West coast collective Odd Future continues to garner heavy amounts of media attention not just for their controversial lyrics, but their critically acclaimed output over the last year as well. With the release of Tyler’s Goblin and the warm reception of OFWGKTA crooner Frank Ocean by music critics, these two young stars are currently responsible for igniting Odd Future’s current good fortunes.
Tyler The Creator’s second LP is actually the rapper/producer’s first retail release (The first, Bastard, was offered for free online). British indie powerhouse XL Recordings invested in the 20-year Los Angeles native and it seems like their decision to do so is paying dividends. Goblin managed to debut at number five on the Billboard 200 charts and is also the number one R&B/Hip Hop and Independent album category leader. The album sold over 50,000 copies in its first week.
While this is news aplenty for the OF outfit to bask in, the Wolf Gang’s resident vocalist has been also been a darling within the music blogosphere of late. Singer and songwriter Frank Ocean and his debut mixtape Nostalgia, Ultra has fans clamoring for more. Even those who aren’t Odd Future fans have found ways to connect to the smooth vocal style of Ocean. Signed to Def Jam in 2009, he wasn’t being developed as a front running artist although in the background he penned songs for Justin Bieber, Beyoncé, and has future collaborative works with Neptunes producer Pharrell Williams and rap legend Nas.
After releasing Nostalgia, Ultra for free through his Tumblr site, Frank Ocean has become a sought after commodity with fans even downloading an unofficial 60-plus track mixtape The Lonny Breaux Collection which reportedly were references vocal tracks and unreleased songs over the years. Frank Ocean also has seemed to awaken the interest of the sleeping giant at his label. Possibly due in part to his mixtape’s success, Def Jam will strip down Ocean’s mixtape LP to an EP format and using the same project title at an undermined time this summer.
Tyler and his ragtag gang of crazy compatriots just completed a brief slate of European and domestic east coast shows. The OF captain’s next single and video is for the Frank Ocean-assisted “She” which according to his management team will be coming soon.
Frank Ocean fans should be collectively rejoicing as the singer just dropped a video for a previously unreleased track "Acura Integurl" and showcases more of Ocean's distinctive tenor and clever lyrics which mesh well with the atmospheric clip. The video can be found here.
What do you think of Tyler The Creator and Frank Ocean getting so many props? Tweet to us at @MTVRapFix or leave us a comment below.