Frank Ocean’s critically acclaimed sophomore album, Blonde, has surged back into the upper ranks of the Billboard 200 chart, claiming its highest position in eight years.
Originally released in 2016, the album debuted at number one and garnered 275,000 album-equivalent sales in its first week. This resurgence has seen Blonde currently sit at No. 34, as reported by Chart Data on Tuesday, May 28.
Blonde, widely celebrated for its artistic depth, features collaborations with notable artists like Tyler, the Creator, Pharrell, and André 3000. These contributions have solidified the album’s status as one of Ocean’s finest works.
Despite not releasing much new music since Blonde, Ocean’s influence in the music industry has remained steadfast. His unique sound and innovative approach continue to resonate with both fans and fellow artists.
André 3000, in particular, has maintained a close professional relationship with Ocean. Before the release of André’s album, New Blue Sun, he sought feedback from Ocean and Tyler, the Creator. The three artists convened at Tyler’s house, listening to new material and exchanging creative insights. This session highlighted the mutual respect and admiration among these influential musicians.
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Tyler, the Creator, known for his eclectic tastes and artistic vision, drew inspiration from this listening session. He reportedly likened the experience to chasing a butterfly through a garden, a metaphor that helped him solve a personal creative puzzle.
Frank Ocean’s Blonde is not his only great project. His discography includes two studio albums, one visual album, one mixtape, and several singles and music videos. His first major project was the mixtape Nostalgia, Ultra, released in February 2011. It produced the singles “Novacane” and “Swim Good.” The mixtape garnered attention and led to his first single charting on the US Billboard Hot 100.
