer after, together. Everyday almost. And on the days we were together, time would glide. Most of the day I'd see him, and his smile. Sleep I would often share with him. By the time I realised I was in love, it was malignant. It was hopeless. There was no escaping, no negotiating to the women I had been with, the ones I cared for and thought I was in love with.
“I sat there and told my friend how I felt. I wept as the words left my mouth. I grieved for then. Knowing I could never take them back for myself. He patted my back. He said kind things. He did his best, but he wouldn't admit the same. He had to go back inside soon. It was late and his girlfriend was waiting for him upstairs. He wouldn't tell the truth about his feelings for me for another 3 years. I felt like I'd only imagined reciprocity for years.”
He continued: “I kept up a peculiar friendship with him because I couldn't imagine keeping up my life without him. I struggled to master myself and my emotions. I wasn't always successful. I don't know what happens now, and that's alright. I don't have any secrets I need kept any more. There's probably some small shit still, but you know what I mean. I was never alone, as much as it felt like it. As much as I still do sometimes. I never was. I don't think I ever could be. Thanks. To my first love, I'm grateful for you.
“Grateful that even though it wasn't what I hoped for and even though it was never enough, it was. Some things never are. And we were. I won't forget you. I won't forget the summer. I'll remember who I was when I met you. I'll remember who you were and how we've both changed and stayed the same. To my mother. You raised me strong. I know I'm only brave because you were first. So thank you. All of you. For everything good. I feel like a free man. If I listen closely, I can hear the sky falling too.”
The news is a massive milestone for hip-hop and rap, a controversial genre whose artists have often been accused of homophobia - while some are pretty open about their distaste for gay people. Kanye West once told a magazine in 2004 that he 'wouldn't feel comfortable at a gay bar. I wouldn't go to a gay parade’, whilst Eminem’s 2000 track ‘Criminal’ features the lyrics ‘Whether you're a fag or a lez, Or the homosex, hermaph or a trans-vest, Pants or dress - hate fags? The answer's yes.'
The announcement has been met with positive reactions as of yet, not least from his superstar bandmate Tyler, the Creator (who himself has been accused of homophobia, especially for his excessive use of the word ‘fag’), who’s said: “My Big Brother Finally Fucking Did That. Proud Of That Nigga Cause I Know That Shit Is Difficult Or Whatever. Anyway. I'm A Toilet.”
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