“It’s never lost on me that I don’t have access to my real name. “It’s never lost on me that my surname is a by-product of slavery in the US,” he says of Breaux, a common surname in a part of the country that saw enslaved African people brought to the area by the French in 1718.

Homer high-jewellery white-gold and diamond Sphere Legs bracelet, $271,500 Homer gold, diamond and enamel Jester on Dice pendant, $5,700

Singer-songwriter Frank Ocean, founder of Homer © Jesse Gouveia He’s a regular here, handsome but understated, wearing a white vest and a diamond earring and a necklace from the new line. When he walks his bike through the lobby of the Mercer Hotel in SoHo on an aggressively humid summer afternoon, no one looks twice. Neither does he court the attention normally afforded to someone of his stature. It was a bold, defiant statement, and a practice he has stuck to, to this day. The latter was a critically well-received contractual obligation, the former received more acclaim and came as a total surprise. He self-released his album Blonde in 2016 the day after Endless was released by Def Jam. A queer cult figure in an age of disposable celebrity, Ocean remains sphinx-like on social media, and prefers to present his projects as fait accompli. But Ocean has always functioned by being unpredictable. Five years since he last released an album, and following a period in which his appearances have been elusive, the new launch marks an unexpected return to the public gaze. The 33-year-old singer-songwriter, who appeared in Time’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world when he was in his mid-20s, is discussing the origins behind his new luxury brand, called Homer, which is launching with a 25-piece collection of mostly fine and some high jewellery. But I don’t have one because I get super-seasick.” It was the furthest thing from my actual life at the time, and I began plotting ideas and a life in that universe. They became a form of play for me as a child. My godfather was into guns, but he was also into cars, and he bought luxury-lifestyle magazines, which I became obsessed with. “My mother was into jewellery, but in a low-key Princess Diana kind of way. “I’m wearing a gold bracelet, gold rings and a gold chain,” says the reclusive, industry-disrupting recording artist. The wording of the report itself is also worth special attention, particularly with regards to the sources having described the album as “fucking great.” Of course, it’s difficult to imagine anyone hearing new Frank Ocean music and not sharing that exact same (alleged) assessment.One of Frank Ocean’s favourite photographs of himself was taken when he was a baby. And while any true fan is fully supportive of great work often taking great amounts of time, it’s hard to deny that detailed updates about the follow-up-especially if the latest report turns out to be accurate-are a pleasant change of pace.Ī report from Hits Daily Double alleges Ocean has indeed been “shopping a new album.” The outlet’s sources say Ocean is being represented by attorney Laurie Soriano-a partner in the entertainment division of the King, Holmes, Paterno & Soriano firm-and that meetings with industry executives are being taken. During those meetings, according to the report, new music from Ocean is being played.Ĭomplex has reached out to a rep for Soriano for comment. Frank Ocean’s Blonde, though its carefully assembled inner workings are unquestionably timeless, turned five entire years young back in August.

Both frank ocean albums