Frank Ocean’s new album, “Blonde,” was released independently and not through his Def Jam Records label, which Ocean has now effectively left, according to Forbes.
“Blonde” is the second studio album by the enigmatic R&B auteur, and it has been getting glowing reviews.
Ocean’s visual album “Endless” reportedly fulfilled the singer’s contract with Def Jam and its parent Universal Music Group (UMG) when he released it on Apple Music on Friday — just a day before he released “Blonde.”
Though it’s unclear whether Ocean’s now-former label was initially aware of his release plan, one can safely assume that UMG is not pleased with losing out on the sales and streaming of “Blonde,” which is expected to debut at No. 1 on Billboard’s album chart. (UMG has not yet responded to a request for comment from Business Insider.)
As a result, the copyright insignia for “Blonde,” which is currently streaming exclusively on Apple Music, belongs to Ocean’s new independent label, Boys Don’t Cry.
Taking full control of your own brand and coins, and making your former bank major label salty af about the ends they will never see? Ok, Frank! I see you.
