Singer Frank Ocean Comes Out: “I Was In Love With A Man”

Singer Frank Ocean has confirmed suspicions regarding his sexuality a la Anderson Cooper several days ago. The Odd Future member has officially come out as gay, or at least bisexual.

Rumors started to run rampant about Ocean after a few songs on his upcoming Channel Orange reference a “he” instead of a “she” where traditionally, a hip hop song would mention a “she”. He kept quiet despite the circling rumors, notes Global Grind, but then ultimately decided to pen an open letter detailing his very first love affair… with another man.

What makes this story so remarkable is that “The revelation makes him the first hip hop star to publicly address a sexual attraction to men,” says TMZ.

The letter recalls a 19-year-old Ocean falling in love for the first time. It was supposed to appear in the liner for his upcoming album, but a UK blogger got ahold of it early and outed him, causing Ocean to post it to his Tumblr page to clear the air:

“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. I’d hear his conversation and his silence.. Until it was time to sleep. Sleep I would often share with him. By the time I realized I was in love, it was malignant.”

“I don’t have any secrets I need kept anymore … I feel like a free man,” Ocean added.

Due to the hostility in the hip-hop arena toward homosexuals, many are hoping that Ocean’s courageous declaration will encourage more support within the genre, notes the Examiner. Seems things are already off to a healthy start, with band-mate Tyler the Creator tweeting, “My Big Brother Finally F***ing Did That. Proud Of That N***a Cause I Know That Shit Is Difficult Or Whatever,” just after word broke.

Channel Orange is set to drop July 17.

Are you surprised by Frank Oceans’s announcement?