Fans of Frank Ocean have been on their own, or “Solo”, since not hearing any new music from the elusive artist since 2020. This has meant many sad “Nights” for “Lost” listeners of Ocean.
Even then, the 2020 drop only included two singles, and the world has yet to hear a full album since 2016 when Blonde was released. No one knows for certain why Ocean has gone quiet, but there are some theories.
One reddit fan muses that an injury to Frank Ocean’s ankle during rehearsals in a 2023 Coachella performance could be reason for the singer’s long break. However, this doesn’t really check out since the performance happened in 2023 and the music stopped in 2020.
Another reason for the disappearance could simply be that Covid hit the United States heavily in 2019, and everyone’s lives were deeply affected. Ocean could have made a decision to stop putting out songs after this era of quarantine hit the country.
Other skeptics think perhaps the pressure to create another chart-topping album could have swayed the artist away from the appeal of producing music. To be fair, both his albums Blonde and Channel Orange remain staples in countless playlists on streaming platforms, regardless of the fact they were released in 2016 and 2012, respectively. Even though his 2011 album Nostalgia, Ultra has not retained as much attention, it is a breakout hit nonetheless.
Although these reasons for Ocean’s silence are mostly logical, the most compelling theory of his disappearance is the artist’s loss of his brother, Ryan Breaux. Breaux tragically was killed in a car accident in 2020 at the age of only 18 years old. This unspeakable loss, happening in the same year as his last release, is most likely the reason for Ocean’s step away from the spotlight.
In all reality, Frank Ocean’s lack of new music is probably a combination of Covid lockdown, pressure to perform, and grieving a family member. But all hope is not lost, as Ocean did tease fans at his 2023 Coachella performance that a new album was in the works. Whether this is true or not, until the day new music drops again, Frank Ocean, I know I will be “In My Room” “Thinkin Bout You”.
