Frank Ocean says his experience of being queer in the music industry has been ‘pretty smooth so far’
The 'Nikes' singer has been interviewed by stars including 'Poses' Billy Porter for Dazed's summer 2019 issue.
By Will Stroude
Words: Will Stroude
Frank Ocean has said that his experience of being a queer man in the music industry has been “pretty smooth so far.”
The Grammy-nominated singer, who first publicly opened up about his relationships with men in 2012 following the release of his acclaimed debut album Channel Orange, was asked about his rare positon in the business by Pose star Billy Porter for the summer 2019 issue of Dazed.
Ocean, who remains one of the few high-profile artists in the R&B genre to come out publicly, was asked by Porter: “How are you navigating being queer in the music business? Do you feel marginalized? If so, why do you think this is the case?”
The 31-year-old singer replied: “I navigate it pretty smooth so far,” adding: “If anything my personal life needs the GPS sometimes.”
Ocean was also posed questions by stars including John Waters, Janet Mock, Adwoa Aboah and Rosalisa for Dazed’s ‘Futuretopias’ issue, which hits newsstands on Thursday (13 June).
Asked by Rosalia whether he feels he “belongs to this world and time”, Ocean replied: “Yes, very much so. But I also sense I could have just as easily happened to be at any point in history.”
It was only a a few weeks ago the enigmatic star, whose last album, Blonde, was released in 2016, revealed that he’s been in a relationship for the last three years.
“I don’t use dating apps. I’ve been in a relationship for three years,” he told Gayletter.
“I definitely wasn’t using dating apps before then. I don’t think I would use dating apps now.
“I fuck with Marc Jacobs’ philosophy on that, so, I wouldn’t rule it out, but it is a little hectic being a famous person on dating app.”
Dazed summer 2019 ‘Futuretopias’ issue goes on sale Thursday 13 June.
Frank Ocean, photographed by WIlly Vanderperre and styled by Robbie Spencer for Dazed’s summer 2019 ‘Futuretopias’ issue